How to: fit a BMW s1000rr rear shock to a VFR 400 nc30

[Tim400GB]

Thought I would post up a quick guide as the question seemed to be asked alot recently. Rick - I hope you dont mind, used a few of you pictures. Mods - feel free to modify/delete

How to: fit a BMW s1000rr rear shock to a VFR 400 nc30

1.
With your new BMW s1000rr rear shock you will first need to replace the spring. The general concensus seems to be for the average rider weight of 10 to 12 stone use a 800lbs spring, around 14 stone up use an 850lbs spring. This is only a guide and you may need a different spring depending on your riding style/ability. If you do not have the correct tools/ability to change the spring, get professional help.


1.1
A few of the suspension specialists have described a lack of rebound damping in these shocks. Depending on how much money you want to spend/will be using it in racing, you may want to get it revalved to suit the heavier spring.

1.2
As a basic setting, this is what is recommended in the BMW riders manual for 'normal' riding
High speed compression - 6, low speed compression - 4

Rebound - 5



2.
With your new BMW shock you will have to slim the top of the shock down to fit into VFR frame, to aprox 38.4mm across. (alternatively you can widen the inside of the frame to suit the shock- I chose not to do it this way to keep the frame standard)


3.
Hold the bike, you will need an ABBA type centre stand (NOT a rear paddock stand) or something to hold the rear of the bike up. Remove your old shock, you may have to remove the wheel, any hugger fitted and undertray to do so.

or


4.
You will need to file the frame back slightly on the back of the undertray mount. 3mm approx.


5.
You will need to remove the brake line holder on the undertray, use a small cable tie to hold the rear brake line in place instead.

6.
Fit the shock and any other remaining parts. All shock and linkage bolts are tightened to 45Nm.


7.
Enjoy!

7.1
You will also probably need to start thinking about resetting the rear shock sag. BMW recommended is 20-25mm

[porndoguk]

Dont mind at all, I would be setting the sag to 30mm i dont think the VFR would like it to be too stiff

[jim157]

Nice guide. Be interested to hear some feedback once you boys have had a chance to try these shocks out on the road.

[force-v4]

So how are you setting the sag up?

This has come a long way from Paul having a match up on ebay & having a go, to me spreading the word via fb!

There are a couple of members from the US that have these fitted & they ride the road & track, they say even with a standard spring, it works well in both situations but it does need the spring.

[porndoguk]

So how are you setting the sag up?

This has come a long way from Paul having a match up on ebay & having a go, to me spreading the word via fb!

There are a couple of members from the US that have these fitted & they ride the road & track, they say even with a standard spring, it works well in both situations but it does need the spring.

Use a datum point on the subframe to top of hub bolt,

Measure on abba stand so bike has no weight on shock.

Measure with bike upright

Measure with rider witb gear on

You need the difference between step 1 and step 3 to be about 30mm.
and the diffrrence between step1 and step 2 to be about 5-15mm

Rick

[force-v4]

Now that I understand, cheers mate.

[Cammo]

Nice write up, looks like a decent lower cost shock option.

How does the length of the bmw shock compare to the nc30?

Where are peeps sourcing their beemer shocks from? I can see a couple on US ebay.

[force-v4]

There was a steady flow of shocks on ebay, as new bikes were being stripped for various race series etc & the standard parts sold off.
There is 1 on ebay @ the mo, its £120 start bid but isn't brand new like all the rest & new 1's were £100 & under.

[krisztian_andre]

The general concensus seems to be for the average rider weight of 10 to 12 stone use a 800lbs spring, around 14 stone up use an 850lbs spring. This is only a guide and you may need a different spring

Is that with gear on or nekkid?

[leef82]

Does it raise the rear at all?