Currently available shock absorbers?

[Laverda Dave]

Whilst at Kempton Park last weekend I went to see the guy who used to sell the TEC shocks for the 400/4’s. He's got one pair left, after that there will be no more as TEC are no longer importing them. I've posted his details on here a couple of times before.
He said the pair he has fit several smaller SOHC's so I'm not sure of the length but from memory I think they are 5mm shorter than stock. They are the exposed chrome spring type, not shrouded.

[Mikep328]

"The fork at the bottom of those Honda rear shockers should be offset to allow the body to clear the chain guard.
Should be no need to butcher the chain guard."

I totally agree that they SHOULD be offset to clear the chainguard but they are not.  I suspect that whoever developed them never actually tried mounting them on a stock CB400F - they just built to spec based on length and the diameter of the upper and lower fittings.  They didn't consider the diameter of the lower section of the shock/spring in relation to the chainguard.  They cannot, under any circumstances be fitted to a 1976 400F with an unmodified stock chainguard.  I ASSUME the chainguard/associated clearances are the same for all 75-79 400Fs but I don't know that.

I find myself in a bit of a quandary - they are definitely a better shock for a person of my weight than the DSS shock but unlike their ad, they will NOT fit a CB400F without modifying the chain guard.  TBH, the DSS shocks would probably work OK for me with a softer spring but I don't see that as being available.  I would rather have the LOOK of the DSS shocks with the function of these Tecs.  Oh well...

[Skoti]

Aye Mike,

Your dilemma is understandable, I first wasted cash on unsuitable shockers from DS.

Few folk want to pay for them, but Ikon will fit your new shocks with springs to suit you at no extra cost.

 

"Here’s the Ikon difference:

When you order your new Ikons from us, we ask your suited-up weight and that of your passenger.   
Suitably rated springs are then fitted to your new Ikons from our vast spring selection.
This provides you with a far superior ride quality.
 
No additional charge and all part of our bespoke service. Don’t settle for someone telling you “The spring rate will be fine” just to make a sale".

https://ikonsuspensionusa.com/

CB400F
https://ikonsuspensionusa.com/product/ikon-dial-a-ride-7610-1302/

[Mikep328]

The Ikons are tempting.  Expensive but I've probably wasted as much money as they cost fooling around with other items that made no real difference to anything! 

[flatfour]

Last week, my riding friend (who has down sized to an XBR 500 from a CB750 due to his damaged hip) thought that he would replace the rear shock absorbers, as the right side was reported leaking at last MOT. As we were out at a bike meeting and discussing the problem, he decided to call DS there and then and enquire about replacements. It appears that they are no longer available, however a pair of NOS items could be found at £486.30 per side!

With a bike worth around £2,000 at best, he found some that were removed, cleaned and tested at a local breakers and they do seem quite good for the £152.50 that he paid for the pair. They are the remote reservoir type and not many companies seem to offer replacements.

[Bryanj]

Hagon are supposed to make anything to order

[Mikep328]

Well, my wife and I were out for a good ride yesterday - her on her Honda NC750x and me on the 400.  I've definitely decided to keep the Tec gas shocks/modded chainguard.  The shocks work really well for me.  The only reason to replace them would be to keep the stock look but if/when that ever becomes important I'll put the original chainguard/DSS original-appearance shocks back on.  Heck, no one but another CB400F owner would look at the bike and know that the shocks/chainguard were not original.

Although not directly related to this thread, I again found this little CB to be the most fun bike I have ever owned for the kind of secondary (and tertiary) road riding we enjoy.  I've been riding for MANY years and have owned mostly sport-oriented bikes from 350 to 1250CCs and this 400 is the smallest capacity/HP motorcycle I have owned since I was in my early 20's!  I've reversed my young self's opinion that there was no such thing as a car or motorcycle with too much power.  I guess that's a function of age/experience/wisdom(?) but I do occasionally wonder if my 400 will do the ton...or at least INDICATE that it can.

[Laverda Dave]

Bike magazine tested one at 104mph back in the day.........It was probably a yellow one .
As I got older I began to realise going fast on a lower powered bike is actually better and more rewarding than going fast on a powerful bike.

[Mikep328]

"As I got older I began to realise going fast on a lower powered bike is actually better and more rewarding than going fast on a powerful bike."

I totally agree!!!  Last year I rode a friend's Ducati V4 Panagali.  If I was still a track rider and I was ON a track, I would have loved it. Wick the throttle to the stop and it is basically into the next county in a couple of seconds, road and traffic permitting.  I can't see ANY use for it (FOR ME) on the road but he's selling it...because the latest one has 225HP and his only has 207!  He's the same age as me so age alone doesn't automatically eliminate the "need for speed."