V7 Rear Shocks

[Kiwi_Roy]

I have always thought that the rear shocks as fitted to the V7 Special have no damping adjustment then today I noticed one shock was missing the screw.
It was quite obvious there had never been a fluid in there, it was clean and dry
These screws are just around 4mm long I think 4mm thread although I didn't measure it. The screw only blocks the hole, they barely protrude through the thread you can see.
I spoke to the service manager and he drew me a little sketch showing how an adjustable damper rod operates, he couldn't find any information on the units fitted to the V7.
While finding another screw to block the hole I noticed that if you have a longer screw it first comes up against something obviously spring loaded, you can turn this another 3 turns by finger after it makes contact making me think it might be moving some sort of damper valve.
I took a couple of shots with my phone, first of the side with the screw intact and then the side missing the screw.



I thought I would remove the 16mm brass fitting but it started to hiss at me so I quickly screwed it back again.
Can someone explain what's going on in here, hopefully with a sketch, its hard to visualize how the brass fitting obviously contains oil under pressure, there is none inside the hole you can see.

[Tom H]

If you heard a hiss at that point, they could be gas/air charged shocks. Unless you can find the manual for the shock, the only way I know if dampening is working and adjustable is to have the spring off, compress the shock and see how it pulls back out. You can feel the difference when you adjust a Koni/Ikon.

Tom

[Bert Remington]

KR -- once again you are a trail blazer.

The shock OEM is KYB and they are nitrogen filled via the 16mm port.  So are they adjustable?  Since it is unlikely KYB made a unique design for the small run MG V7 III and V9, the next step is to search KYB's product line for a similar design.

BTW we may have some donors to your investigation.  For instance bad Chad should have some takeoffs https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=108322.0

I'll see what I can find at KYB's website.

[Kiwi_Roy]

If you heard a hiss at that point, they could be gas/air charged shocks. Unless you can find the manual for the shock, the only way I know if dampening is working and adjustable is to have the spring off, compress the shock and see how it pulls back out. You can feel the difference when you adjust a Koni/Ikon.

Tom

Excellent suggestion, I will do that this week first time it rains, do some tests with a weight.
I see a picture of a Stone with small knobs where the screws are fitted on mine.


Bert, I tried the site but no reference to motorcycle shocks, see what you can drum up.

[Bert Remington]

Yeah direct search didn't work so went down indirect search path.  Found a sibling: 2019 Can-Am Ryker Rally Edition 900 ACE front shock has the same nickel screw and brass nut.  But...while the single shock rear suspension is adjustable the front shock doesn't appear to be.

And yet why is that screw there?  Lock for brass nut?  I doubt it.  One-way fill port for nitrogen.  More likely.  Some form of compression or rebound rate adjustment?  Woohoo!

Race Tech, 90 minutes up the 15 from me, services KYBs https://www.racetech.com/page/id/69 and Can-Ams are often upgraded.  I'll give them a call and see what that screw does.  I'll also ask about modifying the shocks (eg nitrogen fill, oil weight).  I'm sticking with the stock shocks because I bought red springs for them (another story I need to tell) but if Race Tech can improve them I'm interested.  BTW the front forks were stiff but that's going away.  Still I hope to send them to Race Tech for their cartridge emulators before Spring next year.

[twowheeladdict]

Following this thread with interest.  I just can't imagine that these shocks have adjustable rebound damping and that fact not being advertised. 

My guess is that they use a common body and the internals aren't there for these particular shocks.  It is not uncommon for manufacturers to do this, like putting blanks on low end cars where the high end car of the same model has switches. 

[Rich A]

Roy: I have a pair of take offs with around 6.6K mi you are welcome to (or anyone else), if you just pay actual shipping.

Rich A

[Kiwi_Roy]

Roy: I have a pair of take offs with around 6.6K mi you are welcome to (or anyone else), if you just pay actual shipping.

Rich A

Thanks for the offer but I don't actually need any, if I had a spare I would likely just pull it apart to see how it works.
I just noticed the screw had dropped out and decided to investigate, at some stage I will drop a spring off one and see if adding a longer screw will have any effect on the dampening, It would be nice to see an actual drawing of the internals.

Hopefully a shock Guru will come on and explain whats inside what we see.

[Kev m]

Following this thread with interest.  I just can't imagine that these shocks have adjustable rebound damping and that fact not being advertised. 

My guess is that they use a common body and the internals aren't there for these particular shocks.  It is not uncommon for manufacturers to do this, like putting blanks on low end cars where the high end car of the same model has switches.

Without looking closer I'd guess this too.

[Tom H]

I did a quick search late last night for info about KYB shocks. I did find some diagrams, but I don't know what shock they were for.

