[rubiks.27]

My bike squeaks quite badly, and I’m fairly certain it’s the rear monoshock. I’ve seen on this forum and blog sites that an R1 shock would be a capable replacement. However, I’m not entirely clear on a few things.

How easy is it to swap a monoshock in your garage?

Would an R1 shock interfere with anything?

Is there a better shock for the job out there? (One that doesn’t cost $400 ) I would rather not replace it with another GL500 shock, something new... ish.

Any pointers or experience would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[reclinedrelic]

The squeal is more likely from the shock linkage than from the shock itself. See the factory service manual for details.

 

[nolimitz]

What Mike said above is very accurate

 

[danroy323]

Yes the squeal is most likely from the linkage. On my 650 the collars (steel tubes the linkage pivot on) were all heavily rusted, I had to machine new ones. With new collars and everything properly lubed the suspension moves freely.

I also wanted to upgrade the ancient air shock to something more modern. I was able to fit a CBR929RR shock while keeping the air box and battery in place. By trimming a little bit from the upper shock mounting bracket, making an adapter bracket and slightly reshaping the coolant bottle to clear the shock gas reservoir I got it to fit. Also had to use a GL500 shock link that fits with the CBR lower shock eye instead of the GL650 link that fits clevis style shocks. A shock with no gas bottle would have been easier to fit but I had no budget for a 400$ Hagon or YSS shock.

 

[bahn88]

At lot of the seasoned prolink owners in Oz disassemble and lubricate every 2 years

 

[wjvh]

That is standard advice in Uk too.

 

[TheValk]

I've heard newer CB 500 shocks fit. No personal experience though, so this is essentially a garbage post.

 

[muzza]

short term fix is to liberally drown the linkages in Inox or similar. Squirted in with the applicator straw , reapply often over several days . Place a cloth on the floor to catch drips , and dont squirt the tyre.....

 

[bahn88]

short term fix is to liberally drown the linkages in Inox or similar. Squirted in with the applicator straw , reapply often over several days . Place a cloth on the floor to catch drips , and dont squirt the tyre.....

Off topic...but also works for those "sealed" ratchets where u cant disassemble and grease....

 

[Sidecar Bob]

I figured out a way to eliminate the need for taking it apart to re-lube:

Pro-Link: Getting the grease to the bolts too

I was one of the first to install zerks in a Pro-Link, 10 years ago on my GL500. When I tried taking it apart a few years later the bolts were immovable because they were rusted into the collars. I am currently rebuilding the suspension on my 650 and did not want to go through this again so I...

www.cx500forum.com