Author Topic: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d  (Read 6945 times)

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Offline Paul552

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Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« on: February 06, 2013, 09:32:50 pm »
I want to get the suspension checked out on the 125d I fixed up .

Just looking for opinions on the forks and mono shock.

Should I just get the shock rebuilt or replace it??

How much should it cost to get it set up or my weight 90 kg?

I keep hearing about people spending big money and to be honest I don't know we're to start.
I have ridden the bike a bit and it seems pretty good except for the odd bottom out.

I want to start this year at heaven but not so sure how far I need to go on the set up.

To add I am a pretty s$&t rider :)

Not sure if it will help :)
'77 YZ125D '84 CR250RE '89 CR250RK '84 CR80RE  '09 YZ250F

Offline Ted

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2013, 09:55:19 pm »
Are you going to the Heaven meet at Buladelah early march. If so I will have prices and recommendations from Teknik for you to go over

Cheers
81 YZ 465 H   77 RM 125 B

Offline motomaniac

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2013, 09:55:55 pm »
the most cost effective way is to get the shock rebuilt with a modern bumpstop and stiffer spring , the internals can also be upgraded.

Offline Viper666

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2013, 10:10:07 pm »
Forks, standard with 10-15wt oil, no air & with forks colapsed oil height 110mm from the top. Then play with the height, give or take, 10mm at a time.

Shock, again standard with 10-15wt oil, pressure 250lbs & a standard spring from a 250/400.

This is for, by your own admission, an average rider. No need for fancy stuff.

As you get better look to add emulators to the forks and a Fox Shox or other replacement for the rear.

Even though while you are "learning" a better suspension will help you must weigh up cost against results.

All my bikes run standard shocks & forks, some altered, some stock. (Average, maybe a little better, rider)

The most fun I have is on my YZ125F which runs stock 125 front forks but with IT175 damper rods (Adds 3/4" travel) & a 250/400 rear shock (One extra shim, heavier spring & an inch of travel over the 125.)
« Last Edit: February 06, 2013, 10:15:43 pm by Viper666 »
Thank the Lord for Melbourne Bitter, anti-inflamatory drugs & an understanding wife.
YZ80H, YZ100G, YZ125E, YZ125F, YZ125G, YZ250D, YZ250E, YZ250F, YZ250G, YZ250H, YZ400F, IT125G, IT250K & a, a, a,      CRF250X???????    

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Montynut

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2013, 10:41:07 pm »
The best money you can spend one your VMX hobby after fixing the bike up to start with is on good suspension and good tyres. They will have a much bigger affect on your enjoyment and performance than JT riding gear ;) ;D Sorry Ted couldn't help myself.

You can improve your suspension along the lines that Viper666 describes and the improvement is worthwhile. I just feel that instead of going along that path and then later upgrading the internals it is better to do the upgrade straight up. It tramsforms the suspension from 30yrs old suspenders that are well used even if freshened up into something that is as close to 'modern' performance as possible. It does cost a bit of money but most people head down that path eventually anyway.

PD valves in front forks with new linear springs to suite your weight.
Valve upgrade (gold valve type of gear can be fitted to YZ-D or so I've been told) for rear mono shock with new bump stop and spring

One of the Heaven Pre78 riders could not believe the transformation those upgrades made to his YZ400D and was looking forward to doing the same to his YZ125D

Yes you have to look at cost versus benifit but doing it right the first time saves money in the long run and increases the enjoyment of the ride regardless of what position you finish. Just my thoughts

Offline Nathan S

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2013, 11:45:00 pm »
Use YZ250/400D forks & triples if you can find them. Much better forks, with less-flexy 38mm legs, stiffer springs and more travel.
I wouldn't bother fitting cartridge emulators to the original 125 forks - it's not really polishing a turd, but does seem a lot like overcapitalising to me.

Stock rear shock can have an internal spacer shortened to increase travel & length. The spring needs to be preloaded with a spacer to match the extra length. Then limit the total travel to 9" with an external spacer. Simply replacing the oil and regassing will massively improve the shock.
Your bumpstop will be gone/rubbish by now - a new one will make a surprising improvement.


