XT600z Tenere 3AJ Suspension
 

Can anyone recomend a good way to improve the suspesion on my 3AJ Tenere.
I have tried various rear shocks, standard Yamaha, rebuilt Yamaha and a Hagon. Whichever shock is fitted it always feels and looks like the rear end is too low, a bit saggy.
I entered the Beacons Rally last year on the Tenere and rear end bottomed out on a few bumps. The bottom of the silencer even has a dent from where the rear brake caliper gave it a whack!!!!
So maybe another make of shock or altering the linkage.
As to front end, standard apart from progressive springs. It's ok but still room for improvement.
Any suggestions would be appreciated...

My buddy has bought a wilbers shock for the rear on his 1992 xt600z, and wilbers progressive springs for the front. Works really well, the ass has gotten a bit up, and is a lot firmer, and the front doesn't seem to sack.

I've also added the front springs for my xt600e, helped a lot. The stock springs sacked a few cm when the bike just stood al by itself. None of that now. It can actually bee seen with the naked eye, cause the lights goes straight out, instead of hitting the road now, I'll definately need to adjust that =)

The wilbers for the rear is aroud 400euro on ebay.de The springs are around 70-90 on the same site.

The rear works fine for me right now, but i've also tightened it all the way up.

Thanks Jens, I've had a quick look at some other threads on here and it does seem like Wilbers are a popular make. Price seems ok to.
I've also seen various fork inserts, RICOR SHOCKS Racing Shocks and Bienvenido a byToto.com | www.bytoto.com (??) has anyone tried any of these ?
Or can anyone recomend a good quality suspension workshop in UK that might be able to sort it out?

Hi Brian,

Regarding your rear shock, you mention you have tried a Hagon. Have you discussed your problem with Hagon? They custom build as well, to match your weight and type of riding, and perhaps they can uprate your existing shock economically? If you go for a new Wilbers, etc.., then perhaps this should be a custom build too?

I have seen good reports regarding Ricor Intiminators, and in fact I am awaiting delivery of some (43mm) for a road bike I have. If you look around, they have been offering some good discounts through their US site.

There was a good report on the Racetek fork cartridges fitted to a 1VJ/3AJ on this site some time ago, which you may like to search for. However, the Ricor solution does appear to gain more improvement in the comparisons I have seen (especially on rough surfaces).

Hope this helps?
Geoff

I recommend you do the basics and set the sag

From what you are saying you will probably need a different spring(S)

Setting the spring rate is the most important thing you can do on a properly working shock.

A word of experience here is that if you need a much higher rate spring you will probably need to increase rebound.
It may be necessary to revalve to compensate for the extra pressure.

This is probably the most important thing to start with.

Hi Brian. You say the bikes rear end is low /a bit saggy, check the seat height, Should be 890mm / 35in, If as you say its a bit low the spring may be worn......Remember,The spring controls the height, The damper controls the damping. 3aj is one hell of a heavy mule to be chucking around in the dirt but hats off to you for trying. regards, Trev.

Thanks Trev, I like to think I 'use' the Tenere as it was intended. Only ever goes out to do these rallys now so about time I treated it to a new shock and all. The rear end tends to be far lower after a lap so probably worn spring and inards.
The Hagon shock I had didn't allow enough clearance between airbox funnels due to spring adjuster being at the top rather than bottom of shock as the standard Yamaha is. This was also the same problem I had when I tried fitting a WP shock.
Wilbers shock seem to be narrower at top. Racetech fork inserts for about £150 seem good value.

.......or YSS PD-valves from Harrie Essens at YSS-Europe for around 2/3rds the Racetech price?

well seems like i have a few options regarding fork inserts, shall be contacting them all to see what will be best.

Can anyone tell me what the static sag should be on a 1vj?
Thanks Mark

I think it should be about 10-15% of total suspension movement. Get yer calculator out.