I am getting a lot of emails and a lot of comments these days. This is a good thing! That said, they are time consuming for both you and me. As a result I have added a live chat feature here on the site. I won’t always be available, and that is when you will still have to use email or commenting, but when I am available you can chat with me live in real time. I hope that this will make answering questions and concerns easier for all parties. To use this feature, just click on the “Chat With Me” button in the lower right hand corner of your browser.
11 Responses
Gary Jones
I am looking to add taller (a lot taller) shocks to my Yamaha Bolt. The 320MM (~12 1/2″) seem like a good option and should bring the rear up about 1-3/4″ I am concerned about the weight with the RFI. The bike weighs in at 540, I’m 170 and have a girlfriend weight limit of 140. 🙂
Can you tell me if and what mods you can provide for the setup I seek (and$$) I am ready to make a decision.
Chris
Hi Gary,
I spent a significant amount of time trying to find some info on the Bolt. Specifically, I was hoping to find what the stock spring rate is. I did see that a lot of people detest the rear shocks on the Bolt, even the more expensive upgrade shocks were disliked. The question is what are you trying to gain with a shock change? Greater travel seems to be desired, better dampening is also an issue it seems. I read where guys say the suspension is too harsh, is that a result of hitting the bump stops often? Also, raising the suspension and adding travel might create complications with the belt drive.
Regards,
Chris
Gary Jones
It is a little harsh, but as a long term sportbike rider, I’m not really concerned about comfort as much as raising the rear end for a more cafe-like riding position and geometry. I’m going to have to deal with the belt of course, it is a concern that I might need a longer belt. But a moderately stiff rear end has been fine, I have the rspec shock on it now and a couple clicks I can two up easy.
Chris
If we can up with a spring rate figure we can almost certainly build you a set of shocks. We just need to make sure to get a spring rate that is right for the bike.
Gary Jones
So it looks like Hagon used:
270mm length
35kg springs
14X20 bushings
If that helps?
(http://www.yamahastarbolt.com/mods-and-accessories/hagon-shocks-usa/)
After looking at that thread I’m thinking a 300mm might be more appropriate.
I do like the reservoir look that my rspec shocks add, so the Hagon option is not great, plus I’m reading a lot more positive mentions of you.
I really appreciate your time on this, I am ready to buy if the price is within budget.
Chris
Okay, Gary. That’s good info. I am guessing that 35kg spec is 35kg/cm. Converting that to imperial units gets us 195.58lbs./inch. That’s a pretty hefty spring! Unfortunately, the closest spring on RFY’s are around 140lbs/inch, or about 25% less stiff than what Hagon is recommending. I’m going to have to think about it a bit. There might be some other options but i’m not sure just yet what they are.
– Chris
Gary Jones
Is it possible to add 1 3/4″ to the bottom of the stock rspec shock just for lift? I have never bottomed it out like others talk about. Maybe it’s the lack of televised sports, beer and donuts in my diet, I’m not sure.
This guy’s got some really good pictures
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-Yamaha-Bolt-XV95-950-XVS950-OEM-Rear-Shock-/231732702154?hash=item35f4586bca:g:w~IAAOSwwbdWLnYW&vxp=mtr
Chris
It could very well be possible to to and extended eyelet. If I could look at a set in person I could probably tell a little better. It might not even be too big deal, though some machine work and materials are almost certainly required. If you’d like to send me your shock at some point we could work something out.
Gary Jones
OK, I’m going to go ahead and buy a set of the RFY socks and see what they feel like stock. If it’s possible to ride on them some I will send you the stock shocks.
Gary Jones
Update: I got the shocks (rfy 320mm) a couple weeks ago. The ride height is perfect but the shocks actually seem a little, uum… inconsistent? They are nice and firm but I think they could use the heavier spring, right now my preload is out about a centimeter. I weight 170lbs and like about an 1″ of sag, A coworker at 250lbs sags the back end about 2 1/2″. That is a bit much. Anyways, I suspect a tune up and spring will be in order. Christmas is coming up, so I’ll have to look at finance as to whether I’ll send them in a couple weeks or in January.
before:http://www.jonesisland.com/bolt/DSCF9451.JPG
after: http://www.jonesisland.com/bolt/IMG_1554.JPG
Chris
The shocks are a little inconsistent, that’s a big part why the rebuild is needed so badly. It sounds like you could use a heavier spring, that’s a fair amount of sag, maybe too much given the total travel of the shocks. Send me an email when you are getting closer to sending them, I have a very rare set of springs on my shelf that are stiffer than your current ones and are the correct dimensions to fit your shocks. They would be pretty trick and fix you up, we could work out a deal of some variety on an exchange of your current ones. Anyways, be safe and have fun out there!