[LunarFirefly]

Hey all.

Was out riding yesterday running errands and I'd made a couple stops where everything seemed fine. But as I was leaving, backing up my 2017 DL650 XT, I noticed an alarming amount of bounce to the rear suspension. Like the rebound was way, way loose and wasn't that smooth feeling you'd normally expect when dealing with settling in the suspension. The overall suspension feels okay I think? But walking backward (using one foot since I can't reach the ground on both sides), I would take a step back and feel MULTIPLE bounces in the backend which is super weird.

I got off the bike and tried bouncing it a bit but it was fairly inconclusive.

As I was riding through the parking lot, I bounced on top of the bike and it seemed okay? Riding didn't yield anything funky. But walking the bike while on it, forward or backward, and that bounciness was super evident. And it was absolutely not doing it before that stop.

I also wondered if its just with using the brake it might cause a bounce but I'm not sure? First time was walking it down a slight incline. Nothing intense. The other times I think were relatively flat.

Suspension was recently rebuilt by Sasquatch. Within the last few months. I haven't ridden my bike a ton due to other things so I can't imagine it's general wear. The chain, and sprockets do require replacing and I'll be doing that probably today or tomorrow. Do you think that could play into it? It also has Shinko 705s on it.

Really appreciate any suggestions. I'm a bit stumped with this one.
Thanks!

 

[stickerbush]

I think you may be feeling the chunky tread of the Shinko tires. If it feels OK when riding I wouldnt be concerned myself.

 

[LunarFirefly]

I think you may be feeling the chunky tread of the Shinko tires. If it feels OK when riding I wouldnt be concerned myself.

I've been riding on those tires since June. It seems odd that I'd start noticing the bounce suddenly, if it were simply the tires? It also started very suddenly.

Might not have been clear in the original but its only when I stopped that I felt the bouncing. And it's as I said, like the rebound is set way low. So it bounces a few times.

 

[GoodDl]

Tire pressure too low?

 

[Wee van Cleef]

Generally, bouncing is a symptom of a blown shock.

I had air-controlled shocks on a Jeep. The pump died when I was on the freeway, equivalent to no shocks. Ridiculous bouncing and very dangerous. The tires wouldn't stay on the ground. Wifey had a conniption fit. Frightening ordeal even at low speed.

 

[LunarFirefly]

Tire pressure too low?

Hum I'll check that today just to make sure. If it's something that simple, I'd be very relieved.

Generally, bouncing is a symptom of a blown shock.

I had air-controlled shocks on a Jeep. The pump died when I was on the freeway, equivalent to no shocks. Ridiculous bouncing and very dangerous. The tires wouldn't stay on the ground. Wifey had a conniption fit. Frightening ordeal even at low speed.

That sounds scary. Is there a way to check? It has a higher weight spring on the shock. Same oil grade as stock. And I just checked - it was in September/Oct. that I had it modified by Sasquatch. It hasn't been ridden much with the cold weather.

Is there any reason for it to suddenly blow? Would there be any signs like oil leaking or anything?

 

[Wee van Cleef]

Hum I'll check that today just to make sure. If it's something that simple, I'd be very relieved.



That sounds scary. Is there a way to check? It has a higher weight spring on the shock. Same oil grade as stock. And I just checked - it was in September/Oct. that I had it modified by Sasquatch. It hasn't been ridden much with the cold weather.

Is there any reason for it to suddenly blow? Would there be any signs like oil leaking or anything?

Is the Strom shock high pressure gas?
Yes look for leaking. If it was completely blown, you would surely know it when riding.

I thought about that experience I mentioned. The best I can describe it is jumping like a lowrider at 75 mph.

 

[richlandrick]

A bouncing rear end can be caused by insufficient rebound dampening, too stiff a spring, or too much preload on the spring.

If you did not set the sag after the rebuild do so. It may fix your problem and should be done anyway.

If you did set the sag, check the rebound dampening setting on the shock, and then call Sasquatch and tell him what you are experiencing and how your shock is set. He may have just not set the rebound before sending the shock and riders are expected to set their sag for their body and gear weight.

 

[Griff]

Blown rebound damping imho. Bring it back to the rebuild folks.

 

[LunarFirefly]

Is the Strom shock high pressure gas?
Yes look for leaking. If it was completely blown, you would surely know it when riding.

I thought about that experience I mentioned. The best I can describe it is jumping like a lowrider at 75 mph.

