Rear Shock, Bolivia, Argentina or Chile
 

We are in La Paz Bolivia and need a new or good used rear shock for our Vstrom 1000. We could change it in Bolivia, Argentina or Chile. It has become very tired avfter 75,000 miles and some very bumpy roads from Mexico to here..
Thanks for any help.

Maybe there are some shock specialists there somewhere? Seems like BA might have someone who can rebuild that KYB shock? Dunno.

I've even seen a few tutorials on line for KYB rebuilds (for DR650). May be some for Vstrom too? It's easier than you think. You DO NEED new seals and a few other new parts, which you'd have to order. Then, fresh oil and a fresh Nitrogen charge.

Several DR650 guys have done this to mediocre DR650 shock and actually made it much better than stock.

Finding new or used replacement could be a challenge. But I believe they do sell the Vstrom in Colombia ... and perhaps Ecuador too?
Maybe a local dealer there could send you a new/used shock?

Other option is to contact some of the BIG Vstrom forums ... like Stromtroopers:
Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums

Lots of those guys have spares laying around ... maybe someone could send one down? But then you'd have to navigate customs, pay duty et al.

As a stop gap ... maybe try to recharge Nitrogen?

Good luck! bier

Visit Walter Nosiglia the Honda dealer in La Paz. He will know if the shock can be rebuilt/serviced in Bolivia or if you have to go further afield.

Do a hubb search or browse the South America mechanics section for his address. You'll recognise him if you get to the dealership. He's Chuck Norris' twin :-)

Good luck!

You can get it rebuilt professionally with new seals, oil and gas in Santiago Chile for sure, had one done in 2011, sorry can't remember the place but there is an area of the city which has lots of motorcycle shops.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll check the Honda dealer here.

Did you try the Suzuki dealer?
 

Hi Garry,

Did you contact the Suzuki dealer in La Paz?

Showroom

Personally I would spend the money, buy a new shock, have a trained professional install it correctly and go back to enjoying the trip of a life time. If you are inclined to spend time hanging out with parts dealers and hunting down all the needed resources to rebuild, then a shop to install...then go for it. On the *potential* downside, rebuilding once can mean rebuilding it again, not far down the road, but too far to return to the mechanic that did the work.

If the Suzuki dealer is expensive, sure seek options. They may have the shock in stock or can get it in the shortest amount of time from another dealer in Bolivia. And just because you buy a part from a dealer doesn't mean they have to install it...

Garry IS a "trained professional" :thumbup1:... look into his back ground and business. The guy knows bikes ... and even a novice can remove/replace the shock on the Vstrom, it's an easy job. Getting a new shock is another matter. :oops2:

Rebuilding a shock takes more specialized skill and experience ... but I would not count Garry out on this either. Or ... if the Suzuki dealer are good, maybe they can rebuild it and order in the parts?

BTW, the discounted retail price of the DL1000 shock from Suzuki is $1042 usd. I'd bet in Bolivia it's about double that price. (import duty). So maybe $2000 usd. Any bets NO dealer in Bolivia stocks that shock? ... so probably at least a 3 week wait for it ... unless it can be sourced from Colombia?

IMO, no bargain buying a new shock.

With a good tutorial I'm sure Garry could rebuild the Kayaba shock himself. Getting new seals and parts in a timely manner is the problem.

Good luck Garry! Hope things break your way soon! bier

I'd go for the Santiago rebuild option, you can certainly stick to tarmac all the way there from La Paz, even if you loop through Uyuni 1st (go via Potosi, double back and take the Patamanca to Arica crossing). There are probably some road works still up to Oruru but then good tarmac all the way.

I can contact my mate Juan in Santiago if needed to find out where to go for repairs, actually I may have an address 'cos he took me there for shock servicing :-).

Otherwise it is get down to 10 Julio and have fun :-)

Thanks again. I checked into getting a new shock from Suzuli but there isn't one in stck in Bolivia. It would cost just under $1,000 USD which I guess is quite good but would take up tp 70 days tp get here.
The shock is completely F´ed as the rear tires is hitting the mudguard. It can't get much worse so we´ll keep going until will find somewhere to either fix it or replace it.

HU Community Contact
 

Hi Garry,

Getting parts in SA can be a nightmare. I brought parts to La Paz for the guy who was watching my bike... I found him like I found you in Mexico City.

Contact a Community | Horizons Unlimited

You might not remember, but in the spring of 2013 I posted to the Mexico City email list, looking for a good place to buy tires. You and some others steered me in the right direction. Have you tried contacting locals through the country/city contact lists?

Maybe someone out there has a used shock or a friend that is traveling from outside of SA to a place near you, or a place where you are headed.

If the shock simply cannot be found in SA, fall back and DHL or similar... If you need someone in the US to get the part, let me know. Point me to a supplier and pick a shipping service. I'll take care of the details and we can settle up later. You have been a great friend to many riders passing through MX. I would be more than happy to help support your trip.

KYB rebuild tutorial - Race Tech
 

Just stumbled across this brief tutorial on rebuilding the KYB shock on a DR650.
The Vstrom's is different ... but not that different. I've seen a better tutorial somewhere but this might do ... also, you may find a tutorial for the Vstrom on the Race Tech web site ... I'll take a look. Meantime, here is a good start for how to get into that shock.

More on Race Tech site for servicing shocks:
http://racetech.com/page/id/138

DR650 Race Tech Gold Valve Installation - ProCycle

Other option might be to Air freight your shock to Cogent Dynamics in N. Carolina ... Rick is a great guy and I'm betting he could turn your shock around in a day or two and send it back in Better Than New condition.

Cogent do a fine job!

Garry,
Any news on getting your shock fixed? Back on the road?

Hope it's going well ... hang in!

bier