Page 1 of 4

ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 8:14 am
by griff
With 115K on my 14 ES, I figger the rear shock needs some freshening up. The problem is, I haven't found anyone who rebuilds the FJR ES rear shock. Traxxion says they haven't, but would love to take a crack at mine :lol: What they say folks do is put a good aftermarket shock on, which unfortunately neuters the ES function. Any know of any rebuild gurus that can handle the ES rear shock?

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 8:56 am
by bungie4
Good question. Something I've considered. I'm guessing the most cost effective route would be to buy a used ES shock from one of them upgraders.
Good job on the 115K too! You beast.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:00 am
by bigjohnsd
The Beemer Crowd, those with the Beemer ESA, claim this guy is "The Guru". I have no personal experience but he seems "qualified" on paper anyway.

http://www.beemershop.com/Ted_Porters_B ... ation.html

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:26 am
by griff
bigjohnsd wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:00 am The Beemer Crowd, those with the Beemer ESA, claim this guy is "The Guru". I have no personal experience but he seems "qualified" on paper anyway.

http://www.beemershop.com/Ted_Porters_B ... ation.html

Thanks John. I'll check them out.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:33 am
by Hppants
Partshark wants ….. get this..... $2,7xx.00 for a complete replacement shock assy!! That's utterly ridiculous. Doesn't look like you can buy the shock absorber as an individual part, although you can get other parts within the shock assembly separately. Holy cow - that's not a good idea.

Ebay has a couple for around $400.00 a pop. Strong money and there is no telling how worn they are, although chances are, they don't have 115K on them.

Maybe buy the used one and give Traxxion an opportunity to learn/design something for it, with the understanding that yours is free? Surely the aftermarket knows how much Yammie wants for an OEM replacement, and as such, that opens up a competitive market for them?

This is a good topic for a thread.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 10:59 am
by griff
Hppants wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:33 am Maybe buy the used one and give Traxxion an opportunity to learn/design something for it, with the understanding that yours is free? Surely the aftermarket knows how much Yammie wants for an OEM replacement, and as such, that opens up a competitive market for them?
I talked to Traxxion about this and they would love to experiment on the ES shock. I also talked with Cogent Dynamics up in Asheville, NC and they have done some work on ES shocks (I think primarily beemers). They tend to shy away from these ES shocks because Todd at Cogent said that potentially trying to rebuild the ES shock might make it unoperable, but they would love to take a crack at a well used shock. Maybe I need to have this shock fail under the YES warranty and get a new one :D

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 11:34 am
by raYzerman
A shock rebuild or refresh usually consists of inspecting the shaft for wear, replacing the seals and recharging the nitrogen.... mostly universal parts available for that. An ES just adds a stepper motor or two that perform adjustments... get that removed and I'm not seeing how to make that "inoperable" after a rebuild (but he may know something I don't)... I would also send you to Cogent or Traxxion or the beemer place.....
PM incoming, I have a lead on a used one for ya.

You could always rip out the entire package and put in an Ohlins ES package.... oh wait, that would be some undertaking and lotsa cash.....

As for the front end, we already know how to fork that up.......

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 11:43 am
by bungie4
griff wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 10:59 am Maybe I need to have this shock fail under the YES warranty and get a new one :D
Take any sweet jumps lately?

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 12:17 pm
by Allen_C
Hppants wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:33 am Partshark wants ….. get this..... $2,7xx.00 for a complete replacement shock assy!! That's utterly ridiculous. Doesn't look like you can buy the shock absorber as an individual part, although you can get other parts within the shock assembly separately. Holy cow - that's not a good idea.

Ebay has a couple for around $400.00 a pop. Strong money and there is no telling how worn they are, although chances are, they don't have 115K on them.
I believe the retail price on a new assembly is over $3,300! Many of us knew that when buying our '14ES when they were new and that's why most opted for the YES plan just in case. Turns out, the oem rear shock was not prone to many issues (Preston of course is an exception) and getting 60k, 80k or in Griff's case over 110k miles from them is routine!

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 1:02 pm
by ionbeam
Yes, I opted for YES. The first time I have ever purchased an extended warranty for anything. ES was a tipping point (and a Gen 1 CCT failure got me to even contemplate YES in the first place). I consider YES to be a relatively inexpensive insurance policy for ~$120/year ($10/mo). It's a race to see if YES expires before the suspension expires :)

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:32 pm
by Hppants
I'd be interested in knowing if YES would pay for a shock that "failed" due to normal wear and tear. Not talking about one that is leaking, or the stepper motor quit working, or anything of the sort. Just one that, as Griff's has, got a little long in the tooth.

