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462 Posts
Right then, I've done heaps of mods to my 2000 Varadero over the years & tbh I fell out of love with it about 18 months ago.
I still really like the bike & would never sell it, but I just ran out of ideas with the too soft rear end.
I tried lots of things, first was jackup plates with the standard shock. Then I bought a huge heavy Hagon (200kg on the shock body) unit which was great for my weight & riding style. That lasted about two years then lost it's oil.
Then I bought another lighter sprung Hagon unit which failed/leaked after a few months.. Then I bought a Technoflex unit with a remote reservoir but the spring was too soft but I lived with it until today.
Over the past month I've been looking into what options I had left & I came up with two. The first was to purchase a heavy duty (similar to the heavy Hagon spring) 2.25" x 9" x 500lbs spring & fit it onto the std Vara shock. Which is what I did today.
Once fitted I rolled it off the centre stand & down it went. Like a dog with worms
about 5" of static sag just on it's own, never mind with me on it.
Disappointed doesn't come close, so off I go to the shed & come out with plan B.
A Firestorm unit, all £25 worth. The measurements are close, the mounting holes are the same diameter & the lower shock mount width is identical too.
The top mount width is narrower & requires a washer or washers superglued to either side of the shock hole to increase the width to prevent the frame mounting point from distorting/being squeezed when tightening. I did measure it but I've forgotten.. 1 or 2mm'ish sorry
The Vtr shock is longer around 10/15mm I think, I forgot to measure that also, as I was still in a foaming fit of rage. It fitted nicely with the jackup plates & had no interfearence issues at all.
Once every thing was tightened up, I rolled it off the center stand & Bingo, it works a charm.
About 1 1/2" of static sag when on half prelode & another 2" sag when & sit on it (20 stone) so I increased to max preload which gives about 1" static sag & another 1" maybe 1 1/2" or so with me on it.
I'm 6'2" & now I'm on tip toes when sitting on it.
I have not ridden it on the road yet as it's still on sorn, but I have been bouncing around in the garden like a fool & it feels great.
I really am happy with this no risk mod, for £30 you can get a shock off ebay & see for your self :thumbleft:
I still really like the bike & would never sell it, but I just ran out of ideas with the too soft rear end.
I tried lots of things, first was jackup plates with the standard shock. Then I bought a huge heavy Hagon (200kg on the shock body) unit which was great for my weight & riding style. That lasted about two years then lost it's oil.
Then I bought another lighter sprung Hagon unit which failed/leaked after a few months.. Then I bought a Technoflex unit with a remote reservoir but the spring was too soft but I lived with it until today.
Over the past month I've been looking into what options I had left & I came up with two. The first was to purchase a heavy duty (similar to the heavy Hagon spring) 2.25" x 9" x 500lbs spring & fit it onto the std Vara shock. Which is what I did today.
Once fitted I rolled it off the centre stand & down it went. Like a dog with worms
about 5" of static sag just on it's own, never mind with me on it. Disappointed doesn't come close, so off I go to the shed & come out with plan B.
A Firestorm unit, all £25 worth. The measurements are close, the mounting holes are the same diameter & the lower shock mount width is identical too.
The top mount width is narrower & requires a washer or washers superglued to either side of the shock hole to increase the width to prevent the frame mounting point from distorting/being squeezed when tightening. I did measure it but I've forgotten.. 1 or 2mm'ish sorry
The Vtr shock is longer around 10/15mm I think, I forgot to measure that also, as I was still in a foaming fit of rage. It fitted nicely with the jackup plates & had no interfearence issues at all.
Once every thing was tightened up, I rolled it off the center stand & Bingo, it works a charm.
About 1 1/2" of static sag when on half prelode & another 2" sag when & sit on it (20 stone
) so I increased to max preload which gives about 1" static sag & another 1" maybe 1 1/2" or so with me on it.I'm 6'2" & now I'm on tip toes when sitting on it.
I have not ridden it on the road yet as it's still on sorn, but I have been bouncing around in the garden like a fool & it feels great.
I really am happy with this no risk mod, for £30 you can get a shock off ebay & see for your self :thumbleft:
