WHat rear shock fits the XR650R???

[Hondathumper450]

Are there any other Shocks from different Honda Offroad Models that will interchange with the XR650R?

[Thumpage]

Yes, well kinda...

A CR500 shock body can be modified to work on the XR650R. Actually it becomes a hodgepodge of sorted parts to make the shock work and work well. But for the most part, there is not much better you can do than what a properly

setup XR650R shock is capable of from respringing and a good revalving job for your weight, and riding characteristics.

The one main touted advantage that is supposed to be had by having a specially built CR500 shock body, is the high & low speed adjustment that the XR650R shock doesn't have. There is a few other details also. I know there is alot that I am not covering hear because of the need to know more about it. I do know it takes some doing and money to get one built and setup properly.

But again, the stock shock can be rebuilt to perform as well as you may ever need. After my suspension was rebuilt for my weight and riding preferences, it was a night and day difference.

[dezracerE]

Yes, well kinda...

A CR500 shock body can be modified to work on the XR650R. Actually it becomes a hodgepodge of sorted parts to make the shock work and work well. But for the most part, there is not much better you can do than what a properly

setup XR650R shock is capable of from respringing and a good revalving job for your weight, and riding characteristics.

The one main touted advantage that is supposed to be had by having a specially built CR500 shock body, is the high & low speed adjustment that the XR650R shock doesn't have. There is a few other details also. I know there is alot that I am not covering hear because of the need to know more about it. I do know it takes some doing and money to get one built and setup properly.

But again, the stock shock can be rebuilt to perform as well as you may ever need. After my suspension was rebuilt for my weight and riding preferences, it was a night and day difference.

I believe Precision Concepts used the CR500 body for Big Reds Baja rides.

I had mine done with the stock body. Cant ask for any more. The bike is faster than I am for any distance and does not seem to fade anymore.

[Thumpage]

DezracerE, I concur. The Special hybrid shock could be somewhat better in some instances but a properly reworked stock shock seems to be great as it is.

[iestrada]

How can i know if a bike has a CR500 shock? i'm looking at one for sale and the owner claims PC installed the CR500 shock

[slepe67]

so, are these mods something a dude with average skills and tools can do in his/her garage, or is it best to let a professional take the reins. AND on that note, who/where can a person find out more on this? SEARCH? I havent seen anything yet, yesterday, I went back to Oct, 2001.

[BWB63]

I have the CR500 shock body, seal head, CR500 gold valve with the XR650R shaft and Desert Race shim stack off this page:

http://www.xr650r.borynack.com/xr650r_shock.htm

If you can change the fluid in a shock you can do it.

[Thumpage]

BWB63,

Do tell what general differences you may feel between the two shock systems.

Can you feel differences in certain terrain at times with the high/low speed damping adjustment option on the CR500 shock body?

What spring is used? I am guessing the XR spring in keeping with the proportional length of the XR's shaft. Would this be partially right? I can realize there are going to be other factors though, also.

[BWB63]

Use the XR650R spring and shim setup you would use for the XR650R with ultra light (2.5wt) fluid. Had to use the Gold valve because the stoack CR500R valve is backwards to the XR650R setup. (the compression is 34mm and the rebound is 36mm) I use a 38mm compression and 34mm rebound gold valve so it is the same as the XR650R gold valve just bigger so it fits in the CR500 shock body. I have the shim stack a little to stiff (I went stiffer then the Desert Race setup, I wish I wouldn't have, but it still work great) I run the compression soft to make up for it. Next time I have it apart I will go with the Baja 500 setup. I run the high speed compression real soft as well. I feal that I have much more control in the big whoops at deathly fast speeds but I think this is because of the different compression adjuster assembly or the stiffer rebound shim stack. The hard part is getting the forks right do to the longer shock assembly. My forks are 5mm longer then stock and it still isn't enough. I have my forks pushed down another 7mm when they were 5mm riased with a stock shock. I need to get the different bottoming cone to make them longer like the PC fork setup. I have been to busy to finish this stage of my setup. I think in the end I will like it and do a complete write-up on what it takes, how, and what difference it makes when I am done. I'll get some feed back from some of the Sportsmens class Baja racers also, to get a better picture of what the out come would.

[Thumpage]

Good deal, nice detail. When the time comes, yes, do a further write up about it.

While it does seem a bit of a challenge to get much better than the capabilities of a reworked stock shock or suspension in general, it does sound like a promising suspension mod for more discerning and capable riders. Keep testing, .

[jesusgatos]

I need to respring and revalve my CRF frontend and would like to rebuild my rear shock at the same time.

I've checked out Borynack's valving specs and have heard that the Baja 500 valving is a pretty good all-around setup., but am wondering whether the valving specs change when you upgrade to a CR500 shock and a RaceTech Gold Valve (already purchased both).

