Rear shock cross compatibility?

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

Hi all,
My rear shock is f*cked.
It's proving impossible to find a replacement. Very few used examples come up & when they do, they generally are in worse condition than mine.
Being a "budget" type shock it's not worth rebuilding, if it could be done.
Even the makers of aftermarket shocks don't do one for my bike, as it's not too common.
Anyway I know the length of the shock from eye to eye. (345mm)
I've seen a couple of decent (oem & aftermarket) shocks for other bikes which are same length.
Would it be a bad idea to try one of these shocks?
Is there anything else I should consider?

cheers,
GAZ

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

https://www.nitron.co.uk/products/motorcycles/ntr-r1-shock
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jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Can you do a side on picture including the side and bottom of the cylinder, having seen a picture of one it would seem to be easily rebuildable.

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-Tdr-125-5AN-Shock-Strut-Yellow/402348824528?hash=item5daddbd7d0:g:CggAAOSwFJ1fJ8Lx

£140 delivered OEM secondhand
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stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

Probably overkill but

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264523430918

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

You might be able to do it by hand. You might need to compress the spring with something, though. Try it. Adjust the adjuster to the softest setting by turning it, put the bottom of the shock absorber on something solid like a workbench, or in a vice, get your hands around the top bit, at the top of the spring, as if you were trying to strangle it, and push down. If the spring can be compressed by hand, you will be able to pop out the collets or remove the collar if it's one of the sort with a gap in it, and that will allow you to remove the spring. If the spring's too strong to compress by hand, improvise with clamps or something, and get the collar or collets off as before, then get the spring off.

Once the spring's off, you can test the damper. Work it down and up, and see a) if there's any damping (or squishy bubbling noises), in which case there's at least some oil in it, or b) whether after you push the top of the damper down, it pops back up again, in which case there's still at least some gas in it.

Edit: I've just looked at your pic, the spring looks rather tough, it might not compress easily by hand. Clamp job or similar if not, but no harm done seeing if it will compress.

Edit again: It won't explode if you just get the spring off! Do that first, then come back Smile

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

I generally stick the bottom of the shock (i.e. the inner of the silentblock bush) between the jaws of my vice, and with a cord around the vice and the ends of a couple of bits of angle iron passed through the coils use them as levers, I have seen it done using straps and a small hydraulic trolley jack. The thing is you only have to compress the spring just enough to remove the collets or whatever.I'll try a pic...

Edit: