My 07 Rev3 shock has no damping so I sent it to my local shock repairman who has been rebuilding shocks since 1991. After he serviced it the shock now has damping but once compressed it won't return. He has called the top shock rebuilders in the US (Factory Connection, Works Performance), the US importer, the Paioli factory, etc. to compare notes or to get a manual. No luck. Unfortunately, Paioli is on summer vacation.

Does anyone know the contact information for someone who is familiar with rebuilding these shocks or where to get a manual???

Edited September 3, 200817 yr by Neta160

Fortunately, my shock repairman figured out the problem. There was a metal shaving wedged in an orifice up inside the shaft. He was able to pick it out with a piece of welding wire. In any event the shock is being returned tomorrow. Whew! Now I can go riding...

Edited September 3, 200817 yr by Neta160

Tell us who it is! Last I heard, the factory exchange units were still expensive, like $600 or more?

I believe Factory rebuilt shocks are in the $500 USD range and new ones are $1000 plus USD range, BUT you would need to check with your Beta dealer for accurate pricing. The cost of a Paioli shock is usually higher than those on other trials bikes because the Paoili shock is a more complicated design. It is more complicated because it is designed to provide "progressiveness" in the suspension. As you know, Beta's have no linkage components. The linkage components in other bikes provide the "progressiveness". THus, most other bikes have non-progressive, less costly, less complicated shocks. BUT, the linkage components in other bikes need to be serviced, repaired and replaced periodically, unlike a Beta.

About a year ago BETA was able to provide Paioli rebuild kits. I believe they are in the $60 USD range. They too are available from your Beta dealer. If you want to have your existing Paioli shock rebuilt, contact Ron Commo Sr in VT. He can refer you to the guy I used, Shawn Phelps, or another shop. Shawn runs a side business to rebuild shocks and has been doing so since 1991. He is a Beta rider as well. Assuming Shawn, or whomever you use, has time to service your shock, it is typically only a couple hours of work. Add to that shipping time to and from his shop, you might only be without a shock for a 3-4 days. The cost of servicing your existing shock is far less than replacing it. I would order a rebuild kit in advance.

The good news regarding the Paioli shock is that it is servicable. Most shocks on trials bikes are not designed to be maintained (nitrogen and oil changed, seals replaced, etc.). It is important to note that all shocks begin to wear as soon as you use them. THey need to be serviced periodically just like you service the fork oil. I change my fork oil every 3 months during spring, summer and fall. I don't change it in the winter. With all my bikes, I have only been able to get between 6 and 10 months out of a rear shock before it had to be serviced or replaced. I ride about 8-12 hours a week in the spring, summer and fall and around 3-4 in the snowy months. The problem with shocks is they degrade slowly and many riders don't noitice the change until it is too late. It is too late when the bike bounces off everything (no damping) and it is very twitchy when trying to balance. If you stand next to your bike and push down really hard on a peg with your foot to compress the suspension and it jumps off the group 2-4 inches I would say you need to slow down the damping. If you can't slow it down anymore or enough, perhaps it is time for servicing. When I sent my shock out for servicing last week, I had let it go too far. Of the 38 clicks on the shock adjuster screw, I was down to "two out from all the in". WHen my shock was dissabled there was no nitrogen left. I don't recall how much oil was left.

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With all my bikes, I have only been able to get between 6 and 10 months out of a rear shock before it had to be serviced or replaced. I ride about 8-12 hours a week in the spring, summer and fall and around 3-4 in the snowy months.

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And I thought that trials is a cheap sport.