| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
DJ, If your dealer installed your new shock, you got the new front mount which in turn required the relocation of the voltage regulator. The 2001+ version Showa shocks are nearly 2" shorter than the initial recall Showa shocks. That 2" difference in length would raise the rear end by 4". The bike would be nearly unridable due to the drastic geometry change. The rear of the bike would be ridiculously high. It would not "overstretch" the shock though (geez Neil).  | ||
| Djkaplan |
Blake, Not sure what the hell is going on now, my voltage regulator is still in the exact same location. Remember, I do not have the revised front muffler mount. Maybe I have the revised shock mount and don't realize it? | ||
| Bomber |
Blake . . . .. I bought my Y2K M2 with the SRP . . . the dealer replaced it with the updated shock, and did not change the forward muffler mount/voltage regualtor -- the bike sits in the same attitude as it did before . . . . could be I'm just misunderstanding | ||
| Ccryder |
Bomber you not misunderstanding, Blake just jumped the recall/ upgrade cycle. While most Buelligans had the "Y" mount installed when the shock was upgraded, it was not always true (although it was very convienent because of the same bolts holding things together). With the shock up grade you could maintain the old front header support and thus your VR did not change it's orientation. When the "Y" header support was installed it required turning the VR 90deg. It is difficult to keep track of all these interations even for us avid Buelligans. When Sparky got the "Y" mount at Buell Home Comming in 00, I think she was about the 2nd or 3rd bike to have it installed. At that time the upgrade bulletin was not even released and the "Y" mount didn't even have a P/N. GottaGO Neil S. | ||
| Blake |
Neil is correct. My bad. The new front header mount, not the new front shock mount, necessitated repositioning of the voltage regulator. Sorry for the cornfusion.  | ||
| Aaron |
The new shock is also 1.77" shorter  And is the swingarm ratio 2:1? I was thinking it was 3:2 for some reason. Maybe I been sniffing too many exhaust fumes lately, though. | ||
| Leeaw |
And Buell will charge you a $100 goodwill fee for having your dealer install the new Y-mount. I just bought the part instead for $93. | ||
| Blake |
 Aaron, I've always guesstimated a roughly 2:1 ratio. Some rough measuring confirms that 2:1 is pretty close. I took the pic at 3X zoom to diminish 3-D perspective effects. Also, I disassembled my WP shock the other day, it's stroke is right at 2.5" Plus the old rear squat spec (axle to tail vertical squat) was 1.25" to 1.75" where the new spec is 17.0" to 17.4" (shock eye-to-eye length). My shock measures 16.5" eye-to-eye fully unloaded (retracted), so the new squat specified at the shock translates to 0.5" to 0.9" (17"-16.5"=0.5" to 17.4"-16.5"=0.9" ). At 2:1 those squat specs would translate to an equivalent 1" to 1.8" vertical squat between axle and tail section. Pretty close to the original specs. | ||
| Ara |
FYI, I wasn't charged ANYTHING for the new Y-mount header hanger. But they nicked me for $50 labor to install the new fuel tank which was also a goodwill replacement. There doesn't seem to be much consistency in our experiences with the goodwill replacement program, and I think it must be because the dealerships have the flexibility to implement the factory replacement program their own way. | ||
| Vwolf |
Thanks Blake have it all, everything is correct. Vwolf | ||
| Uwgriz |
I'm guessing with vast knowledege on this board, someone can answer this for me... I have a buddy with a '00 M2 who happens to be a bit short. He bought the bike before there was an M2L but could really use one. I know some of the height difference comes from the seat and some from the suspension. My question is, I know it's a different shock for the rear, but what about the front? Is there anything different or is the thinking that the slight change in the rear isn't really enough to mess up the overall geometry? Basically, can I convert his bike by simply switching out the shock? I don't plan to switch the seat, he just needs a little help. I know switching the seat is obviously a whole lot easier but he's more of a whiner about his butt on long rides than he is about suspension setups. And it's on his coin, unless we can find someone who wants to trade shocks... | ||
| Blake |
The front suspension will need modified as well. Shorter stiffer springs will likely be in order. | ||
| Buellish |
My dealer submitted a goodwill request for an upgrade shock Monday. And called me yesterday to tell me that Barbra at Buell customer service turned down the request,based on the recall not affecting my '96.But thanks to the Badweb,I know thats not true.The problem is I am unable to open and print the above Rear Shock, '95-'00 (Service Buelletin).I've made several attempts,with no luck. If somone could download it and send it to me as an e-mail attachment I would really appreciate it! buellish1@yahoo.com Thanks Mike | ||
| Mikej |
Done, enjoy. MikeJ | ||
| Rempss |