Try searching: "kyb motorcycle shock setup" or substitute "info" for setup.

There was a dirt bike forum that had the diagrams.

Good luck,
Tom

[Bert Remington]

BLUF -- KYB HYG fill valve https://tksshocks.com/shock-info-2/

I began with searching the Can-Am forums.  Which led me to Baja Ron adjustable shocks.  Except that was spring preload only for early model non-adjustable shocks.  But if Baja Ron didn't have an adjuster for rebound/compression rate then I figured nobody did.

But I did learn Can-Ams came with different grade shocks and the Ryker Rally was high-end.  Going down that path I discovered the KYB model: HYG.

And chasing that down led me to TKS.

Continued searching 3-wheeler forums and it appears that not only can the HYGs be rebuild but they also can be re-valved according to your weight, riding style, etc.  Examining the top of my shock makes me wonder how they can do that but I'll find out this week.

BTW if you haven't visited the Can-Am forums take a look.  There's more than a few members with deep pockets.  More wheels more accessories I guess.  And Yes I've been tempted by a Slingshot more than once.

[Vagrant]

some things aren't worth wasting time on! throw the POS stockers away and replace them. S...t is still and always S..it!

[moto-uno]

 ^ Says he of bottomless pockets  !  Peter

[ohiorider]

some things aren't worth wasting time on! throw the POS stockers away and replace them. S...t is still and always S..it!

I wasn't happy with the overly stiff ride of the OEM shocks on my 2014 CB1100.  So, I installed a set of 7610 series (part# 7610-1507.) shocks.  The Honda was a much nicer ride with the Ikons.
When I traded the CB1100 in 2019 on a 2016 T120 Bonneville, I removed the Ikons I'd installed (with help from Roger at Ikon USA selecting spring rates) and set them aside.  Well, to me, the T120 was way over sprung, too. I called Roger and asked if it was possible if the Ikon shocks would work on the Triumph.  Come to find out that, aside from being slightly longer, yes they would.  So, now the T120 is giving me a nice compliant ride with the Ikons I'd originally installed on the Honda.  A new set of Progressive fork springs, and some slight ergo mods, and the Bonnie is perfect for me.  Granted, some good luck involved in this.  Your results may vary!

Bob

[bad Chad]

Vagrant does have a point.  For $350, maybe a bit less if you can find then on sale, you can get a pair of Ikon shocks, far bettter than stock, and rebuildable.

[Bert Remington]

I envy those whose problems involve only a single variable.  My V7 III has a Givi tail rack that is a tight fit with the stock shocks.  And H&B C-Bow mounts that are a tight fit with the stock shocks (and an interference fit with the Givi tail rack but I solved that with some judicious metal removal and thread cutting).  And MG Red springs that I doubt will carry over to other brands.  And my riding style (ability) really isn't a challenge for the stock shocks.  And overnight rides are no longer part of my life.  And my wallet is fairly empty from buying higher-priority farkles and riding gear.  Sure I'd like a bit more suppleness especially for some of the asphalt ripples on San Diego surface streets that trigger the traction control.  So if Race Tech or TKS can provide that for $200 or thereabouts I'm going for it.  Otherwise ... I hope to see you on the road sometime.

[Rich A]

I envy those whose problems involve only a single variable.

They're over $200, but Icons fit with both the Givi luggage and sidecase racks installed on my V7III, and I think they're considerably better than the stock ones.

Rich A

[twowheeladdict]

I envy those whose problems involve only a single variable.  My V7 III has a Givi tail rack that is a tight fit with the stock shocks.  And H&B C-Bow mounts that are a tight fit with the stock shocks (and an interference fit with the Givi tail rack but I solved that with some judicious metal removal and thread cutting).  And MG Red springs that I doubt will carry over to other brands.  And my riding style (ability) really isn't a challenge for the stock shocks.  And overnight rides are no longer part of my life.  And my wallet is fairly empty from buying higher-priority farkles and riding gear.  Sure I'd like a bit more suppleness especially for some of the asphalt ripples on San Diego surface streets that trigger the traction control.  So if Race Tech or TKS can provide that for $200 or thereabouts I'm going for it.  Otherwise ... I hope to see you on the road sometime.

Bert, I went with Bitubo shocks with the red springs. 

[Chethro]

I emailed IKON this summer and asked for the stroke of their 7610's and their reply was 55mm which seems too small to me, but that is what they told me. They may be better shocks in all other aspects, but I believe stock shock stroke is 80mm. I ended up going with Ktech Razer III's with 85mm stroke and couldn't be happier. Of course, they are not cheap.