New PEP rear vs OEM PEP conversion - suggestions, pros, cons.

[bnau267]

The price to convert and setup my OEM as a PEP is around $450.  My guess is another $350 to $400 gets me a brand new PEP rear.  Who's been down this road?  I have Axis for the most part, and they seem like a better priced suspension, but I'd like to run PEPs on the bike I'm currently building.  I'd have Baldwin do the PEP setup being that they're next door and Mark has a ton of R background.

Thanks, Bob

[zcarlson12]

I've been sending Baldwin my suspension for years and never have had a complaint. I run ZPS fronts and an Axis no-link rear on my Laeger which he just revalved and serviced, they are perfect.

[andy@maultechatv]

I'd keep the Axis.  They are better.  There's nothing wrong with the stock internals either if they are changing them.  You may just be buying new springs and a revalve.

[bnau267]

I'd keep the Axis.  They are better.  There's nothing wrong with the stock internals either if they are changing them.  You may just be buying new springs and a revalve.

Thanks Andy.  Not doubt I'm a fish out of water when it comes to suspension.  The problem with my Axis set is that I need to have mine converted from LT to standard to work with the Roll XC arms.  Plus I was wanting to go piggy back and PEP has a cool little kit to connect the bottle.

[andy@maultechatv]

We have the same mounts for Axis too!  I'm not a paying site sponsor and am not trying to do business on here.  Just wanted to help out and tell you it would be better to stick with the Axis.  To go to long travel on the Axis you will need new bodies which isn't that big of a deal for a shop to do.

[bnau267]

We have the same mounts for Axis too!  I'm not a paying site sponsor and am not trying to do business on here.  Just wanted to help out and tell you it would be better to stick with the Axis.  To go to long travel on the Axis you will need new bodies which isn't that big of a deal for a shop to do.

Thanks for your insight.  I appreciate it very much.

[Leftynanners]

Just out of curiosity, what advantages could somebody expect purchasing an aftermarket shock as opposed to doing a conversion on their stock shock?

[andy@maultechatv]

Just out of curiosity, what advantages could somebody expect purchasing an aftermarket shock as opposed to doing a conversion on their stock shock?

That's a really good question.  Actually some stock fronts have really good pistons in them.  But the downfalls to them are that the adjusters don't have much range and some don't do anything at all.  The other big factor with stock shock conversions is that they are limited to what extended and compressed lengths they can be changed to.

[big_R_bore]

I just had my 86 rear shock converted with pep internals from Baldwin motorsports, I can give feedback soon when I finish the build here in the next month, but I have never riden on a true pep rear shock so I cant compare the two.

[rablack21]

This might be another option as well. Maul Tech is now the exclusive dealer for GT Suspension components. If I didn't have an almost new set of Axis shocks, I would be buying a set of these from Andy.

[Tbone07]

I've been sending Baldwin my suspension for years and never have had a complaint. I run ZPS fronts and an Axis no-link rear on my Laeger which he just revalved and serviced, they are perfect.

Why do you prefer the Axis over the PEP, Andy?

[Burns363R]

Check ball system.

[rablack21]

Check ball system.

This ^^^^

[andy@maultechatv]

There is a reason PEP didn't run a check ball piston in the rear shock.  Because it won't work!