Are all of the shorter shocks (15.5"+- eye-eye)the same unit? Same spring & internal assemblies? Just the shock & remote reservoir, not the mounting. I know the M2L must have a different mount. Jeff | ||
| Smokin84 |
Has anyone tried the aluminum swing arm isolators from ASB? | ||
| Grndskpr |
does anybody know if the lower fork legs can be removed or replaced, and if so how is it done, thanks for the input Roger | ||
| Blake |
Smokin, Snail has. I rode his S3. Felt great to me. | ||
| Saeanddte |
I need a little advice on how to proceed in taking care of a leaking recall replacement shock on my 98 S3T. I am not the original owner of the bike and the recall was performed prior to my purchasing the bike. While riding two up with my wife the other day I suddenly realized that the shock was very soft and bottoming out. I brought it in to my local dealer and found out that the shock has in fact leaked and that is needs replaced. He submitted a request to Buell for a "Goodwill" replacement but after a couple of weeks he still has not recieved an answer. The bike only has 3000 miles. Have any of you had success in this approach or am I just spinning my wheels and need to get a replacement with my own cash and get back on the road. I know I can get a better replacement but free is good compared to $600+ out of pocket. I'd rather spend that on a new exhaust and intake than repair a problem. Thanks in advance for your input. I value advice that comes from experience. SAE "Ridin' with the Grace of God" | ||
| Josh |
SAE, You might call Buell CS and request a status check on the GoodWill, but I'll bet you'll need to replace it yourself. Oh, you could get it repaired (new seal and fluid), call RaceTech. I think they can spring it for your weight requirements also. Josh | ||
| Saeanddte |
You know what? If I had just read the information at the top of the page I could have saved bothering you all. Good information is only good if you read it, duh! I made a call to the dealer to find out the status of what they are going to do. A $100 is not too bad but free is better. Does this include the installation? Thanks and sorry for wasting anyones time when they read the above post. SAE "Ridin' with the Grace of God" | ||
| Josh |
SAE, The $100 is (I believe) the "deductable" for GoodWill. The info above would be better if it were a .pdf of an official Buell notice. | ||
| Saeanddte |
I got my answer from Buell about my replacement shock. It is a no-go. They are not going to replace it. Can I get some more suggestions on replacements that are reasonably priced. Is the newer replacement up to par for 2-up riding and what does it cost? Are any special tools required for installation or can a novice handle to procedure? Thanks for the help. SAE | ||
| Blake |
Saeanddte, Who gave you your answer? I'm skeptical of their wisdom/integrity in the matter. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm suprised as well. My local dealer (Eastgate Buell in Cincinnati) started out badly confused in the whole recall shock matter, and went downhill from there to flat out bald faced lying. 15 minutes on the phone with Buell customer service direct had the problem resolved. They were really great, I wish I could take the dealers out of the loop entirely. I hope its just another idiot dealer that is the problem here... I would hate to think that after so much time and expense by Buell stepping up to the plate and resolving the whole shock problem that they would drop the ball now. | ||
| Lake_Bueller |
I'm not sure where to post this so I'll start here.... Can you change or convert the front forks on an S3 to S1 style? I bought another S3 that I was thinking of converting into a track bike. I want to remove the front fairing. Then put an S1 triple tree with clip-on bars. Is this possible? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mennis | ||
| Bads1 |
Mennis I don't think you need much more then a different dash and Crossroads bars.Be aware that the holes for your speedo,tach in aS1 dash are to small.Try a X1 dash and they will work.All you'll need then is a different fly screen.Dana. | ||
| Lake_Bueller |
I don't think the top of the triple tree (if I remember correctly) have the same mounts for the handlebars. I was going to have someone fabricate a dash for me. Something in a polished aluminum. | ||
| Blake |
Mennis, Suggest you avoid a polished aluminum dash. Get the sun reflecting at just the wrong angle, you effectively become blind. The S1 and S3 forks are the same as far as I know. Rake is different. Changing that would require cutting and welding or an S1 frame. Pretty sure the triple clamp is the same. Both have the same handlebar mounting scheme. With clipons, you won't need the handlebar mount. The unused mount can become useful though, it might be a good place to mount a small bar/bracket for holding a lap timer and/or video camera.  | ||
| Bads1 |
Mennis you are right you'll also need the top clamp from a M2,X1 or a S1. Then you should be in buisness.The reason I told you to use the X1 dash is because you won't have to also move key down next to engine. Dana |
