Rear shock leaking on RM 250

FlaNard
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FlaNard
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2012 12:01am
So Im not exactly sure what happened to make oil come out of my rear shock, but for whatever reason, there it is. I have heard that these are not the easiest things to rip into to fix, and I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience that would be willing to offer me some tips. Ive fixed damn near everything else on a bike at one point or another, but this is a first for me. 05 RM 250.
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scooter5002
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scooter5002 7/9/2011 6:41am
7/9/2011 6:41am
Without getting into the long song and dance of the whole job, and not trying to insult your intelligence, you might be best off taking it to a shop. It is complex enough, you need a cylinder of nitrogen and a very finite gauge to re-fill the bladder in the reservoir. Buying all that stuff makes the job a little cost prohibitive. Dollar wise, having someone do it is the best. Just my 2 cents worth. I do ALL my own work, and still take the shock out in the spring to have it serviced.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 7/9/2011 8:19am
7/9/2011 8:19am
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should be able to fix you up..
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/9/2011 8:33am
7/9/2011 8:33am
Although It can be a bit tricky, Just use common sense and you'll be fine.
Depressurize the bladder. If it does not have a schrader valve, Its best to have it done for you. You have to have a needle setup.
That is the most important step.. You have 150 to 175 psi in that shock bladder, that thing can do some harm.
Its sound like a bad seal head. You can replace the whole seal head or repair it. I would recommend replacing it
and be done with it.

jdubbya
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/9/2011 8:35am
7/9/2011 8:35am
lumpy790 wrote:
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should...
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should be able to fix you up..
That sounds a bit steep for a rebuild, IMO. For that price you can get a revalve on that shock.

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xnationalwrench 7/9/2011 9:14am
7/9/2011 9:14am
lumpy790 wrote:
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should...
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should be able to fix you up..
jdubbya wrote:
That sounds a bit steep for a rebuild, IMO. For that price you can get a revalve on that shock.
Like the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
motofab36
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motofab36 7/9/2011 10:09am
7/9/2011 10:09am
xnationalwrench wrote:
Like the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
Thats not really a fair statement, we charge $80 labor plus parts, a seal head kit retails for 37.95(and I usually give a discount off that)and oil is about $12. So about 130-140.

Another comparison from a well known susp. shop http://www.jm-racingmb.com/revalve-rebuild-springs-pricing_4.html
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/9/2011 6:25pm
7/9/2011 6:25pm
lumpy790 wrote:
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should...
Its not the easiest and a slip could completely ruin the shock. Find a Local MX suspension shop in your area and for $150-$250 they should be able to fix you up..
jdubbya wrote:
That sounds a bit steep for a rebuild, IMO. For that price you can get a revalve on that shock.
xnationalwrench wrote:
Like the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
No, your absolutely correct. I didn't figure in the seal head. I just saw 250 not the 150.

However, 130 to 150 sounds about right for a complete rebuild.
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/9/2011 6:27pm
7/9/2011 6:27pm
xnationalwrench wrote:
Like the old saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
motofab36 wrote:
Thats not really a fair statement, we charge $80 labor plus parts, a seal head kit retails for 37.95(and I usually give a discount off that)and...
Thats not really a fair statement, we charge $80 labor plus parts, a seal head kit retails for 37.95(and I usually give a discount off that)and oil is about $12. So about 130-140.

