Nitron racing shock on my at

[anton88]

Been saving a bit of cash, and it was my birthday recently, so asked for a new shock as my existing ones a bit tired, and the spring toooooo soft.

I did a LOT of google research on various companies - affordable shock makers had some very mixed performance reviews with some early failures and build quality issues.

Thought about a rebuild - the guy on ebay - but saw so many complaints i though id be better buying new.

Came across Nitron, and didnt find a single complaint . Spoke to them on the phone - they havent done one for an @ before, so i'm guinea pig

Scott their technician was on hol for 2 weeks, so its taken 4 weeks to get it, as they needed my old one for reference. Spoke a lot with Pete on the phone - very helpfull. My existing spring was measured as 675 ilbs. Discussed the type of riding i do, and went for an 800lb spring

At first, they werent sure that they could make it to match the requirements, but came up trumps, and here it is (well happy) :



The blue knob at the bottom is the rebound/damper adjuster (in one) which has 24 clicks.

The bottom bracket is adjustable for ride height (can screw out to give another 7mm). Its beautifullly made, and comes set up to initial requirements.

The bottom mount is not threaded like the AT one, so had to get a suitable bolt and nut to fit - sorted.



After my african queens suspension linkage breaking, i was a bit stuck - got a 2nd hand @ one from Austria, and decided to take the plunge and cut it to length same as AQ one Lots of measuring and tack welds and trial fits and that was sorted. Welded with double v butt joints and then extra steel plates welded on either side for extra strength - if this guy snaps i will eat my own head (will be keeping an eye on it).

Did a few trial fits with the new shock and some bouncing up and down, and increased the rebound/damping a bit, + some more preload on the shock for when i add my luggage (this is MUCH easier to do with the shock off the bike).

I now have a seat height of 37" with no rider (s==t you not !) about an inch of sag with me on it. Sounds a lot, but i can manage, and it matches my African queen fork extenders perfectly - the bike always felt a bit high at the front before, but now feels as it should and is throwing some more weight over the front wheel. Had to extend my sidestand again - sorted with a spare footpeg bolted on upside down (sounds crap but look pretty gnarly ) the bike is now so high, i can crawl under the bash plate




£350 english quid


Just got to test ride now and get some mileage on the new boots........

[Betterl8thanever]

Your bike looks awesome,
what does that can sound like? can you post a vid?

[anton88]

Why thankyou

heres on old vid of me messing around :



This was taken with the baffle in (its a LOT louder with it out)

[raymo]

neat grab rail.. thats not standard on the RD04 any better pics as I could due a set up like that to stregthen the pannier rails too

nice shock and at 350 quire resonable.. guess they could do a shorter one

1000mm seat hign with my 29inch insid leg... none starter

[Betterl8thanever]

Brilliant, sounds superb, shifts a bit too.

Thanks for the post

[anton88]

neat grab rail.. thats not standard on the RD04 any better pics as I could due a set up like that to stregthen the pannier rails too

nice shock and at 350 quire resonable.. guess they could do a shorter one

1000mm seat hign with my 29inch insid leg... none starter

Hi Raymo,

They were some luggage rails i think i got of ebay to fit a cbr. Just welded on some extra bits to bolt to the bike (the fronts bolt onto where the seat fits, and the rears bolt to the rear subframe throught the rack) and they made perfect grab rails, and then later i have made my own luggage racks and they also bolt onto that.

Will try to remember to get some pics for you tomorrow.

[anton88]

1st ride the other night and the rear end feels loads better

Probably a bit too much preaload at the moment with just me on, but going to the National and scotland soon, so will have plenty of luggage so i'm leavin it for now.

I told a fib about the seat height - i measured it again tonight to be sure, and its nearly 40" rediculous I put this partly down to the new mitas e07's which on the rear esp. has loads more tread depth than my tkc's ever had

[Betterl8thanever]

Kinell,,,

just converted 800 lb = 57.1428568 stone!

Fit plenty butties in your panniers

[anton88]

who ate all the pies ????????? me

[TJE]

Aaah, I would love to have a new shock on the rear and raise it like you did ... but I wouldn't let a vietnamese mechanic do it. It would be fine for about 4.5 minutes, and then the whole bike would collapse in a big metal puddle.

I had a new padding and cover put on the saddle (added 3cm) and ordered some handlebar raisers, as a quick fix.

What ever happened to the RICOR shock, everyone was talking about? I sent them a mail asking when the shock would appear for the AT, but they never replied ...

/T