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300EX rear shock
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Posted by: Trevor

I am looking for a fairley cheap upgrade for the rear shock of my 300ex. I have been trying to find a 01 raptor shock but i cant find one. Is this mod recomended dose it work well. What other rear shock would bolt right up to the 300ex that would be better than the stocker. I notice that it bottoms out on me some times. I have a 2002 300EX. Would the 400ex shock work.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Yes, the 01 Raptor shock is a very nice upgrade. The only other shock that will work is the 350X shock but you must also swap the swingarm and link to make it work. A 400ex shock will not fit.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

quote:
Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
Yes, the 01 Raptor shock is a very nice upgrade. The only other shock that will work is the 350X shock but you must also swap the swingarm and link to make it work. A 400ex shock will not fit.

Why an 01 Raptor vs. an 03 or other years. Is the linkage needed? I assume that this would work on the 250x as well. Other than locating parts how hard is the 350x swap? Is it a bolt in? Can I/we just unbolt the swing arm and slide the 350x pieces in? Can we just bolt in the shock and link to the 250/300 swing arm?

Thanks

Nate

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Yes, it will also work on the 250X
The swap is very easy and is a bolt on. A couple washers on each side of the swingarm at the pivot takes up the small amount of gap.
No, it will not work on the 250X/300EX swingarm.

Posted by: bradley300

i'm pretty sure you need to weld a smal mount on the back of the frame to use the 350x link.

the raptor shock will work on both the 300ex and 250x. one thing- i blew up the bladder inside the rezz. after some research i found the 300ex has a longer stroke than a raptor, which could have caused the raptor shock to blow the bladder

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

You don't need to weld anything! I did this swap in the 90's on several quads and never once did I have to weld anything.
Its common for Yamaha shock bladders to blow, it didn't have anything todo with stroke.

Posted by: bradley300

quote:
Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
You don't need to weld anything! I did this swap in the 90's on several quads and never once did I have to weld anything.
Its common for Yamaha shock bladders to blow, it didn't have anything todo with stroke.

i thought there was a mounting tab on the back of the frame you had to weld on for the linkage, geuss i was wrong

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Its not linkage, its a link that allows for a longer shock.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

Man its a good thing I read this post. I was gonna bid (ebay) on a 350x shock and slap it in there and then go pound on the 250. I guess it would be a waste with out all the other stuff. I figured the the overall length was the same and the travel was the same and the bolt holes were the same it would have been a done deal. The 350x shock looks a little beefier and I do bottom out the 250 once in a while. I guess I should lose some weight. oh well.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Bottoming out is not a bad thing. On an MX track for instance, you should be bottoming out 1 time per lap on the biggest jump or g-out. If your not bottoming ever so often then your shock is too stiff.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

So Jeff can you tell me if a stock shock (can be any manufacturer) will bolt into the 250/300 rear and be a little stiffer? I don't care if is from a Ford escort

or an 05 Blaster any other for that matter. I have a 91 250 so even if a 300 shock is a little stronger that would be good to know.

Thanks

Nate

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

The only ones that will work are the two I mentioned.

Posted by: Trevor

Thanks for the info. I guess I still have to keep looking for a 01 raptor shock than!

Posted by: Trevor

is it only the 01 raptor or dose the 00 or 02 have remote reses as well?

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

quote:
Originally posted by Trevor
Thanks for the info. I guess I still have to keep looking for a 01 raptor shock than!

If you do buy 2 I'll take one and let you know how it works.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Only the 01 with the remote rezzie will work. All other years have piggyback rezzies and will not fit.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

Sorry for being a pain but why won't a Yamaha WARRIOR stock shock with remote reservoir work? If it is because no one has tried it I'm crazy enough to slap one on. But if it is because some parts simple will not fit then I keep looking.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

It will not fit.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

Ok thanks.

Posted by: Sjorge300EX

if you have a 300ex it has adjustable shocks all the way around just tighten them... on my ex, the rearshock adjustment is all the way in the top instead of the botton, tighten that and that will help alot

Posted by: Trevor

which is the stiffest setting the big notch or the small notch?