The major hardware of the rear end is pretty good - steel bodied 46mm ID and a decent sized shaft means that those bits can't really be improved upon with a new shock. However, it's possible & worthwhile to fit a modern valve piston to the shock. THere's a solid performance improvement to be had, providing they know what they're doing/everyone involved is willing to spend the time working it out.
Maybe you could upgrade to a remote resevoir with adjustable compression dampening if you are really keen - even so, this can be added to the original shock body if you go down that path.

I blindly jammed the valve piston & stock shim stack from a '93 CR125 into my YZ250G. It's too slow in the rebound, so it will have to come apart and be revalved. But even so, the overall performance of the shock is streets ahead of the standard shock... :D
« Last Edit: February 06, 2013, 11:49:23 pm by Nathan S »
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maico police

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2013, 07:46:59 am »
I have a really low hour 125 d shock. It's just been rebuilt with new seal head, bump stop and Maxima 7 WT fluid.
It looks like it's done bugger all work. In really good condition. I did repaint the body as paint had flaked off after cleaning.
I'll get some pics up when I get in the shed.
The fresh shock alone would be a major improvement for you but I could fit a Gold Valve to tune it to your individual riding style. You may need a spring depending on your weight.
The front can be well improved on also.

$350.00 for the shock as it is or.....
I can rebuild your own shock. PM me if you're interested :)
« Last Edit: February 07, 2013, 07:49:57 am by Mont »

maico police

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2013, 08:57:51 am »








It has a Race Tech seal head as opposed to the Yamaha one shown in the bottom pic.

Offline Rossvickicampbell

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2013, 09:48:35 am »
depending upon budget - $500 for a brand new Works Performance delivered to the door and set up for my weight.  One of the best things I ever did.
1974 Yamaha YZ360B
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Offline Paul552

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2013, 07:46:45 pm »
Are you going to the Heaven meet at Buladelah early march. If so I will have prices and recommendations from Teknik for you to go over

Cheers

I will be there.
I was hoping to get it done before that.

Teknik is close to me

'77 YZ125D '84 CR250RE '89 CR250RK '84 CR80RE  '09 YZ250F

Offline Paul552

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2013, 07:50:45 pm »
depending upon budget - $500 for a brand new Works Performance delivered to the door and set up for my weight.  One of the best things I ever did.

Who supplied  it???
'77 YZ125D '84 CR250RE '89 CR250RK '84 CR80RE  '09 YZ250F

Offline Davey Crocket

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2013, 08:02:50 pm »
Works performance direct or I can get you a good price if you want.
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Offline motomaniac

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2013, 08:04:34 pm »
Are you going to the Heaven meet at Buladelah early march. If so I will have prices and recommendations from Teknik for you to go over

Cheers

I will be there.
I was hoping to get it done before that.

Teknik is close to me



the teknic were $900 a while ago

Offline Big Scotty

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2013, 08:35:08 pm »
G'day TFR
I had Ian whightman rebuild my forks with emulators and new springs,also the back shock rebuilt with new valving and lengthened the stroke,new oil and gas,it's set up for a 100 kilo rider,cost about $800,if your going to buladelah in march you can have a ride and compare before you spend the $$$$' I raced it for two years as standard and it was fine
yz400d yz125d yz490k

Offline Paul552

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Re: Mono shock upgrade YZ125d
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2013, 08:38:59 pm »
G'day TFR
I had Ian whightman rebuild my forks with emulators and new springs,also the back shock rebuilt with new valving and lengthened the stroke,new oil and gas,it's set up for a 100 kilo rider,cost about $800,if your going to buladelah in march you can have a ride and compare before you spend the $$$$' I raced it for two years as standard and it was fine

Hey Scotty that sounds like a good deal!!

Thanks heaps Paul

'77 YZ125D '84 CR250RE '89 CR250RK '84 CR80RE  '09 YZ250F