Hey,

My buddy has a 1995 CBR 600 F3. He's got an aftermarket rear shock and reservoir on his bike, and he gave me his stock one. Would I see any performance or handling benefits if I put it into my 1987 CBR 600 F1? Would it be hard to install? Thanks.

 

I'm not fimiliar with your bike at all but 10 years of technology advancement I would have to say in way shape or form you'd has some suspension gains. Not to mention it all depends on how you have the shock set up too. Probably a really good mod.

 

It depends on what you're looking to acheive. Will it give you better handling benefits?? Maybe on street conditions. The F3 shock is technologically more advanced in that it has more adjustablility. This can help with most street scenarios such as potholes, bumps, etc.

Will it give you better performance?? Not likely. Its spring rate and valving is likely the same as your current shock. Unless you weigh ~140 lbs the stock spring really isn't made for you from a performance perspective. Another issue is that you're dealing with a shock that is 11 years old and is likely in dire need of reservicing/rebuilding. I doubt this shock has any spunk left in it as shocks (and forks) need to be serviced about every 12k miles. Many people skimp on this.

That really depends on your technical abilities. I can do it in about 20 minutes. Others will take an eternity. Get the service manual for your bike and see what's involved. You're going to need a way to suspend the rear of the bike.

Another issue you will face is that the shocks are of different lengths. This will change the geometry of your bike (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but it will also put the shock in a position (i.e. length) that it was not designed for.

Personally, I do NOT recommend using a shock that was not designed for your bike. But my perspective is performance riding. If that's not your priority than it may not be a big deal. I think you'd be much better off getting your stock shock reprung and revalved for your weight and properly set up.

 

Abad - as I was tearing my bike apart the other day, I noticed the front right fork seal is leaking a tiny bit, but enough.

I read what you wrote, and I'm willing to be that the forks or shock have not been serviced. So...

I'm sure I can do the forks myself, can you tell me what tools I'll need? What I'm super curious about, is the rear shock...

What can/do I do to service and get the most out of it?

 

HELLO, HELLO, HELLO!!!

 

you need fork seal drivers...maybe a spring compressor...and some regular old tools....
check out bay arear riders forum's garage section....

 

Okay...

How about servicing the rear shock? Anything... at all?