Right now I'm running the stock spring and valving in the rear shock. I weigh 190lbs in all my gear and with the pack that I carry on trail rides. I switch tanks between an IMS 3.2 gallon tank for trail riding and a 6 gallon Acerbis tank for longer dualsport rides. Let's split the difference and figure I'll be carrying around 4 gallons of fuel. Do I need to change the spring-rate?

Borynack-

I know you had some problems with your website. Can you please post an updated link?

[jesusgatos]

Oh, and where's the best place to order valve shims?

[BWB63]

The valving, fluid, shims control the spring rate, wich support your weight.

CR500R/XR650R hybrid shock uses the CR500R shock body, seal head, and Gold valve used for a CR500R shock body for 38mm/34mm shims, but, the 38mm shim side is used for the compression side. It is used the other way around for a CR500R bike. Then use the XR650R rod assembly with XR650R shims stacks. The Gold Valve flows a little more but, there is less slow speed compression bypass adjustment. The bad thing that you are fixing with longer forks is that the shock will give you almost an inch more travle in the back so, you need longer forks, or the stock ones pushed down quite a bit to keep the rake right. There is a little more to it then this but, this is it in a nut shell. I need to do a page with pictures on the web sight. I will take the pictures next CR500R/XR650R hybrid shock I do. Should be soon for the Baja 250.

Links that might help you with your bike:

http://borynack.com/XR650R/

http://borynack.com/xr650r.htm

http://borynack.com/Honda%20XR650R%20Suspension%20ww1.doc

http://borynack.com/Honda%20XR650R%20Suspension%20www.doc

http://dirtbike.off-road.com/dirtbike/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=266765

http://borynack.com/XR650R/Suspension/KYBSHOWA.htm

http://borynack.com/XR650R/Suspension/suspensiontuning.htm

I get my shims from here: RaceTech: http://www.racetech.com/shopping/shopdisplaysubcat.asp?id=13&showPage=dirt

You can also get them here > MX-Tech.com: http://www.mx-tech.com/?id=products&cat=12

Your springs rate for your weight will not change and should be the same as if you had the stock suspension. The springs are to suport the riders/bikes weight.

www.borynack.com/XR650R

[jesusgatos]

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know (whether I could still use the XR650R shim-stacks and valving suggestions on your website). Oh, and just to make sure I'm understanding you correctly, I should install the Gold Valve 'upside-down', right?

[jesusgatos]

Thanks for posting all those links too.

I understand what you're talking about as far as the spring's role in the suspension and the geometry. Just out of curiosity, would it be possible to adjust the preload on the spring to keep the rear of the bike at something closer to stock height? Or would that let the spring flop around when the shock is at full extension?

I will take the pictures next CR500R/XR650R hybrid shock I do. Should be soon for the Baja 250.

If you need a shock to take pictures of...

[BWB63]

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know (whether I could still use the XR650R shim-stacks and valving suggestions on your website). Oh, and just to make sure I'm understanding you correctly, I should install the Gold Valve 'upside-down', right?

It is'nt upside down but, 38mm for compression and 34mm for rebound but, then again it is upside down compared to the stock CR500 valve of 34mm compression and 36mm rebound, and that stock cr500 valve would not work for the control you want to have with our bike, that has a 38mm compression and 34mm rebound valve. I would have to go and messure the valve to give you the diameter, it is larger then the XR650R valve. The shock body of the CR500R shock is a little bigger in diameter. That is why you have to use the seal head of the CR500 with the CR500 shock body. The shaft diameter is the same that is why you can use the XR650R shorter shaft, with the right mounting fork.

[weskc35k]

Bruce i read on the Honda off road site that they put a spacer in the donor cr500 shock body to keep the bike at stock height do you do this?

[jesusgatos]

After reading through your website and talking to a few people, it sounds like this might be the best setup for me. I just went through and measured all of the shims that came with my Gold Valve kit and I already have all of the shims I need except for the .70x17mm shim that you said isn't very important. Would you recommend making any changes to these valve-stacks seeing as they're going into a CR500 hybrid shock instead of a stock XR650 shock? I'm going to need to order new shims for the forks anyway.

Rebound

(08) .25x34

(01) .10x28

(04) .25x34

(01) .30x34

(01) .30x32

(01) .30x30

(01) .30x28

(01) .30x26

(01) .30x24

(01) .30x23

Compression

(06) .20x38

(01) .10x32

(01) .20x38

(01) .10x30

(03) .25x38

(01) .25x36

(01) .25x32

(01) .25x30

(01) .25x28

(01) .25x26

(01) .25x24

(01) .25x22

(01) .25x20 or 21

(01) .70x17

oil - 2.5 or 3wt

[jesusgatos]

For the CR500R shock the Desert Racing setup can't be beat.

This is the desert racing setup that you were talking about, right?

[BWB63]

As for the spacer, that would make life much easier if you didn't want the extra travel.

The .70X17mm shims is not that big of a deal but, it does let the shims flex further. That stack looks right (I am at work and they block my sight). Remember a lot of the shims are already there.