Posted by: bradley300

the lowest notch to the ground, it will raise the quad and stiffen the shock

Posted by: FoxRacing81

quote:
Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
It will not fit.

Jeff, you definatly know your suspension, but as far as the warrior shock, are you positive it won't fit? Because I know when I blew out the rear shock on my warrior, an alternative was an 01 raptor rear shock that would fit perfect. Call me crazy, but wouldn't that mean the warrior shock could fit the 300?
Not to be a dick, but if most of the time you say swapping shocks is a bad idea, why is it good in this case? Not trying to challenge your knowledge, I am just simply trying to learn about why this would work good even tho it is not valved for and made for a 300.

Thanks
-Justin

Posted by: Trevor

how hard is it to swap the raptor shock it is just a bolt on right and where do you mount the rese. Do all 01 raptor rear shocks have the same length hose for the rese. can some one post pics on one installed on a 300ex. How long should the rese hose be?

Posted by: bradley300

the hose isnt very long, and it bolts right up. theres really only one place for the rez and you'll see it when you put it on

Posted by: Trevor

cool thanks!

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

quote:
Originally posted by MX610EX
Jeff, you definatly know your suspension, but as far as the warrior shock, are you positive it won't fit? Because I know when I blew out the rear shock on my warrior, an alternative was an 01 raptor rear shock that would fit perfect. Call me crazy, but wouldn't that mean the warrior shock could fit the 300?
Not to be a dick, but if most of the time you say swapping shocks is a bad idea, why is it good in this case? Not trying to challenge your knowledge, I am just simply trying to learn about why this would work good even tho it is not valved for and made for a 300.

Thanks
-Justin

The Raptor and Warrior shock are totally different and will not swap.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

I'm with you MX610EX. I know Jeff has a ton of experience and I’m sure that engineer’s from all the manufacturers can tell me about rebound rates and travel and angles but if a shock is the same length in its relaxed state and has the same or greater travel and the bolt holes are the same size and the width of the mounting tabs are the same why would it not work? I’m not trying to change the angle that the shock moves or anything. The rear would still pivot and swing the way they originally designed it.

Posted by: 300exOH

Why must everyone doubt the experts? The swingarms on the 2 quads are not going to move in the same arc which means the 2 shocks are going to require totally different valving. Also the 2 quads don't weigh the same. I don't think Jeff would steer you wrong. If he says it won't work I would trust him. It could save you from getting hurt.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

Whoa, Hey I'm not trying to discredit Jeff in anyway. I was simply interested in what my alternatives were for the 250/300's out there. I got an instant "here's your best answer" from Jeff. I read this post and wondered why? that's all. I am still not sure what about the 01 raptor shock makes it better than any other stocker/ factory shock (besides the original). I know he also mentioned the 350x conversion but that sounds messy and locating parts could be really hard. I'm just some Dumb Butt trying to look at what all my options are. See I have this thing called debt that makes me have to look at all the options not the expensive ones. Heck I won't even think about changing my shock out until I find the one in there now isn't working anymore. I'll be looking of course and in that time I may find the raptor shock at the right price, but all I have to go on right now is what I can see. "If it looks like it will fit why would it be a bad choice" Thats all I really have as far as a though process.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Those 2 are simply the only ones that will fit and work correctly.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

quote:
Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
Those 2 are simply the only ones that will fit and work correctly.

Thanks for hearing me out and putting up with all the idoits running around backwards.

Nate

Posted by: 300exOH

quote:
Originally posted by 250xTrailRider
Whoa, Hey I'm not trying to discredit Jeff in anyway. I was simply interested in what my alternatives were for the 250/300's out there. I got an instant "here's your best answer" from Jeff. I read this post and wondered why? that's all. I am still not sure what about the 01 raptor shock makes it better than any other stocker/ factory shock (besides the original). I know he also mentioned the 350x conversion but that sounds messy and locating parts could be really hard. I'm just some Dumb Butt trying to look at what all my options are. See I have this thing called debt that makes me have to look at all the options not the expensive ones. Heck I won't even think about changing my shock out until I find the one in there now isn't working anymore. I'll be looking of course and in that time I may find the raptor shock at the right price, but all I have to go on right now is what I can see. "If it looks like it will fit why would it be a bad choice" Thats all I really have as far as a though process.

