2002 K2 Disco Monkey Rear Shock Compatibility

[big_lew]

I'm new to the forum, I went back and read a bunch about rear shocks fiting on DM's.

I have a 2002 Small Disco Monkey.

How much modification do I need to fit a Fox Vanilla R?  Can an RC fit if its the 7.785 version?

On the Noleen I have a 500lb spring, and it's the right spring rate, when I switch to a Fox Vanilla what spring rate should I get, the same?

Risse's are direct bolt on replacements?

[pedro]

Van Rc can only be used on large or XL frames.

Where the shock mounts to the frame you will need new bushings for the shock, or file down the stock bushings and get a bushing to go inside the stock bushings so the bolt will have no play. (The bolt diameter is smaller than the stock shock bushings).

Where the shock mounts to the swingarm, you may need a pair of thin washers to eliminate any side to side movement of the shock

THe same spring wt should be fine, as well as a spring with 50 more pounds.
The van R is livelier so initially it may feel it "bobs" more. You will adjust your pedalling but can correct with a bit heavier coil, with more initial compression, or increasing the damping.

Welcome, and enjoy your ride, the DM/evo is a great frame you will always come back to.
pedro

[numbnuts]

like pedro said you may need to mess around with bushings and maybe washers. My experience ; I got a used van r off a stinky, the upper bushings were too wide so i ground them down, also the stinky must use a 8mm upper bolt where the Evo uses a 6mm, so ihad to shim it until i got the correct bushings [i ordered from Betd in UK but I suppose you could easily get from Fox or via LBS]. I rode it with a plastic shim made from a disposable pen for 2 months without any problems. There was a little play in the lower shock eye, I think due to the eye bushing being a bit worn, shimmed it with some teflon plumbers tape and perfect now. The van r works well and can be had relatively cheaply, depends on your wt but a 500 spring should be fine. I have a 550 but i weigh 180 lbs, at first i figured it was too soft and was going to change but now i'm used to it i reckon it's spot on for trail riding, I might go to 600 if i start doing more drops.

van rc can't fit due to the reservior thingy unless you want to use a 24" rear wheel.
Have fun!

[numbnuts]

There are probably other sites that have 'spring wizard' but this is the one that i am familiar with, will give you a rough idea what spring to aim for;

www.mojo.co.uk/springs-calc.shtml

when i entered my wt it came up with 600 for a 2.3 stroke shock and 550 for a 2" stroke. I am not sure if my shock is 2 or 2.3 !

[jimbo]

van rc can't fit due to the reservior thingy unless you want to use a 24" rear wheel.
Have fun!

That's right a Van RC will only fit the small or medium frame if you are willing to use a 24 inch rear wheel.  See picture as example:

http://home.earthlink.net/~mtnk2biker/CodeSixEVO.jpg

[pedro]

My Vanilla R which is 7.87" itoi  has a two inch stroke. I wt 155 - 160 with gear and find the 500# spring nice, but a bit soft. I am ready to try a 550#.

[sammydog]

Do you think that a DNM ST-8RC (here is a link for thse of you who haven't heard of them http://www.dnmautopart.com/index_st8.html) would fit on the 2002 DM without the need for a 24" rear wheel. I will be getting a bike in about 4 weeks and have one of these shocks sitting around doing nothing.

The shock has a lenght of 215mm (8.5") and stroke of 64mm (2.5"). If I have to factor in the cost of a new rear wheel set, new forks will be out of the question.

I've run this shock with a 550lbs spring and thought it was great, hopefully this sping will be just as nice on the DM.

[numbnuts]

Just try it when the frame arrives, I can't remember anyone trying already so you can be the guinea pig. If it can't fit you'd probably be better off buying a used van r on ebay and sticking with the wheelset you have.