Hi PMK,
Re: As a motorcycle suspension tuner since the mid 70's, I will say the Elka recommended rebuild interval is fairly routine and common with most brands.
Not an argument, only a question based upon your experience. Are you saying this for what might be termed 'high performance' shocks or are you saying this for all shocks, including the factory supplied items?
I've had cars/pickups go 200k miles with factory shocks.
Jerry Baumchen
Jerry, FWIW, the shocks you mention, supplied as oem on a car or truck, and can not be taken apart to service do not apply. There is nothing that can be done, unless you modify them, so they are disposable.
Does the oil breakdown and seals wear in non rebuildable shocks also? The answer is yes. Also, many of those are low performance and stress the fluid less, so it does last longer.
Will an Elka or other high performance series shock last a long time. They certainly can. I have worked on stuff that had not been apart for many years, simply replaced a main seal and fluid and went many more years.
The Elka and other shock manufacturers 12 month interval is a recommendation. It is not a requirement.
The average Spyder is not punishing the front shocks in most cases. Like a car, the shocks move very little unless encountering a bump. These 12 month, and sometimes less intervals are based on more of a performance situation where the suspension is more intensely used. It is published though, so it does allow Elka to make a case by case judgement if there is a true warranty claim.
Elka having the stuff sent to a service center in the US is actually good customer service. They have removed customs and delays there. The shocks are simple by design and should be an easy rebuild. $85 per shock is very reasonable, assuming it includes parts and fluid. That gives the tech about 45 minutes per shock to log the incoming settings paperwork for spring length, and clicker settings plus visual inspection. Then remove the spring, degas and disassemble. Clean and inspect all parts. Replace seals, reassemble while servicing fluid and N2. Not sure what seal Elka uses on the main shaft for a seal, but some of them can retail in the $10>$15 range, others can be inexpensive. The fluid often is high end, and can retail as high as $25 per litre.
For comparison, and I have not read the warranty info. Since a Ford Raptor comes equipped with Fox suspension as oem. I wonder if they have a recommended service interval on those shocks and if they fall outside the oem warranty items.
PK
