Well, Lindemann engineering has been so incompetent rebuilding a fox shock that I sent them (for the third time in 5k miles), that I had to post it here. I've been waiting for this shock for about 2 months now, and it's been one thing after another. They told me it would be a 1-2 week turnaround before I sent it in. I called a few days after I sent the shock in, and they had received the shock, but accidentally thrown away my explanation of what the problem was, and my address and phone #. Two weeks later, when I call to see if it was done, it's "all taken apart, we should get the part in tomorrow, and send it off the next day". Same explanation the next week, and the next week. I finally get it back, after 5 weeks. Supposedly repaired, but it's missing the bolt and bushings for the top mount. Oh, at the same time I receive the shock, I also got a box with another shock, mistakenly sent to me by Lindemann. I sent it along to the rightful owner. I rode the hour down to his shop, to try to get the bushings to mount up the shock- He promised to find mine or make some on site. When I get there, after searching for 15 minutes, he says he'll have to order some up and get them sent to me. He gets out some calipers, takes his measurements, and sends me off. I got the bushings this morning- they were made for an 8mm bolt, but the shock mounts with a 10mm. I drilled and ground them out, because I didn't want to deal with him again. An hour later, I think I'm almost ready to get my bike all back together. Then I discover that he swapped the original flush mounted pressure valve with a large schrader valve- it simply won't fit on the bike. I'm about ready to throw the shock through a window, and buy an ohlins. Like I said in the first paragraph, this is the third time the shock has been rebuilt in 5k miles- first two times he replaced the seal, this time he replaced the "seal head" which he said was damaged, and was presumably damaged the last two times he rebuilt it. Arrggghhh.
I also use Fox shocks. Here is an email I got on January 25th of this year: >Justin Frey <Jfrey@foxracingshox.com> wrote: >We can still service/rebuild your TC or TC/R shock. It will cost about $160 >before return shipping and take about two weeks. You will need to call and >get a return authorization number for the service before sending the shock. >800-369-7469 (fox-shox) > >Thanks >Justin Frey >After-Market Sales Associate
Thanks Jdiaz. I'm really hoping that I can get this schrader valve thing put back the way it was, and ride this shock some. I don't have much confidence in the rebuild at this point though- I'll consider sending it off to Fox, or finding someone better locally.
Thanks Calikatoom. I just saw this post this evening, and by chance I talked to Phil early this afternoon. I'll probably ride out to Livermore tomorrow afternoon, and hopefully he'll be able to set my shock straight. BTW, Phil/Aftershocks is now part of Tri-Valley Moto, the new BMW/KTM/Triumph dealership in Livermore.
Big thumbs up on Phil Douglas. Quality work, fair prices, and he really knows his business. Not only fixed my shock, but also talked with me about what he would recommend if it blew another seal.
Sounds like things did not go well, sorry to hear that. As for the valve swap, I'm surprised they did not tell you that up front. They let me know first thing about that change, it is so they can re-pressurize the shock. They even checked to make sure there was room for it on my bike. As for after shocks being better, I'm not so sure. Both shops are full of nice people and both shops are rather laid back and getting things back from either shop can take a bit of time, I have had shocks rebuilt at both shops. As a matter of fact, After Shocks latest location move had them not answering phones and emails for so long I gave up getting a new shock from them. Good luck.
I actually wouldn't have had a big problem with the time frame if the work had been acceptable. I don't think it's acceptable to wind up with the kind of service I got though- slow, poor communication, and a shock that I still don't trust. I've heard great things about Jim and LE, but at this point, I must disagree. The previous times that the fox shock had been rebuilt, the original valve worked fine. I understand that those valves wear out eventually, but I think tapping the 1/4" NPT hole in there for the schrader valve made it a pain to get back to a low profile valve. LE never asked. Seems like the service department of Tri Valley is handling the scheduling and administrative tasks for Aftershocks. Hopefully that will keep things in order.
I made the mistake of letting Lindermann service a pair of Ohlins back in early 1998. Long story short I had to send the shocks to Petterssen in SoCal a week later to get them done correctly.
Lindemann did great work, when it was just Jim, but he got so popular that he had to hire help. Unfortunately, he hired a bunch of crackheads and now has a reputation for screwing everything up. My Ducati, had 2 different length fork spring spacers in it and neither were the right diameter for the tube, so they had tilted on their side. which then permanently scored the inside of the tube and bent the springs! I've heard from many people the good experiences with Aftershocks and SuperPlush!
Ed Sorbo here, as of February 2011 I have been the owner of Lindemann Engineering. Jim is consulting for me. LE is now located in Redlands, CA co-located with EDventure Racing. Im sorry you had problems with Lindemann Engineering. As Low594 pointed Jim made some poor choices when hiring. I have solved this problem by doing all work myself. I started working with Jim in 98, spent two weeks training at his shop in February and Jim came to my shop for another week of training after I got set up. I have all his set up notes and can call him with questions. As I am a street bike expert and only play on dirt bikes, LE only does street bike work now. Please check out my new web site for more info. le-suspension.com Again, I apologize for past problems at LE. I think I have solved these problems while retaining the qualities that made LE famous. Thank you, Ed Sorbo
Good luck Ed! I remember you when you were racing in Hawai'i. (Sportbike Hawaii?) Keep up the good work. doc
This is an old thread but I figured there are enough newbies like me that are still searching on leaking shocks! Back shock leaking - contacted Ed Sorbo at Lindemann who converted the "non-servicable" shock, serviced it, and provided a stiffer spring. I had an excellent experience. He listened to my situation Spend considerable time educating me on suspensions Asked considerable questions on weight/riding style Was upfront and clear on $$$ Set clear expectations on the turn around time. Communicated when he recd. the shock, when he was done fixing it, and when he shipped it. I got the rebuilt shock back, and am VERY happy with the improved handling. Will