K11 Owners Group

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:46 am Post subject: REALM engineering shock

Installed these the past weekend. 1993 K1100RS at 31,500 miles. $395.00 shipped to my door from Europe. $90.00 for shipping alone! OUCH!!
Got the info about it from " Beechcomber" who is on the site from time to time. Adjustable damper, set to 4 clicks to start. Shock compression set to 15 MM, ride height about same as stocker. Shock made be " REALM " engineering.
The ride is firm but oh so controlled! Rippled pavement moves the bike chassis, but the tire feels GLUED to the road and it stays on line. The roads are beat to heck in SE WI. and I've been rideing some rough, REALLY rough stuff. I've had to stand on the pegs on some stretches as it felt like I was off roading though a corn field. Again, bike stays on line like it's glued to the pavement. No upsetting or clearing the road like I was on a moto cross jump. These are rough roads that I have to slow down on in my Jeep Grand Cherokee!
Huge improvement over stock, looks good, solid machined from alloy HIGH quaility shock, rides beautifully. Perfect for me.

They actually make specialty car items. If the KOG group got together and got an order up for more shocks, could save a lot on the shipping.

Pics, I hope I did it right. Sorry I'm such a putz at this Drake!

[/img]

_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

owrstrich · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:59 am Post subject:

that is a good looking shock...

where is the clicker and how do you do it... by hand or with a tool...

j o
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yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:08 am Post subject: shock adjustment

Hey there Owstritch!

The clicker is that wee black knob on the back of the shock for dampening. Turn by hand, 16 clicks I thihnk I counted, I'm set now at 4.
Spring adjustment is by the collar, big spanner wrench.
Shock comes supplied apart, but is easy to put together as the shock body threads the spring & carrier ride on go all the way down, so no spring compressor needed. Just a strong arm and something smooth to put through the lower shock eye.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:44 pm Post subject:

NICE shock. Would be interested if others are.

Really like the length of spring adjustment.

(yeah, I should have bought something different by now- several members here have made suggestions but that thing LOOKS great)

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

joeangi · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

Call me crazy...but isn't that shock on upside down?

I have heard of upside down forks, but....

Joe

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject:

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject: Shock right side up?

Shock body is down, seal up.
I think it's correct, works AWESOME!!!
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

joeangi · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

Looks really nice....The bike is immaculate as well.

Nicely Done!

Joe

Stoked Steve · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

joeangi · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:

The perfectionist would say that, you have increased the sprung weight by placing the reservoir down, and thus have slowed the suspensions' response time, and gotten harsher ride.

In reality, with a pressurized reservoir I do not think it matters. As far as sprung and un-sprung weight....I don't know if you could really tell the difference.

Joe

endoman100 · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

well it's still a sweet shock thanks for the pic.
_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS

joeangi · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

MUCH nicer than my Koni!

Off the grid · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

Wow BFD, ABS 1 and new shock!

/touches self
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject: upside down

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Now I see, nope, the shock is not repeat not pressurized. It comes un assembled and you can move the piston by hand in and out.

For grins though, I may try it flipped around as the sprung weight idea may have merit.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

Jim · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

The Realm Engineering sticker is right side up (isn't it?) - or did you have to put that on, too? The spring is on upside down, however.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:18 pm Post subject:

Beachcomber · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:02 am Post subject:

Hi Jim.

I'm glad the shock arrived OK and you finally got it fitted and can evaluate it first hand.

Without boring folk with the story of how this shock came to pass [ check previous threads ], I was the instigator / prime tester and I have now put 8500 on mine [ stock length ], whilst my K100RS with a 25mm shorter than stock version [ forks lowered accordingly ] has done 6000. My friend has 9,000 on his RT. All bikes working flawlessly with vastly improved ride.

My initial brief was for a quality, lightweight. fully adjustable shock that didn't require a second mortgage to buy it - I think RAM hit the spot.

A couple of points - the shock is inexpensive - not cheap! it is built by a company with years of specialty shock experience and supply race car shox amongst others. As their core business is cars, their prices are car orientated and not bike orientated - if you get my drift.

The adjuster is indeed the black knob and can be adjusted even with gloves on!

It IS the right way up and any additional sprung weight penalty [ minute ] is partially negated by the fact that it 's light alloy.

The shock is completely self contained and requires no more than fit / adjust / ride! All new shox come with a modified C Spanner that has the gearbox oil level marked on it. Thanx for the headsup on that one Jim.

The shock is fully rebuildable.

I have passed your comments on to the manufacturer who has asked me to pass his thanx on to all of you who responded to the initial request for info [ especially Mason - thanx buddy ] and of course to JIM, who took a flyer with a new product. The first of many in the USA I think.

Don't forget there is a club discount and all the usual card facilities to ease payment. BTW - I "negotiated " the club d/c in return for all the data imput from club members.

more info. on www.realmengineering.com.

As Jim has stated the carriage is horrendous on a single unit from the UK - but even with that, it's still an inexpensive, quality item and I think compares well with others available in the USA? Jim has volunteered to be the point of contact for any "bulk" orders.

I'm a k11og member and a regular visitor to the site, so if I can be of any assistance - fire away.

BTW Jim. your pix are much better than mine!

ATB

Beachcomber
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Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: shock

Sticker was on the shock.
Like Beachcomber says, it's INEXPENSIVE " not cheap.

It's a friggin good deal and is beautifully machined. Works even better than it looks. If you need a new shock you owe it to yoruself to try this out. Sorry, yes, shamless plug & NO I am NOT getting kick backs.

There was a stamping in yellow " 300 " on the spring which I put on the same way as the ram sticker was positioned. It comes disassembled so of course I applied 2 coats of quality automotive wax to to all parts prior to assembly, including the spring. Then I mounted the spring to the shock with that "300 " up.

Spring could be upside down, seems to work fine. Since the last post by BC, I'm leaving it on with the resevoire down.

I'll see if they respond about the spring though and can flip it over if advised to do that. It's very easy to work on.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

Beachcomber · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:57 am Post subject:

Hi Jim,

your logic is perfect! Up is up. Your shock is installed perfectly. Wink

RAM have taken to imprinting the springs for identity and also to ease installation.

BTW - over 50 units now out there in the marketplace - you'll always be the first customer for the USA Jim, pity they're not sequentially numbered!

I am still tickled with mine everytime I go out and needless to say it's drawing a lot of attention. Laughing

FYI - I've played around with the dampening setting and come back to #3. However, I suspect the roads around here are not as bad as your local "tracks" you have described. Cool

I have a pal who is a bit of a track day warrior and he has given the bike and shock a serious work out on a closed race track.

He was mightily impressed with the shock although I had my heart [ and wallet ] in my mouth watching him get it sideways [ as in drifting! ] on a couple of bends. Twisted Evil

He's a confirmed Rice Rocket pilot, but nevertheless was extremely surprised [ pleasantly ] with the perfromance of the Kay round the track.

He will be the one giving my Race Rep the treatment when it's completed to check it out. Rolling Eyes

BTW - we've had a rethink and I've just ordered an 08/09 Yamaha R6 track day fairing to modify / fit to the Kay. Has the modern look of the S1000RR fairing?

Jim I'd welcome your ongoing observations with the shock - I'll feedback to RAM.
Wink

Safe riding

TJ
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Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

Jim · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

OK - just kidding about the spring - I noticed the "RAM" on the spring is upside down. I can see the RAM sticker on the shock is right side up...
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."