MikeG Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I am jumping in late to this thread but am interested in the 929 swap. Is the main advantage of the 929 shock that it has both compression and rebound damping? I also have an almost new CBR1100XX shock, but that looks like the VFR shock-only rebound damping. I also looked at the F4i shocks but it sounds like they need new springs and valves even though they have a remote reservoir. Any advantage to those over the 929, other than the length being closer to the VFR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VFR FLYER Posted June 26, 2007 Member Contributer Share Posted June 26, 2007 Has any of VFRD's master fabricators gone into the business of making up 929 shock adapter kits for us less gifted members? I am sure there is a market for such a item. from what rob posted earlier, the 954 shock is not a good option. be advised the 929 install will require some trimming of the battery box. i made several spacers of different length from 1" steel round stock. i have since decided, even painted they would start to rust. (yuk) i bought a length of 1" square bar stock of 6061 aluminum. part is much better (not perfect but i'm trying). the most critical part is the top mount hanger. the 10mm bolt has to be removed and replaced with 120mm length, welded into place. and then the bolt head has to be ground down about half its height. the stock hanger costs $12.01 plus shipping from ron ayers. so they raw costs of parts for me is about $20. rob made his own for $2 ?. having a used hanger would save the $12 but how long would the bike be apart waiting mod. if your still interested, send me a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VFR FLYER Posted August 4, 2007 Member Contributer Share Posted August 4, 2007 this post shall never die! too much good information. i've noticed lately some of these same questions keep coming up, so i decided to add a little more information. if a person has the ability to modifiy the mount for a 929 shock. i would suggest you make a new top bracket rather than use the old one. if you reuse the old one you must grind or cut the top half of the bolt head off for clearence of the top of the shock. this may NEVER be a problem, but i worry just the same. enco sells 1"x1/4"x36" ground flat bar for $22.22. you could still have the 929 shock bought and mounted under $100. your not going to beat that deal!!!! :wheel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest opus Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 So for the people that have done the bracket welding, are you just welding the hex head of the bolt right to the top of the bracket, or is it below next to the shock? I'm really fuzzy on this part and I don't see any pictures that show how the bolt gets welded to the bracket. One picture shows the old bolt totally removed and the new bolt sticking up through the bracket. But the hex head is below the bracket, and in later pictures it's gone. Do you weld it to the bracket and then cut off the hex head? Or??? Help! I am stuck at this step and want to get my bike put back together. 1995 VFR with a 929 shock. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 So for the people that have done the bracket welding, are you just welding the hex head of the bolt right to the top of the bracket, or is it below next to the shock? I'm really fuzzy on this part and I don't see any pictures that show how the bolt gets welded to the bracket.One picture shows the old bolt totally removed and the new bolt sticking up through the bracket. But the hex head is below the bracket, and in later pictures it's gone. Do you weld it to the bracket and then cut off the hex head? Or??? Help! I am stuck at this step and want to get my bike put back together. 1995 VFR with a 929 shock. Thanks! Opus, I did not weld the bolt to the bracket. I had to grind the bolt head thinner so it would clear the shock eye, then I installed the lengthened bracket into the frame, then bolted the shock to the bracket. But I did not weld the bolt to the bracket. You could have that done, no reason why not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest opus Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I had to grind the bolt head thinner so it would clear the shock eye, then I installed the lengthened bracket into the frame, then bolted the shock to the bracket. That's what I needed, thanks! I also kind of figured that out/assumed last night after talking with the welder husband of a friend's cousin. He's going to weld that up for me tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the reply! opus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest D4N Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 (edited) I just finished this mod on my fourth gen. I followed this post almost exactly and it worked fine for the 96. The washer does not fit so it was left off. I made my extension 41.5 mm which is 2.5mm over stock. There is absolutly no room for anything longer, at least on a fourth gen bike. Huge improvement over stock! Edited July 14, 2008 by D4N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickdick80 Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Hi all! I've read through this thread a couple times and would like to do this mod over winter. I have a '99 VFR that is all stock as far as this mod is concerned. I do have a couple questions though: 929 questions The 929 shock reservoir is nice and far from the exhaust, but does it require trimming the battery box? It sounds like yes; can anyone confirm, or perhaps tell me how much the battery box needs to be trimmed? I don't really feel like trimming my battery box. Are the compression/rebound adjustment screws accessible when everything's installed? 954 questions The 954 shock reservoir sits very close to the exhaust (less than an inch) but this might not be a real problem. The 954 spring is stiffer than the VFR/929 spring, yes? Does the 954 shock require any bike modification other than the upper mount? Are the compression/rebound adjustment screws accessible when installed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Peto Posted October 24, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted October 24, 2008 The 954 spring is stiffer than the VFR/929 spring, yes? Nope. The 954 spring is softer. See post #4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 just installed a 929 shock last night and it was a breeze. I used a thick axle spacer for my extension and it was 45mm, so I left it as it was. The only different things I have to add are: * the 929 spring really isnt stiff enough, but will do for now (as BR stated) I had to wind up the pre-load 4/5ths of the way up just to get a baseline. * I didnt have to trim anything on the undertray * looks like 45mm is the limit before the bottom eye touches the linkage * this is really the best modification for money/time vs results * I did weld the bolt to the bracket ( to ensure that everything remains concentric) the bike was instantly much better. Instantly familliar and confidence inspiring. sorta like when you take off trashed tyres and notice how good a new set feels, but times 10. I havent set the shock up yet becaused I had a team of mechanics tapping their toes, waiting on me to finish so they could close up the shop and go home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 You must be heavier than Honda's test-riders, because the 929 spring rate is the same as the 5th gens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer thereisnospoon Posted November 22, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2008 I just purchased a 929 with a white spring (faster, and goes with my Erion slip on, lol) and I'm looking forward to doing this and seeing what difference I feel. I'm also at almost 45k miles on the stock shock... so with all this info and a decent price why not I do like the "plush" (most seem to argue undersprung) feeling of these bikes... but a bit more "bite" would be nice. Timmy is this all you have done so far or have you put different springs in the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 havent done the front yet, I,m waiting for thermosman to steer me in the definitave direction (and help with parts). prolly going to do the F3 cartridge swap with some good springs and fresh oil (obviously) I am heavier than a honda test rider because those guys are about a buck o five wet and I am 220. Plus, who knows how old the spring was??