CammyGTIR wrote:Don't know what RB are playing at with the "different ratio" argument Jonno. Sounds like porkies to me.

Best option:
Rick Oliver

Acceptable Options:

Re-co VFR/CBR/GSXR

Re-co RVF shock

Either way, all of those will feel better than standard. And get a jack up plate if you can

Perhaps RB was telling me that because they're in competitive racing but for riding on the road (and even on the track) someone who's only been riding for 6 months or so (ie. me) will notice the difference.

The Rick Oliver shocks I'm sure are top notch but are a little pricey for me. I'll probably go with an 03-06 CBR600RR shock as I hear it is sprung quite well. I can get one out of the US for about US $140 first class express courier'd (2-4 days) so I'll most probably go with that option..

I just want to try gather some more info about sticking a CBR600 shock in an RVF before going down this path. Last thing I want to do is hand my bike and the shock over to the Suspension guys, and half a day later they let me know that there's going to be an extra $300 of labour involved in getting the shock to fit..

Can anyone at all provide info as to what is needed to make the CBR600 shock fit into an RVF400?... I had a look at the gixxer shocks, and the reservoir sits lower than the CBR ones so I think they may not cause as many troubles with hitting the battery box, however they are sprung too light and this would cost me another $200 for a new spring

Cheers

If you are going to spend money on this..do it right first time.

Stop dicking about with half options man, save up another month or 2 or whatever it takes and make sure you get this sorted. Otherwise, you'll end up doing it again further down the line.

Ref ratio.

The shocks in most bikes are operated using a linkage. The linkage applies leverage to the shock. The reason shocks are different lengths and have different weight springs on them is due to the leverage ratio that the linkage places on the shock.

If the rear wheel travel on a bike is 120mm then unless you have a direct 120mm stroke shock you'l not control it. You use a linkage for this. Bikes have idfferent ratio linkages and as a result the shocks can be different stroke and can require different spring weights.

A good example is the Aprilia RS250 shock. It has a 400nm (or thereabouts) spring and runs lighter damping as a result of this. You can fit it to the NC30 but you will have to fit a firmer spring to account for the difference in linkage ratio... Also, you really need to firm up the damping as the shock will be underdamped and you'll kill it.

So..if you get a shock with a simlar spring weight and can make it fit, then you have a winner.

if you get a shock from a bike that runs a softer spring then you'll need a new spring and a revalve or it will not work very well.

Thanks for the info mate, that helps. I would love to get Ohlins, Maxton, Nitron, Penske shock etc.., and I can afford any one of them, but for the riding I'm doing they're overkill. And to say I've spent a shitload more on this bike than I originally intended would be an extreme understatement.

I have heard the springs on the 03-06 shocks CBR600 are sprung harder than the GSXR/YZF-R series bikes and suit the NC bikes well.

Just wanting to make sure the fitting of the shock isn't going to cause me too much grief, and then the install should be quite easy, and be a great improvement on what I currently have.. At the same time I will be getting my wheels blasted and powder coated white, and then I'll install my braided lines and gold calipers (Christmas will be coming a couple weeks early this year for me and my bike)


I was told 03-06 shocks fit. I knew 03-04 was different to 05-06 (the reservoir on the 05-06 is smaller from what I could tell) and I don't think 07-10 shocks fit from my research (but I may be wrong). I don't quite know how easy it is to adjust all these settings, or how helpful they will be to me, but I assume they will be an advantage over my current shock. I would imagine once my suspension guys set it up for me I won't touch the settings.

Here are specs (off wikipedia) of the shocks. Can anyone advise as to what amount of travel is more suitable, or what the amount of travel in the NC30/35 is as standard?

'03-'04 CBR600RR:
Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 in (119 mm) travel
'05-'10 CBR600RR:
Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 5.1 in (130 mm) travel


Lastly, should I keep my RVF linkage for this conversion? Does anyone know if a modification of the ratio is required, or will it serve its purpose just fine the way it is?

Thanks guys. I think this is the last thing I need to get sorted, and then my bike will completely be finished and I can hopefully then offer some advice to guys new to bike, just as I was when I started. In fact, I may even do a write-up of this modification once I gather all the info, source the shock and have it installed if I can manage to scab this info off you guys who have already done this mod, or who can offer some information that may help!

PS: Let me know if you're selling a CBR600 shock (or a cheap aftermarket NC30/35 shock)..

Cheers, and have a good weekend

Your on the right lines in the way your thinking but your worrying too much if you ask me. If you dont have the cash go for the cheap option, fit it and forget about it, its not going to be perfect but it'll be better than what you.
FWIW id rather have a dog rough looking bike with sorted suspension than a mint bike with old tired bouncy bits, your enjoy the bike a million times more. Put the money away till a nice shock comes up for sale if its bothering you this much.

plus i dont think the gsxr shock will be too soft, i have a k7 gsxr (bike not shock) and i had it softened up all round when it was setup.

Drunkn Munky wrote:Your on the right lines in the way your thinking but your worrying too much if you ask me. If you dont have the cash go for the cheap option, fit it and forget about it, its not going to be perfect but it'll be better than what you.
FWIW id rather have a dog rough looking bike with sorted suspension than a mint bike with old tired bouncy bits, your enjoy the bike a million times more. Put the money away till a nice shock comes up for sale if its bothering you this much.

plus i dont think the gsxr shock will be too soft, i have a k7 gsxr (bike not shock) and i had it softened up all round when it was setup.

Ahh..yes, but it is the linkage ratio making the difference..

Rick sells the HRC linkage as it has a different rate of ratio change through the stroke of the suspension..

I use a std shock on my race bike - it is amazing! I woul say it is as good as the RS250 one I had rebuilt and sorted (that now needs another rebuild)

I hate it when you guys are right. I might wait a week and see if an aftermarket shock comes up for a good price. If not, the CBR600RR one will do me just fine..

Cheers

I hate to be a major pain in the ass but I'm still considering installing the CBR600 shock. If anyone could provide info as to the mods needed, and I end up going for this option, I will write up a topic with pics, as I'm sure there will be plenty of people out there interested in this modification..

Thanks

Mate, I installed a 04 CBR600rr shock on my NC30 not so long ago. It was a direct bold on but required a small mod to the battery box to allow for the reservoir. I also changed the rear wheel from a 18' to a RVF 17' wheel and am running a set of Pirelli Rosso's, a 160-60-17 on the rear. They are working a treat and the bike handles beautifully. I am just under 90kg.

My issues are with other things on the bike, like trying to get it tunes correctly, and the cooling system. But the suspension works a treat.

http://min.us/mvbmVdT
http://min.us/mvbmVdT