I was wondering if anyone knows what could be wrong with the rear shock on my XR400.  I sent in the rear shock to a local shop to be serviced.  When I got the shock back and installed it on the bike there was no dampening and the bike bounced similar to a pogo stick with a weak spring.  I took the shock back to the shop and they said the blatter needed to be replaced and that it could not handle the pressure of a full gas charge.  So they installed a new blatter and I put the shock back on the bike and the same thing happened.  I took the shock back and they said they had a problem with their gas tank/adapter and they didn't think the shock got fully charged with gas.  Got the shock back on the bike again for the 3rd time last night and the same thing.  The people at the shop say they don't have a clue what could be wrong and they service rear shocks all the time with no problem.  Any ideas?  Thanks

Edited by jva_xr400_97, 16 May 2012 - 07:54 AM.

jva_xr400_97, on 16 May 2012 - 07:51 AM, said:

It sounds more like they forgot to fill the shock back up with oil.  Gas charge has little to do with damping, and even a blown bladder wouldn't have the effect that you are describing.  I would absolutely demand ALL of my money back from the alleged "shop", and send my shock to somebody else.  Don't ever go to them again.  Better yet, just service it yourself - it's really easy.

I had my XR4's shock screwed up by a fly-by-night shop myself.  I sent it out in good shape, but it was leaking when it came back.  I sent it out again, and it seemed OK after round two, but literally exploded all over my garage floor some time later while just sitting on a stand.  Turns out the seal head was installed incorrectly.  I was pissed.  I ended up just re-doing it myself and re-valved it while I was in there.  Don't be afraid - it's way easier than a fork.

JayC

I,m with Jay. It sounds like they didn,t put any oil back in it or didn,t put enough or didn,t bleed it properly.

I had my shock rebuilt by my local Honda dealer and when I put it back on the bike it was like sitting on a pogo stick (would've killed me if I rode it like that). I brought the shock back to the shop and the head mechanic said his guy put the shims in upside down. Now I've never worked on my shock and I am unfamiliar with it's internals, so I can only tell you what he told me.

I take that to mean the the taper of the stack was installed upside down.

i am interested in working on  my rear shock !Do i need any special tools and what would i charge the shock back up with as i am unsure of any where around here that does it !!!! i live in the booinies nothing for miles i have serviced my own forks without any dramas i would like to attempt the shock too ...thanks good site lots of quality info

twigster, on 30 June 2012 - 12:24 AM, said:

Again, check out the FSM for what you need to work on the shock. I bought a nitrogen bottle and a no loss gauge/filler set (reasonably priced on ebay) some 20 years ago, have filled quite a few shocks and haven't run out of nitrogen yet...been a good investment.

Call bruce Triplett in NC and see if he will help you out.  He's done tons of the XR components and will do a great job at a great price.

http://www.brucessuspension.com
Bruces's Suspension Service
350 Skysail Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
704-637-3675