Wilbers competition 643 Install

[rick danger]

I ordered with 15mm height adjustment and after about 20 000km the preload hose broke. I think it was a bit too short for that and stressed too much. They made me a bit longer hose in factory. I also have 100Nm spring insteadt of original 80Nm. They can also adjust manually preload area for hydraulic screw, but the spring has to be off then. Mine has now 100Nm spring and that manual preload is also tightened about 5mm. Also when they changed the hose, they made full service for the schock with oil change and seals etc. I also asked to take away that useless toolbox and it is now super easy to adjust rebound. Now the schock is perfect from solo ride to two up and luggages full. Original schock was really the worst i have had in any bike in this millenium.

One connector had to be fixed away from toolbox.

That actually looks pretty good without the side panel. My shock has a red anodized adjuster that would show. And be easy to use as well. Hmm, food for thought

 

[Jagster]

@eka I think you have made a great solution.

So, just to be clear in my understanding...... You specified a 'slightly longer' shock assembly to raise the rear of the bike up by 15mm ?
.......or specified a 15mm longer shock assembly ?

 

[eka]

The height adjustment is at top end. You have to ask for it at order. I have it adjusted as long as possible. The screw itself adjust maybe that +/- 5mm, but as in swingarm the fixing point is much closer to swingarm fixing point, it moves maybe that +/- 15 mm at wheel end. I wanted suspension to higher to scrape pegs less. Front telescopes are moved as long as possible, so tiny rise there too. I also have at front wilbers progressive low friction springs. Those actually bottomed easier than originals, so i get changed there 5mm longer preload tubes to make it stronger. Original front is not so bad though. Adjustment is quite poor, but it is good now. I have not touched for long time, but i think rebound is pretty open and compress pretty close now.

 

[rick danger]

I pulled the wheel and put a heat gun on the backside of the hugger. Got it soft and pushed it against the shock reservoir. Then hit it with some water. Got the space back where it was. The reservoir doest touch anymore. Mo betta.

 

[rick danger]

Before pic. A little to close for comfort

 

[rick danger]

Well, first ride with the shock. I think I'm gonna call it a worthwhile investment. It would have been nice to ride with the stocker one day, and the wilbers the next. But I can kind of remember the bumps from last year. Seems to be a definite improvement......now, if it would just go above freezing.

 

[camoto]

I forgot to come back with a report as well but it probably worked out because I've now got a lot of miles on the Wilbers shock.

BLUF: This shock is a massive improvement.

What was wrong for me: I was on the far ends of the stock adjustment trying to get some comfort without introducing bounce or wallowing and having to add remove preload to solve comfort issues is IMHO the wrong medicine, especially if you are within sag specs already. The roads around here have numerous quality issues and every little defect was extremely uncomfortable which is unacceptable for a road bike. I did find that my adjustments made some improvement but more of a change from very poor to poor-- not a real improvement.

The ride now is much improved and I would say it's now good and absolutely acceptable. The bike feels more confident, planted and absolutely more comfortable. Only the harshest of bumps in the road feel uncomfortable and the worst of them are completely tolerable. I didn't feel the need to change any of the settings as it came from Wilbers (nor was I expecting to given all of my details were provided and they set up the shock based on those details.) It looks great and blends in well with the color scheme of the bike and isn't a loud aftermarket replacement which I appreciate.

I do find that the shock upgrade makes notice more of the deficiencies with the front suspension but I don't think I will bother with all of that but I change my mind constantly so who knows.

I hope this helps anyone looking to make a decision on this.