Center shock for SKID on 1994 VMAX 500, where can I find one?

B

brmurph

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Dec 29, 2016
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Austin, TX
I have a 1994 VMAX 500 and can't seem to find a replacement shock for the center/front on the SKID, found the rear one no problem. Looking for after market as new is not available and if it was I assume would be way too expensive.

I did find this link http://www.vintagevmax.com/vvforum3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1529 that references the shocks but can't make heads or tails out of it, cut and paste from link above is posted below. Anyone know?

- Rear Suspension Shocks
Search all the following sleds had the original Pro-Action Rear Suspension.
1983 to 1991 SRV 540
1983 to 1991 Vmax 540
1991 to 1993 Exciter
1992 to 1997 Vmax 750/800 with the exception of the 97 XT models
1994-1996 Vmax 5/600 with the exception of the 96 XT models
KAYABA INDUSTRY CO. LTD
Front of Rear suspension middle shock ~ 119/16" or 295m.m. C.C.
Rear ~ 14.5" or 366m.m. C.C.
1992Vmax4 Rear KYB 13D P# 8AX-47480-00 Infinate Preload
?Year Vmax540 Front/Middle KYB H22 P# 8V9-47481-00 Infinate Preload
?Year Vmax540 Rear KYB 2610 P# 8U7-47480-00 5 Position Preload
1985 Vmax540 Front/Middle KYB WF8 P# 8V9-47481-00 Infinate Preload
Kimpex Pro Gold Rear P# 04-284 Infinate Preload
 
Al's has one Item #: AL269930

Part number you are looking for is 8AB-47481-00-00

Personally I would get a rebuildable shock with the right dimensions and just spring/valve it accordingly.
 
Also some on Ebay - now that I did one search for it it pops up in all my feeds LOL

Any Vmax 500 or 600 from 1994 - 1996 used that shock.
 
Yeah I saw the used ones on ebay and Al's but not sure it would be better then what I have (how to tell without having shock in hand?). I also found new ones at ebay and Al's, cheapest was almost $300.00. I just bought this sled for too much money and have now put another grand into it and I still don't know if it will run once I get it in the snow (in Austin Texas right now), if it does I will probably put a new m10 in it but until then looking for a new $100.00 aftermarket shock. Do they exist?
Thanks again
 
Ouch for 1200 to 1500 you could have gotten a newer sled. You could check with Daycore (I think that is the spelling) to see what it would cost to build you one. Or simply find another one that fits and then deal with springs and valving.
 
Ding said:
Ouch for 1200 to 1500 you could have gotten a newer sled.
Click to expand...

I know. Living in Austin Texas you don't have a lot to pick from so I got one of EBAY that had an easy way to ship it to Texas. Sled was not as described and needed alot of work. On the plus side I haven't worked on a snowmobile in 30 years and I am having a blast working on this one :-)..

Just left a message with Deycore, sounds like a good idea but have to assume it is not going to be inexpensive either.

Thanks.
 
Be careful - it starts innocently as just a little part-time hobby - then before you know you are spending hours a week in the garage modding things :-)
 
Ha. I have the hours a week in the garage down :-). To be honest everything I have worked on so far has been pretty easy until I got to the skid, everything seems to be so rusted up nothing is easy.
 
You could likely find a ProAction for a $100 - $200 bucks. Or you could upgrade to a much better riding skid like the Mono for $400 - $500. The problem is that you will have to do something with the front end to keep it balanced.
 
I have thought about that and if I wasn't in Austin Texas that is probably what I would do. I have been searching ebay for a used skid and haven't had much luck (I may just not be good at searching as I have heard they are around).. We have a cabin in Northern MN that I will be going to in two weeks along with a bunch of old high school buddies (also from MN) so time is running short. I found out fast who makes the M10 suspensions is only about 45 minutes from our cabin, if this vmax runs OK I might just take it to them and have them install the M10. I don't mind spending more money then its worth as long as I have something that will run and is somewhat reliable but right now I am not sure that is what I have.
 
Ding said:
You could check with Daycore (I think that is the spelling) to see what it would cost to build you one.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, I gave them a call and they can build me a rebuildable shock for $225.00 . Still more then I want to spend right now but defiantly a great price and better then spending $270.00 for NOS throw away.
 
I just wanted to report back that the link I posted above does list a replacement shock that will work in my 1994 vmax 500 (supposedly it will work in all vmax's of that vintage including vmax4). I found a dealer in Wisconsin that knew exactly what I was looking for and sent me the shock for about $120.00. The shock looks nothing like the original, adjust a little differently and you might have to grind (according to this dealer) the rear pointing shock mount on the skid just a little to make room for the bigger collar on this shock but not even sure you have to do that (although I did, super easy to do, once you mount the shock bolt and move the shock a little you will see what I am talking about). The generic part number is 8203, the brand I went with was RYDE FX part number 738203, here is a link to a pic that shows the difference between OEM and the replacement shock http://www.vintagevmax.com/vvforum3/download/file.php?id=141&mode=view . It cost me $80.00 at a motorcycle shop (Austin Texas no snowmobile dealers :-) to get the springs mounted on the new shocks for the front and back.

I was going to use the old shock but glad I didn't as once the spring was removed there was no resistance at all and dust/dirt would come out each time I collapsed it :-).. I now have this sled in shape just in time for the rain and 50 degree heat in northern MN in February no less :-(... Oh well I'll haul the sled up there and then launch the boat. LOL
 
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