Rear shock help for a newb?

[jetman624]

I bought a Proflex (I think it is an 856, my uncle can't remember but that is what I think I have judging from pics I have seen) bike from my uncle and the bike needs a new rear shock.  Right now I have some radiator hose in place of where these 2 yellow noleen (what ever that is) discs used to be cause they dried up hard as rocks.  It works, but radiator hose doesn't rebound to well as you can imagine, it just kinda of squishes together.

I did a search and it seams that Risse is a good replacment but dang those things are expensive.  The web site i looked at had an astro 5 listed at 298.  Is there anything else I can use?  Any web sites to buy a replacment would be sweet.  Thanks.

-Ryan

[seanzzo]

This is what you need rite here

We still have elastomers for this shock available.  Part # 13943-2
[soft], 13943-2H [medium], and 13943-2XH [hard] for the rear, depending
on the rider's weight.  Part # 13943-2, and 13943-8 for the front.  We
can sell you the parts you need direct by a credit card order please
call our customer service department at 1-800-447-3824.  The elastomers
are $18.99 each + shipping.  

[jetman624]

Well I was kinda hoping to get a way from that noleen stuff, but I will certainly keep it in mind.  Is there anyone else making shocks for these bikes other then Risse?

[junkster]

Hi,
check out the gallery for ideas, (Deano, Tmaybe,  Junkster (mine)) and loadsa others who have made adapters for 855/856 to fit all manner of shocks.

cheers,

Dan [smiley=beer.gif]

[jetman624]

Noleen J6 says they make a coilover oil dampend shock that will fit, any word on if this is any good or not?

[Frankd3000]

Welcome to the club.

The coil-over Noleen would be an upgrade (in my eyes) from the elastomers. I have them front and rear on my bike, despite it being a slightly different design. It really depends on what you want. The coil-overs, again IMHO, are easy to use - get the right spring rate, set the damping and ride. As junkster pointed out, you have options, based on your creativity, to make things as easy or complex as you'd like them to be.

Think about it in a slightly different light - you can do ANYTHING you want with this bike, in terms of suspension (the same holds true with MANY other designs). Now, what do you want to do?

I'm retro-fitting a pair of Cane Creek Cloud Nine's on my ride because i'm after more tuning flexibility, less weight and less hassle when rebuild time comes.

I'll go answer your other Q now, as I feel they're related.

Good luck with your decision and be sure to ask Q's about this stuff BEFORE you buy anything. Many other's may very well have "been there" before.

[jetman624]

I llearned the value of message boards A LLLOOONG time ago. They have come in very handy when modifying my truck and jetski.  In many respects I would be lost without them...