[tchui]

Hi all,

Read through nearly everything about the ds shock conversion and many have done it but very few have written comments or reviews after.

I think its been a while now since the idea lifted off, can those that have done it comment on it in a little detail?

My understanding is the ds450x shock is longer and not the one to go for, though it is more adjustable.

Using the oe 700xx spring raises the front quite high and using the ds450 spring also raises it higher, but not by so much.

The ds450 spring is softer (what length is it vs the oe 700’s) and is compensated for by adjusting (increasing) the compression settings.

Am i right so far?

is it an impossible idea to machine on some more thread onto the ds shock body (without dis assembly) so that I can bring the height lower using either spring (but ideally the oe one)?

thanks

 

[Brokenbones]

Maybe try cutting oem spring

 

[tchui]

i dont think it would sit properly after being cut...

 

[tchui]

oops.. its obviously not possible to machine as the reservoir would be in the way... no one willing to give details on the worthiness / shortfalls of the swap?

 

[tchui]

no one? must not be a good idea doing the swap then....

 

[monsterperformance]

I just revalved another set of DS450 shocks for the TRX. I shorten them 1" overall to maintain ride heigth. For aggressive ridiers I tend to revalve, non aggressive riders the simple oil change will suffice AS STOCK KYB OIL IS JUNK. My experience with KYB's is VERY GOOD

the shortening is done by an internal spacer, not by cutting the shaft as some may think

the progressive rate springs on the 450 shocks are OK unless you really beat the piss out of the bike or are on the *heavier* side

the avg charge to revalve the pair and shorten is $146. some shops want far more than that which i feel is raping the customer

the 17.625 CTC i set them at works well! the modding of the upper eyelet i will do for an additional charge.

in the end the work is worth it. having rebound and compression adjust shocks beit mass manufactured yes but still GOOD increase the ride quality ten fold

If anyone needs help getting the DS450 shocks setup for the TRX please just email me [email protected]

my website is monsterperf.com

 

[tchui]

thanks for the post. wish you had done it two days ago as i think my shocks are on the way here by now (im in kenya) maybe you can sell me this spacer alone?

but before that let me ask you, if you have shortened the overall length then you have reduced the effective travel, correct?

also, the open length of the ds shock is the same as the trx open length, yet the bike sits higher with the oe ds set up

so, does it not mean that either the length of the ds spring or tension of the ds spring is more than that of the oe trx spring?

my point is that is it not a spring related problem, rather than shock?

my GUESS is that the ds spring is rated lower than trx but the spring is longer, thus the bike sits higher without a rider but probably lower with one.

the polaris shocks which i was going to go for, but couldnt find concrete dimensions of them and had to come to decison, have threads all the way up the body, so getting them to accept the oe trx spring (or even ds spring) and then re valving to suit is a better way forward imo especially if the head size is same as trx as claimed in a post in this forum so no cutting etc

i am 65kg butt naked and wont be showing the bike any mercy.

 

[monsterperformance]

the ds spring rates vary. some of them stock are 100/175, some are softer in the range of 80/150

the trx front rate is linear and far stiffer thus the higher ride heigth. i have rated them anywhere from 160 to 200#

the DS fronts are over an inch longer than the std TRX shocks but the xmx ds shocks are even longer. you really have to watch what you do when swapping shocks. if the extended eye to eye is the same that doesnt always mean the shock is "swappable". the compressed length is sometimes more crucial. most manufacturers are on the light side for compressed length leaving available travel on the table!

 

[tchui]

what i have READ is that the stock ds shock with ds spring sits higher by 1 inch, and with the trx spring sits even higher.

many have posted that the stock ds450 shock and trx unit are the same open length, which you now say say is one inch shorter(the ds one is shorter)

take that further, you are shortening it further by one inch so now its two inches shorter in total open length.

so what is the travel possible with your moded shock, stock ds shock and stock trx shock?

i appreciate your input. thanks!

 

[monsterperformance]

I typed a little too fast there, my apologies! I'm sort of the "rain man" of shocks. ever see that movie?

the trx fronts are a touch under 18 and the ds shocks depending on the vintage and model (std or xmx,xc,etc) range from 18.50 to 19.50

after modding the STD DS shock, single compression and rebound adjust, there is 3" of shaft travel with about 1/2" more built into the bump stop.

i'll post some pics the next time i have each in the shop to verify this for you guys.

the older orignal DS shocks were closer to 18", been a while since i have had these inm the shop, most have "offed" them. most should keep the KYB's as they are decent shocks that can be resprung, revalved and made to suit most riders. In sno-x which I race here in the northeast MOST pro riders and almost all sport riders run their KYB's on their skidoo race sleds.

a shock with a progressive rate spring will always sag more than a shock with a linear spring UNLESS the PR shock has very stiff valving OR the linear is super soft in rate. in the case at hand the TRX spring is much stiffer than any DS PR spring offered

 

[crwh45]

The DS shocks are in fact longer tchui. By around an inch. measuring eye let to eye let.