I believe someone said it had oil and nitrogen in it. The shock wasn't rebuildable until Sasquatch made it serviceable. Doesn't feel as bad as you're mentioning, but it doesn't feel like it should either.

A bouncing rear end can be caused by insufficient rebound dampening, too stiff a spring, or too much preload on the spring.

If you did not set the sag after the rebuild do so. It may fix your problem and should be done anyway.

If you did set the sag, check the rebound dampening setting on the shock, and then call Sasquatch and tell him what you are experiencing and how your shock is set. He may have just not set the rebound before sending the shock and riders are expected to set their sag for their body and gear weight.

That's interesting. I didn't know too stiff a spring, or too much preload could cause that. I did lower preload completely and reset it, and it was still doing the same thing. Very unlikely the spring is too stiff. This was custom built by Sasquatch according to my specifications.

The damper was adjusted upon arrival. That's actually one of the first things I checked when we reinstalled it. It hasn't had a measured sag test on it tbh. I went with what felt right when actively riding, and adjusted it where needed.

Blown rebound damping imho. Bring it back to the rebuild folks.

I'm guessing that isn't something I could repair myself, is it? Is there a way to test that?

 

[Wee van Cleef]

No you can't fix a gas pressurized shock yourself. Well you can, but it takes special expensive equipment.

If nothing easy fixes it and you end up pulling it out, compress it fully by hand. It should return to the fully extended position quickly and smoothly. If it stays where it is, it is blown. If it returns slowly, it's lost some pressure and is likely on it's way out.

Edit
duh I forgot to mention to remove the coil first

 

[PerazziMx14]

Does Samsquanch use a nitrogen needle bolts. It one easy way to make sealed shocks able to be recharged by drilling and tapping the nitrogen reservoir and threading in a nitrogen bolt. It is then filled with a needle setup. The downside is they can also leak.

Or if you have a reservoir shock the nitrogen bladder or Schrader could be leaky. If you have a high pencil gauge you can see if there is any pressure left in it. Downside is id it id sealed you will have bled off some PSI testing it.

 

[Sladep]

I believe someone said it had oil and nitrogen in it. The shock wasn't rebuildable until Sasquatch made it serviceable. Doesn't feel as bad as you're mentioning, but it doesn't feel like it should either.



That's interesting. I didn't know too stiff a spring, or too much preload could cause that. I did lower preload completely and reset it, and it was still doing the same thing. Very unlikely the spring is too stiff. This was custom built by Sasquatch according to my specifications.

The damper was adjusted upon arrival. That's actually one of the first things I checked when we reinstalled it. It hasn't had a measured sag test on it tbh. I went with what felt right when actively riding, and adjusted it where needed.



I'm guessing that isn't something I could repair myself, is it? Is there a way to test that?

Stiffer spring and low-to-no rebound damping and insufficient rider sag will make it bounce like you're experiencing.

 

[OydnaR]

Generally, bouncing is a symptom of a blown shock.

I had air-controlled shocks on a Jeep. The pump died when I was on the freeway, equivalent to no shocks. Ridiculous bouncing and very dangerous. The tires wouldn't stay on the ground. Wifey had a conniption fit. Frightening ordeal even at low speed.

I can relate, a lifetime ago, I had a Chevy Vega, shock mounts rotted right off the body and suddenly weakened enuf to tear away, on frost heaved northern New England roads

 

[Brockie]

But walking backward (using one foot since I can't reach the ground on both sides), I would take a step back and feel MULTIPLE bounces in the backend which is super weird.

I got off the bike and tried bouncing it a bit but it was fairly inconclusive.

As I was riding through the parking lot, I bounced on top of the bike and it seemed okay? Riding didn't yield anything funky. But walking the bike while on it, forward or backward, and that bounciness was super evident. And it was absolutely not doing it before that stop.

Just throwing in an alternative to the above suggestions.
With low recent use, could you have a frozen chain link or two?

 

[Griff]

I'm guessing that isn't something I could repair myself, is it? Is there a way to test that?

Not something You can repair Yourself. I recently had a shock where the damping was completely gone. As such it was topping out and even when I cranked the rebound damping adjuster up to its max it made no difference. That of course is one way of "testing".

