SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
Currently available shock absorbers?
Mikep328:
The gas shocks I bought were from Tec "for the 75-79 Cb400F" They work great compared to the DSS shocks, whose springs are too stiff for my weight even at the softest setting. The Tecs have a threaded adjustment so they can vary from literally no spring compression at all to extremely stiff. BUT, as I mentioned, they don't really "fit" the 400F without modifying the chainguard.
I received the eBay chainguard which actually looks a lot nicer than the one on the bike! So I'm trying to decide which one to cut AND trying to figure out what tool would be best suited to making the cutout. I think a Dremel would work well but I don't have one and don't really want to purchase one for a single project. But we'll see.
Of course, one option is to omit the chainguard completely. I never carry a pillion so I don't see any "safety issue" involved but, of course, it SHOULD have a chainguard.
Mikep328:
Actually turned out to be very easy with my Makita cordless jigsaw/metal cutting blade! Yesterday I adjusted the shock length, shortening it slightly to ensure the rear wheel comfortably clears the ground when on the centerstand. Tomorrow, since I have to be at the garage anyway when they come to collect the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe I sold - I'll fit the cut chainguard onto the bike.
FWIW the "new" chainguard from Bay looks really nice but is obviously NOT an original Honda piece. It is of much thinner stock than the OEM chainguard...and very easy to cut! :)
Mikep328:
Went for a 30 mile ride yesterday with the new Tec gas shocks/cutout chainguard. Very pleased with the performance of the shocks as far as their reaction to road conditions but there is some buzz in the footpegs at the upper RPM range that I didn't notice with the DSS shocks. I don't know why different rear shocks would transmit more or less engine buzz but I'm certainly no shock expert! It's not objectionable, more a curiosity than an annoyance though I'd prefer that it wasn't there.
exvalvesetdabbler:
--- Quote from: Mikep328 on April 29, 2025, 09:22:09 PM ---My 400 had Hagons on it when I bought it and I don't recall it feeling excessively stiff. I replaced them with the DSS shocks because I wanted the stock look...I suppose I could put the Hagons back on and see how they feel... ;)
--- End quote ---
Same here and regretting the move so far. I only went for the DSS ones because I didn't want to hack around with a new OEM chainguard. One my bike and on a scrapper I bought 30 years ago both had hagon shocks and lumps hacked out of the chainguard. I did consider new hagon shocks as they have modified them slightly compare to my old ones.
Below is the old Hagon Shocks. If you look at the fork at the bottom there is a short black tubular section before it disappears onto the alloy part. On the newer hagon shocks that tubular section is longer so may have been made that way to clear the chain guard.
Theres no guarantee that the shocks on mine were ever intended for a 400, just what was on it when I got it in 1980.
Regards
Dave.
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Skoti:
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.
Maybe this can be seen by checking out the ebay listing for Honda Ikon shockers below.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/599864980
(I have those successfully fitted to my CB750F1)
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