Hi all,
here is the thing, I know my bike's shock has very little or no oil, cause there is little damping. I got myself another one, also 10 years old, which shows a slight sign of a possible leakage.

on the "new" one I also checked the bearings, and bottom one looks fine. the collar on the top one is stuck. the odd part is that the service manual only mentions replacing the bottom one.

so the questions list:
is the top bearing a needle bearing or is it actually OK that the top collar is stuck, as it should be ?
Which kind of grease for the bottom needle valve ?
now for the serious business, can the 99-00 F4 (european FY actually) can be rebuilt ?
last, will a newer F4 or F4i shock fit ? I saw a post saying it should, but did anyone actually try it ?

Thanks a lot!

Avi

 

somebody ?
anybody?

some help?

 

The shocks are supposed to be unservicable, they are filled with compressed nitrogen and are liable to go pop if messed with. That said, they CAN be serviced by suspension specialists and this service is not normally that expensive either.

 

well, I got an offer for 150$ + parts.
some of them, if replaced, are custom made...$$

do you know about the top bearing, whether it is a bearing at all, beacuse the collar doesn't rotate at all on the shock off the bike.

if this is actually as it should be I'd switch them and see if things get better.

 

I have a F4i shock sitting on my workbench @ home - I'll check the top bearing - but if my memory serves, that actually isn't a moving pivot, it just has some mild flex to it.

 

that will be most appreciated !

if you could also measure the distance between the 2 holes centers it would be great

 

top oivot has very little flex to it - it is not a free moving pivot, my F2 shock was the same way when I had my swingarm off.

The shock was approx 12" center to center - might be just a touch longer, but like only 1/8" inch.

 

Thank!

that's good news, both of them
so the one on my shelf is at least somewhat OK, and if I can get my hands on an F4i one, that wil fit as well. it was actually like you said, a tad more than 12".

Thanks again!

Avi