Imho if the shock performance has changed significantly and noticeably without any input from You then it needs to be investigated professionally. I further believe that it might be unsafe to continue riding with it under such circumstances in case You lose any remaining damping on the road.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

If the nitrogen charge leaked out, your shock's rebound and compression will be badly affected. With the bike on its wheels (not side or center stand), bounce the rear suspension just a little (just an inch or so is enough) and observe the rebound action. If it seems like there is rapid uncontrolled rebound, then you likely have an issue with the Ni pressure charge. Don't ride the bike until you correct this problem.

The installation of the Ni refill port could be leaking- that can easily occur. I don't know which method Sasquatch is currently using. There are two likely methods used- a Schrader valve which is similar to a tire valve stem, or the sticky pellet type which requires an inflation needle. Sasquatch installed the pipe connection & Schrader valve in my 05 DL650's shock a dozen years ago, and it leaked. My shock leaked its Ni over the period of a month or so. I have my own shock recharge equipment, so I did the repair & recharge myself. I've done a lot of dirt bike and snowmobile shocks for my own machines.

If you have a nearby suspension service shop, they can inspect the refill port and make corrections, and then recharge the Nitrogen. Search for dirt bike suspension shops, snowmobile shock service, and possibly mountain bike shock service. Or, send it back to Sasquatch.

Good luck with it and hope this helps.

 

[Mulewright]

Sasquatch stands behind their products.
Time to make a call, bro...

 

[LunarFirefly]

Just throwing in an alternative to the above suggestions.
With low recent use, could you have a frozen chain link or two?

The chain does need replacing and I just got what I needed to do it today. It's getting a front and rear sprocket swap as well since they're looking a bit worn.

Not something You can repair Yourself. I recently had a shock where the damping was completely gone. As such it was topping out and even when I cranked the rebound damping adjuster up to its max it made no difference. That of course is one way of "testing".

Imho if the shock performance has changed significantly and noticeably without any input from You then it needs to be investigated professionally. I further believe that it might be unsafe to continue riding with it under such circumstances in case You lose any remaining damping on the road.

I did try some basic tests today. My friend held the bike upright and I bounced the rear of the bike to see how long it took to settle. With the damper completely off, and with the damper set to stock recommendations. It settled within a reasonable amount of time, with a noticeable difference in how it felt even just pushing down on the seat between no damper, and recommended settings. I got a bit rough with it to see if more rigorous motion would make a difference and it stopped bouncing after a couple. The stock setting for the damper is 1 1/2 turns from max (counterclockwise). I didn't check it with it maxed though. That completely closes it off doesn't it?

Would it help if I videoed what it was doing? I can put something up on youtube or my google drive.

If the nitrogen charge leaked out, your shock's rebound and compression will be badly affected. With the bike on its wheels (not side or center stand), bounce the rear suspension just a little (just an inch or so is enough) and observe the rebound action. If it seems like there is rapid uncontrolled rebound, then you likely have an issue with the Ni pressure charge. Don't ride the bike until you correct this problem.

The installation of the Ni refill port could be leaking- that can easily occur. I don't know which method Sasquatch is currently using. There are two likely methods used- a Schrader valve which is similar to a tire valve stem, or the sticky pellet type which requires an inflation needle. Sasquatch installed the pipe connection & Schrader valve in my 05 DL650's shock a dozen years ago, and it leaked. My shock leaked its Ni over the period of a month or so. I have my own shock recharge equipment, so I did the repair & recharge myself. I've done a lot of dirt bike and snowmobile shocks for my own machines.

If you have a nearby suspension service shop, they can inspect the refill port and make corrections, and then recharge the Nitrogen. Search for dirt bike suspension shops, snowmobile shock service, and possibly mountain bike shock service. Or, send it back to Sasquatch.

Good luck with it and hope this helps.

Thank you for the advice! I believe he installed a Schrader valve since it looks alike what you described coming off the top of the shock. It didn't do much at all when I pushed on it lightly. I forgot to turn the preload down which I'd guess might effect the results? And like I mentioned in response to @Griff , I can toss up a video of it so you guys can see it. You're all probably way more familiar with suspension and how it's supposed to act.

It definitely didn't seem uncontrolled. I'll try and toss up a video tomorrow for it.

Sasquatch stands behind their products.
Time to make a call, bro...

I did email Sasquatch last night, and he definitely stands behind his work. I just want to make sure if I send it, it's actually the shock and not something else.

Thank you everyone for your responses!

 

[Griff]

That completely closes it off doesn't it?

Not completely but almost.