 

[StepNez]

Ds450

After months of research and no real answers, I finally had someone answer all my concern with the ds450 shocks. If anyone read some of my posts, I was concerned about the extra height the 450 shocks added to the front end. I was all over the can am forums trying to get some knowledge about spring lengths and the various shocks used on the ds450. Just as I gave up, Ian from monster performance emailed me exactly what I needed and explained everything in detail.

After talking with Ian, we decide the best thing to do was to shorten the shocks which I sent to him on Friday and should have them back today. I will be testing them Friday in pa and will let you guys know how they turn out.

All I can tell you so far is that Ian is stand up guy and was way cheaper than a couple of quotes I got from some other shops. I won't mention names because I am not here to bad mouth people, but so far the experience has been much smoother than my other dealings.

I will post the results of the ride height after the install, which should be tonight, and let you guys know the results of my pa ride.

 

[markas214]

\ was way cheaper than a couple of quotes I got from some other shops. I ride.

Wondering what you have into these. You can get stage 2 Elkas for $620 to your door. I imagine you're getting close to that not to mention you need to cut into your shock mounts.

 

[aschuck]

Markas214
I would like to know where you can get stage 2 's for $620.00.
I couldn't find them under list,even called some sponsers from here.
Sorry, don't want to highjack thread can you PM me.

 

[tchui]

finally some responses to the thread!

monster if the trx spring is stiffer than the ds spring, how come the bike sits higher on the ds units and not lower? shouldnt it sag down and use up all the travel?

im all for this working out hell i spent 250 bucks on the shocks! that includes freight (costly) and they are brand new take offs. 08 model.

did i tell you i havent even recieved the bike yet!

im pretty handly and if you can supply me the moded shaft and or parts im sure i can fit them myself.

what was the original travel and is 3 inch enough for desert type racing?

 

[tchui]

stepnez very much looking forward to your ride report. im pretty sure ive read your posts on here and canam forum.
tell me abit about the riding you do, skill level, weight, other mods etc.

im planning to put the stock trx front springs on to the back have you any info / comments on that?

im hoping it will be soft and comfy for our terrian and then get li8ton sway bar to stop it from rolling over. dunno if i got suspension dynamics figured out in my head tho lol

i envy the guys that are getting the bike for 4600 new was it?

 

[monsterperformance]

the added length of the DS shock over the stocker TRX despite the softer spring rate of the DS will still rais ethe ride hegth. IF the DS used a 50# spring but still was 1" longer THEN the DS shock in stock form would sag more than the TRX setup. i apologize if I am confusing sometimes, things are not always black and white with suspension

3" of travel for racing is pretty light unless its TT or XC with little rough terrain. MX needs alot more wheel travel than 3" of shaft travel can supply

STEPNEZ, THANK YOU for the positive feedback thus far. I am currently looking into becoming a site sponsor here. I am well known on other sites, more so sled variety but some other ATV ones too.

tchui, in order to "mod" the shock you need to be versed in valving and rebuilding KYB shocks. not to be rude, are you?

Ian

 

[Qaz]

Elka ATV Stage 1 Stock Geometry Non-Res Front Shocks (PAIR)
Price: $495.00

i think id rather have these then go through all that i doubt many recreational riders could even tune a shock with adjustments to improve the performance. i love watching guys with 3 to 4k in shocks go by and their quad looks like crap (handeling wise)

 

[monsterperformance]

Qaz,
your reply above is why my shop stands out against much of the competition. When i sell or service your shocks I aide fully in tuning them in. Any locals that ride or practice at tracks I frequent I will help dial in their sled, bike and quad. people thousands of miles away are only an email, picture or phone call from their question being awnsered.

you are right though, a turn here and a click there can make all the differance in how a suspension will work

RAKE, RIDER SAG and FREE SAG are crucial factors many overlook. tire pressure and camber/castor & toe too!

Ian

 

[tchui]

Ian,
ive rebuilt my hondas showa shocks a few times, shim stacks shouldnt be an issue if you got a good stack drawing to follow, or is it more complex than that?
i dont have many options....
how much travel does the stock shock have? and lets compare that to the elkas et all?
our terrain is pretty rough with big whoops ready to launch you when you stop concentrating
as such your mod though possibly better than a stock ds set up wouldn't really satisfy me in the long run then would it?

how about the polaris fox units have you ever tried those?