Actually I think it's easier to find 350x parts than it is to find the 01 raptor shock. From all I've read the 350x rear swap is very easy to do. I understand your want for a cheap fix. I tried to go that route on the front end myself and found it just wasn't going to work well.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

Right but with the 350X shock everything from the rear end should go on so a 350X shock = brake caliper, caliper mounting, rear shock, axle, and axle carrier this way everything bolts up CORRECTLY. That sounds like a lot. I am only looking to unbolt the shock and put it back in. Maybe I should wait until this winter and just tear it all apart and redo it. New bearings. etc.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

You only need the shock, swingarm and link.

Posted by: 250xTrailRider

Ok, so for the "Link" I went to Service Honda http://www.servicehonda.com/ and found Part Number 52105-HA5-000 that bolts to the swing arm and then bolts to the shock. Is this the "Link"? And my 250x bearing carrier, axle, brakes (Brake Stay,caliper, rotor) will all fit. I only need to add a spacer between the frame and pivot point? Keep in mind I'll an idiot.

Posted by: VT250X

quote:
Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
You only need the shock, swingarm and link.

You also need the rear brake stay and rear cailper from the 350X. Unless you don't mind have some stuff welded. Also top shock bushing from the 350X has a smaller inside diameter so it will have to be milled out so the 250X/300EX bolt will fit through it. Simply removing the bushing will make the hole too big and it will flop around. Another thing to consider is the rear sprocket on the 350X. I searched and searched and all I could come up with was a 40 tooth. Sidewinder Sprockets makes different ones, but they are expensive. I got all of this stuff together and started the install and when I got to the brake stay problem I canned the whole idea. If I want a longer swingarm and better shocks then I am getting those that are made for my quad. Oh and one more thing I forgott to mention. If you plan on using your skidplate from your 250X/300EX you had better plan on drilling new holes to mout it.

LM

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

The 350X brake parts bolted right on to the ones I converted. I also never had the upper bushing problem that VT250X did. The stock bolt worked perfectly.

Posted by: VT250X

Yes the 350X brake parts do fit, but if you want to use the stock 250X/300EX brake and stay they won't work. That was the problem I ran into. jeff you said that the top bushing fit with no problem when you did it. I wonder if there is a difference either with the shocks from the 85 and 86 350X OR the upper mount on the 250X versus the 300EX. The stock upper shock bolt was too big for the bushing in the 350X shock. If I would have used the 350X upper shock bolt it would have been to small for the upper mount on my 250X. Even if I would have really tightened it I was affraid that it would have moved around anyway. To me this didn't seem like a good idea. From my experience I put together a list of parts that would be needed based on what parts are used from both machines. Here it is. If there is anything that needs correction please let me know.

Using 350X swingarm and axle with stock 250X/300EX bearing carrier
-350X swingarm
-350X rear shock – (upper shock bushing will have to be drilled out to fit 250X/300EX shock bolt..maybe?)
-350X axle
-350X drive sprockets
-350X/250R rear hubs
-250X/300EX stock bearing carrier
-350X brake stay
-350X rear caliper
-350X rear brake rotor

Using 350X swingarm with stock 250X/300EX axle
-350X swingarm
-350X rear shock – (upper shock bushing will have to be drilled out to fit 250X/300EX shock bolt)
-250X/300EX axle
-250X/300EX drive sprockets
-250X/300EX rear hubs
-250X/300EX stock bearing carrier
-350X brake stay
-350X rear caliper
-250X/300EX rear brake rotor

Using stock 250X/300EX swingarm with 350X axle
-250X/300EX swingarm
-250X/300EX rear shock
-350X axle
-350X drive sprockets
-350X/250R rear hubs
-250X/300EX stock bearing carrier
-250X/300EX brake stay
-250X/300EX rear caliper
-350X rear brake rotor