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer seamus Posted November 23, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 23, 2008 (edited) havent done the front yet, I,m waiting for thermosman to steer me in the definitave direction (and help with parts). prolly going to do the F3 cartridge swap with some good springs and fresh oil (obviously)I am heavier than a honda test rider because those guys are about a buck o five wet and I am 220. Plus, who knows how old the spring was??? Can you post up what Thermosman's answer is when you get it? I was going to call him this week but got sidetracked at work. Edited November 23, 2008 by seamus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted November 26, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 26, 2008 So... I decided to follow the trend and replace the rear shock on my 4th gen VFR with a newer CBR929 part. Here are the measurements I got: - 4th gen VFR shock, eye center to eye center fully extended - 324mm - CBR929 (yellow spring) shock, eye center to eye center fully extended - 288mm (36mm shorter) - 4th gen VFR shock bracket, eye center to top surface - 25mm - New bracket to be made, eye center to top surface - 61mm Any corrections and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer y2kvfr Posted November 26, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 26, 2008 All you guys are driving up the fleabay shocks on me! I should have rebid on one that went for $10.50, but the CFO is watching me :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted November 27, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 27, 2008 I just thought of something... The rear shock does not sit vertical. So if you measure the VFR shock, then measure the CBR shock, then add the difference to the _bracket_ rather than the _shock_ itself... your suspension geometry (namely, riding height) will be quite different from original. Anybody got measurements and/or AutoCAD drawings of 4th gen rear suspension? Or do you just "add shims till it feels right"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JamieDaugherty Posted November 29, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 29, 2008 So... I decided to follow the trend and replace the rear shock on my 4th gen VFR with a newer CBR929 part. Here are the measurements I got:- 4th gen VFR shock, eye center to eye center fully extended - 324mm - CBR929 (yellow spring) shock, eye center to eye center fully extended - 288mm (36mm shorter) - 4th gen VFR shock bracket, eye center to top surface - 25mm - New bracket to be made, eye center to top surface - 61mm Any corrections and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The VFR shock should be 325mm and the CBR929 one is 287mm for a difference of 38mm. That would make your bracket 63mm long. I'd even err to the side of more ride height and make thet bracket at least 65mm, maybe even longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted November 29, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 29, 2008 Progress report... I bought a replacement bolt (100mm, which is 30mm longer than stock) and made the aluminum spacer (see the drawing below; unfortunately, it does not look as good in flesh - made with a hacksaw and a file instead of a milling machine). The 929 shock seems to fit, I will probably try to put it all together tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted November 29, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 29, 2008 The VFR shock should be 325mm and the CBR929 one is 287mm for a difference of 38mm. My actual measurements were 324mm and 288mm... and it's too late now, the spacer is already made (yes, I've decided to go the easy route and make a spacer instead of a bracket). We shall see what it did to the riding height when I put it back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JamieDaugherty Posted November 30, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 30, 2008 More ride height helps on these bikes. I usually suggest at least 5mm but you can run up to 10mm if desired. It's about a 3:1 ratio of shock length to ride height. That means an increase of 5mm at the shock translates to 15mm at the axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted November 30, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 30, 2008 More ride height helps on these bikes. I usually suggest at least 5mm but you can run up to 10mm if desired. Thanks for the advice, I will make a taller adapter if I'm not happy with this one. Or maybe I should make them for sale in various sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer thereisnospoon Posted December 1, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted December 1, 2008 erion_1_resize.JPG erion_2_resize.JPG Got to invest a little bit of my thumb on the spring... Here is my install. I used a <gasp> 3/8" grade 8, 5" </gasp> bolt because there weren't any 110MM 10MM bolts and I didn't feel like a goose chase. I used a ground down steel spacer with washers at each end for the additional needed length. It's a tad long but didn't take much to get in. I have the compression/rebound adjusters at about a third from full soft and I guessed at the sag and am two clicks towards stiff on the spring collar. Interested to see how it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted December 2, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted December 2, 2008 Another progress report... The new shock is in place. The battery box was a pain to reinstall. The ignition coils did not fit (the oil reservoir occupies a part of their private space) and had to be relocated. I was going to take pictures, but I lost my camera somewhere. Oh well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JamieDaugherty Posted December 2, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted December 2, 2008 Another progress report...The new shock is in place. The battery box was a pain to reinstall. The ignition coils did not fit (the oil reservoir occupies a part of their private space) and had to be relocated. I was going to take pictures, but I lost my camera somewhere. Oh well... Are you sure that you have a 929 shock and not a 954 one? They are often mislabeled on eBay or labeled as fitting both (they don't). They only battery box interference problems I've seen have been with a 954 shock, the 929 should fit without any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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