Another comparison from a well known susp. shop http://www.jm-racingmb.com/revalve-rebuild-springs-pricing_4.html
Yep, thats about right. Smile
FlaNard
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FlaNard 7/9/2011 8:17pm
7/9/2011 8:17pm
Thanks for the info guys. Im looking into places in Utah to get it done as we speak. I heard they were a pain to work on, but I figured Id get a second opinion from some other riders on here.
captmoto
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captmoto 7/9/2011 9:27pm
7/9/2011 9:27pm Edited Date/Time 7/9/2011 9:30pm
Fineline Suspension in St. George Utah, serving southern Utah and southern Nevada.
Utah: Phone: (435) 229-2784
FlaNard
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FlaNard 7/9/2011 11:08pm
7/9/2011 11:08pm
captmoto wrote:
Fineline Suspension in St. George Utah, serving southern Utah and southern Nevada.
Utah: Phone: (435) 229-2784
Thanks! I'll give them a ring on Monday.
TerryK
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TerryK 7/10/2011 10:52am
7/10/2011 10:52am Edited Date/Time 7/10/2011 10:53am
I've always done my own, but now it's so reasonable to get it done I just don't bother getting my hands dirty on a shock.
mxb2
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mxb2 7/10/2011 10:55am
7/10/2011 10:55am
TerryK wrote:
I've always done my own, but now it's so reasonable to get it done I just don't bother getting my hands dirty on a shock.
Hey TerryK , what your opinion on the 03 rm250, my buddy is selling his , like 20 hours on it , all stock. Whats a fairprice ?
lumpy790
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lumpy790 7/10/2011 8:20pm
7/10/2011 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 7/10/2011 8:21pm
A leaking shock can have more than just a blown seal head......and the higher repair bill. Sad If enough fluid has leaked out the bladder can pop a hole in it. The chrome can wear off the shaft creating a low spot for the oil to flow past. Chrome wear is a common problem on older bikes and is difficult to have re-chromed.
FlaNard
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FlaNard 7/11/2011 12:13am
7/11/2011 12:13am
lumpy790 wrote:
A leaking shock can have more than just a blown seal head......and the higher repair bill. :( If enough fluid has leaked out the bladder can...
A leaking shock can have more than just a blown seal head......and the higher repair bill. Sad If enough fluid has leaked out the bladder can pop a hole in it. The chrome can wear off the shaft creating a low spot for the oil to flow past. Chrome wear is a common problem on older bikes and is difficult to have re-chromed.
I always give my bike a good look over after every ride (or try to) and I had never noticed anything until after this ride. So hopefully nothing is damaged worse from me riding for an extended period of time on a leaking shock. Im still so thrown by it, because I have never seen one of these things fail before. I talked to a friend who said he would revalve/rebuild it for me for $350, which is a little bit more then Im looking to spend right now. Im going to call the shop in St. George, but Im hoping to find someone closer to Salt Lake where I work.
captmoto
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captmoto 7/11/2011 7:13am
7/11/2011 7:13am
Do you have a decent shop near you? It seems that most shops could handle that job. Maybe try to find out who they use and check them out. I'm kinda spoiled here in So Cal being 30 minutes from all the major players for suspension. Good luck.
FlaNard
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FlaNard 7/11/2011 5:00pm
7/11/2011 5:00pm
captmoto wrote:
Do you have a decent shop near you? It seems that most shops could handle that job. Maybe try to find out who they use and...
Do you have a decent shop near you? It seems that most shops could handle that job. Maybe try to find out who they use and check them out. I'm kinda spoiled here in So Cal being 30 minutes from all the major players for suspension. Good luck.
I honestly have not found a shop I like within about an hour of Salt Lake so far. But thats just the people you deal with at the counter, not the guys doing the work on the bikes. Because honestly, I havent had to take my bike in to be worked on in any of these shops.
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/11/2011 10:28pm
7/11/2011 10:28pm
lumpy790 wrote:
A leaking shock can have more than just a blown seal head......and the higher repair bill. :( If enough fluid has leaked out the bladder can...
A leaking shock can have more than just a blown seal head......and the higher repair bill. Sad If enough fluid has leaked out the bladder can pop a hole in it. The chrome can wear off the shaft creating a low spot for the oil to flow past. Chrome wear is a common problem on older bikes and is difficult to have re-chromed.
ah, good point there lumpy! Smile

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FlaNard
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FlaNard 7/15/2011 4:14pm
7/15/2011 4:14pm
Looks like Im trying this myself. I havent found a shop that is willing to do it for less then $250 (parts and labor.) Fuck that. Wish me luck.
motofab36
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motofab36 7/16/2011 10:24am
7/16/2011 10:24am
Good luck.

You could have shipped it to me last week and had it fixed for less than that with shippingWhistling
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/16/2011 9:15pm
7/16/2011 9:15pm
motofab36 wrote:
Good luck.

You could have shipped it to me last week and had it fixed for less than that with shippingWhistling
Same here. for around 150 I could revalved it. Make sure you depressurize it. Use safety glasses. When you pull the shock
shaft out, make sure your head is to the side or you will lose some teeth.
Good luck.
FlaNard
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FlaNard 7/17/2011 4:58pm
7/17/2011 4:58pm
Well Im open to discussing this if you guys (anyone) can do this for a reasonable price. $250 was the low end around here. I had some that were well into the $300's.
jdubbya
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jdubbya 7/22/2011 6:06am
7/22/2011 6:06am
FlaNard wrote:
Well Im open to discussing this if you guys (anyone) can do this for a reasonable price. $250 was the low end around here. I had...
Well Im open to discussing this if you guys (anyone) can do this for a reasonable price. $250 was the low end around here. I had some that were well into the $300's.
Message sent Flanard

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