Currently available shock absorbers?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I did wonder are you sure the DS shocks are the same length as the original Honda part.
If you have the old original Honda part might be worth checking against them.

[K2-K6]

Many of the offering seem to promote the same unit for 400 & 500 is that the case ?

If so, it must mean that the 400 would effectively have too hard a ride to it.

There's not too much point in having much in the way of adjustment for compression damping (that's if it's effective in the first place) as winding that up just takes it toward "boneshaker" as its supposed to move in response to bumps and load.

The rebound however being the more useful in controlling whichever rate spring is needed. 

Simply put, the spring rate should change if load total shifts and not compression damping. Stronger spring to carry weight will ordinarily need raised rebound damping to match that.

[Mikep328]

 I don't have the originals.     The DSS shock length is 315mm center to center which I understand (maybe incorrectly?) was the OEM length.  I measured these shocks at the shortest setting which fouls the chain guard and almost hits the chain and came up with 320mm.  From working on it yesterday, I'm thinking (without being at the bike to check) that because the spring is larger diameter than the DSS (and I assume the OEM shock) it would require at least 10-12mm extension of the shock to avoid fouling the chain guard. 

I believe there is enough adjustment to do that but how it will affect handling/centerstand use is my concern.  Only way to tell is to try it and see...

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I don't know the actual length of the original, Mr Giggle saye 315, a search here mentions 320.http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107596.0

[Mikep328]

Installed the shocks.  It required them to be lengthened to the max allowed per the instructions as well as a bit of chain guard adjusting (bending/denting) to allow them to fit.  With the centerstand down, the rear tire mostly clears the ground though it skims the surface a bit.  I haven't ridden the bike yet but pushing down/releasing the rear suspension feels much more supple than the very stiff DSS shocks.  I expect the bike will feel much more "connected" with the road though, of course, that expectation may or not be met!

Although the info says they fit a CB400F, I would call that a bit of an overstatement.  They are NOT a "simply remove the original shocks/replace with these" type of fit they will require some futzing with the chain guard and if you want OEM-type rear tire/ground clearance with the centerstand down, these won't provide it. 

[Mikep328]

This added to the previous post about 1/2 hour later:  IF you are willing to do considerable working with the chain guard, making the clearance area for the shock considerably larger/deeper, the shock could be mounted with less extension, thus allowing more rear tire ground clearance with the centerstand.  The best way to do it, IMO, would be to actually cut out the clearance area in the chainguard.  It wouldn't really be visible with the shock in place - I doubt it would even be noticeable if carefully done. 

[Mikep328]

Took the bike out today - the new shocks are a definite improvement over the DSS shocks from a handling/feel aspect so in THAT regard they are, IMO,  well worth the price.

However...my earlier statement that a bit of chain guard adjustment coupled with full extension of the shocks eliminated any interference was incorrect.  I discovered that despite those steps the outside edge of the drive sprocket was rubbing on the chainguard.  The only way to stop this would be to cut out a semi-circular section of the chainguard in the area where the factory "dimples" currently exist.  If you try to dent the chainguard further, the dent would rub against the chain itself. 

So...at the moment I removed the chainguard temporarily while I further consider this,  IF replacement chain guards were available from DSS or whoever, I would buy one and do the necessary cutting.  But I will not cut the original chainguard.  Might take a look on eBay...

[Mikep328]

Picked up a 400F chainguard on eBay and will cut it out pretty much as some Honda OEM chain guards had cutouts like either of the following:

[TrickyMicky]

Some years ago, i bought and fitted a pair of shocks advertised as being suitable for the 400.  Fitted them and found that the rear wheel was still kissing the deck when using the centre stand. Looking round at other clearances I saw that the lowered wheel position meant that the rear wheel bolt was now in line with the centre line of the silencer. Not really a problem eh?  Ready for a test run, dropped bike off centre stand only to find that the stand now wanted intimate relations with the lower run of the chain. Enough!!!  Original units refitted and refund obtained for the NFG new ones.  At that time, there were quite a few units available which visibly were exact copies of the OE ones, which I purchased.  As an afterthought I did wonder what effect the oversize ones would have on the steering geometry, as they would in effect cause the front forks to be in a slightly more upright position. I have to admit that the new units, combined with the older style Dunlop K82 tyres, and a new saddle can inflict severe punishment on an ancient derriere!  Stay upright everyone. Mike.

[Laverda Dave]

I don't know if TEC have restocked their 400/4 shocks made for them by IKON (as I was told). Last I heard was they were too expensive to offer at the prices they selling them for, about £80.
Maybe worth a call to TEC?

[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]

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...

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)