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[Doug S]

I posted this elsewhere when I probably should have just made a new thread and not hijacked someone else's.

The rear shock absorber on my 2014 SR wore out fairly recently, for the THIRD time. The first two times, Zero replaced it under warranty, but this time the bike's out of warranty, and I didn't want that stock crap on my bike any more anyhow. So I called Harlan and he sourced the unit they use for their racebikes. It's pricey, but it's fully adjustable and I imagine much longer-lasting than the OEM crap: http://www.jrishocks.com/shop/powersports/double-adjustable/ It came set up too stiff but a full turn of the preload adjuster ring made for a very nice ride. It's still quite firm but I'm going to ride it that way for a while in case I'm just still used to the original (soggy) ride.

I do recommend at least discussing it with Harlan because he knows the spacer sizes required -- mine actually arrived with the wrong spacer and Harlan had a local machine shop fab me one at no charge.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Oops! That never made it through the edit queue somehow. I've made a table and ranked them by ease of fitment:
https://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#Rear_Shock

[rayivers]

Brian,

I just noticed I have specs for the 2014 FX shock, if you need them for the wiki:

Fast Ace BFA57RC (Zero p/n 22-06105-03)
319mm / 12.56" eye-eye
17.9mm / .705" eye width (top & bottom)
31.95mm / 1.258" bushing width (top & bottom)
Reservoir offset angle ('clocking angle'): 242° CW / 118° CCW from 12 o'clock
Reservoir offset width (shock centerline to far LH side of reservoir): @ 90mm / 3.60"
Spring: 475-585 lbs/in., 181mm / 7.125" length (on shock, no load, min. preload)

BTW... odedmaz (and surely others) successfully rebuilt this shock, which appears to be of decent quality like the FX Fast Ace forks.  Perhaps a simple oil change to Redline LikeWater oil (hi-temp full synthetic, designed for shocks too) might have the same transformative effect it had on my forks, at minimal cost.

Ray

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Sure, I might get to that in another few months...

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Okay, that's been inserted at least...

[josequinones]

Does the 2015+ Showa shock fit? Should the manual be updated to show if this is an option?

I have a 2014 SR that just got a new 14.4 battery pack under warranty (Thanks Zero!) so I would like to upgrade the suspension if possible since I will be keeping the bike for a while longer.

[Crissa]

I think there's more you'd have to change out than just the shock itself.

-Crissa

[Richard230]

My fading recollection is that the 2014 models used Fast Ace suspension components. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that the later Showa components, both the rear shock and the forks, will not fit the Zero chassis of that year. I believe that Zero used to sell a Fox rear shock as an upgrade for the 2013 and 2014 models, but those are long gone from Zero's (and Fox's) inventory. 

[Crissa]

If we figure out the upgrade path, I would definitely want to know; the Showa is far more standard, isn't it?

Eventually they will need to be replaced and I will want to know how

-Crissa

[josequinones]

Correct, the  2014 models used the Fast Ace components.

I think the issue is at the top mount there is not enough clearance from the controller heatsink cooling fins to allow the Showa shock to be installed, maybe installing it upside down would work?