What's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe give that one a shot, Griff?

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:13 pm
by bungie4
Hppants wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:32 pm I'd be interested in knowing if YES would pay for a shock that "failed" due to normal wear and tear. Not talking about one that is leaking, or the stepper motor quit working, or anything of the sort. Just one that, as Griff's has, got a little long in the tooth.

What's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe give that one a shot, Griff?
This. I can't see them covering something that has a service life like a shock. Especially one that swings for the bleachers with a $3K price tag. Then again, Yamaha earned much of our loyalty by fixing Gen 1 tickers well out of warranty (but that was a defect)..

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:50 pm
by El Toro Joe
bungie4 wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:13 pm
Hppants wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:32 pm I'd be interested in knowing if YES would pay for a shock that "failed" due to normal wear and tear. Not talking about one that is leaking, or the stepper motor quit working, or anything of the sort. Just one that, as Griff's has, got a little long in the tooth.

What's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe give that one a shot, Griff?
This. I can't see them covering something that has a service life like a shock. Especially one that swings for the bleachers with a $3K price tag. Then again, Yamaha earned much of our loyalty by fixing Gen 1 tickers well out of warranty (but that was a defect)..
It would be covered...They covered the replacement of my leaking rear shock, on my 06. It all depends on how it is written up. Hell...they even covered a set of fork seals on my 06.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:56 pm
by bungie4
El Toro Joe wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:50 pm
bungie4 wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:13 pm
Hppants wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:32 pm I'd be interested in knowing if YES would pay for a shock that "failed" due to normal wear and tear. Not talking about one that is leaking, or the stepper motor quit working, or anything of the sort. Just one that, as Griff's has, got a little long in the tooth.

What's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe give that one a shot, Griff?
This. I can't see them covering something that has a service life like a shock. Especially one that swings for the bleachers with a $3K price tag. Then again, Yamaha earned much of our loyalty by fixing Gen 1 tickers well out of warranty (but that was a defect)..
It would be covered...They covered the replacement of my leaking rear shock, on my 06. It all depends on how it is written up.
Uhm, no.. a leaking shock can easily be classed as a manufacturing defect and would be covered, this is just a shock thats found the end of its service life. It's not leaking. Its just baffed. Guess we'll find out one way or the other. If they replace it, you could make a good case to replace your OEM tires that have the air showing.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:02 pm
by El Toro Joe
I wasn't referring to a worn out shock...only to a defective/or leaking shock. I would think that an ES shock should have a longer life than 115K miles.


...besides don't you have some snow to shovel? :lol: :stickpoke:

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:03 pm
by wheatonFJR
I think maybe I should just ride griff's bike to confirm how awful it is.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:12 pm
by bungie4
El Toro Joe wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:02 pm I wasn't referring to a worn out shock...only to a defective/or leaking shock. I would think that an ES shock should have a longer life than 115K miles.


...besides don't you have some snow to shovel? :lol: :stickpoke:
F.O with the snoo.

Why would you think it would last 115K when 'normal' FJR shocks are showing signs of being baffed in as little as 20K.

Der shproinging unst shproinked.

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:29 pm
by El Toro Joe
bungie4 wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:12 pm Why would you think it would last 115K when 'normal' FJR shocks are showing signs of being baffed in as little as 20K.
I think my 06 shock was warrantied at around 3 years, with probably around 40K miles on it...never had an issue with the replacement up until I sold the bike with 102k miles on it, and that shock is still on the bike to this day...maybe it's kinda like tire mileage. :lol:

...and your attempt at German is lame :lol:

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 5:05 pm
by Prestone
Thanks for the reminder to call me dealer about my stock shock. They said they have to call me back, but it's been way over the 90 day period now

Re: ES fork and shock rebuilds

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 5:09 pm
by Prestone
Hppants wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:32 pm I'd be interested in knowing if YES would pay for a shock that "failed" due to normal wear and tear. Not talking about one that is leaking, or the stepper motor quit working, or anything of the sort. Just one that, as Griff's has, got a little long in the tooth.

What's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe give that one a shot, Griff?

My ES shock failed, and Yamaha Yes covered to the tune of almost 4k.