adjusting stock 400ex shocks?

[400exKy1e]

is there any way i can do this without a special tool? thanks

[TC426EX]

Yeah, for the front shocks, get a vise grip or a pliers and just move the setting up or down in a clockwise rotation until you have them as stiff as you want them.. Unfortunately this is the only adjustment you have, and the stock shox suck for everything but the least aggressive rec riding....

[400exKy1e]

k thanks.. i know they suck but im gona try to get the most out of them till i can get some better ones

[MK300racer7]

yeah there is an easier way to ajust them. i ajusted my front shocks with a spanner wrench for the front shocks but you can youse a hammer and a punch but on the back you have to use a hammer and a punch because theres not enough room. a spanner wrench sells for $10-$30 mine was $12 ill show you pic from dennis kirk.com.

[cals400ex]

i would just use channel locks or something similar.

[pead_24]

i can adjust mine with my hands usually its not hard at all

[dynofox]

Where are the compression and rebound adjustments for the rear shock?

[stocktires]

hmmmm, rebound on the bottom (screw i believe) and compression is on the rezzy.

[daimon1054]

Make sure and lift the front off the ground as it will make life easier for you. The screw on the read is for compression, rebound is not adjustable.

[dynofox]

I don't understand why honda went back in time with their ATV shocks:eek2:. My 85 yammie Tri Z 250 and 86 honda 350X both had compression/rebound/preload adjustments on their rear shocks.

[daimon1054]

The shock does have and adjustment screw it just does nothing. I don't think the first 2 years had it though but I am not sure, I remember reading something about it.

The problem with the rear is 1 the shock is not the greatest but more important the angle of the shock and the shaft speed caused by the linkage. A good shock will help a lot but the real fix is to change the linkage and upper shock mount location. That is only needed if you race though, a rec rider can get by with a better or rebuilt rear.

[dynofox]

The ex shock isn't compression adjustable though is it? I was just pointing out that it stinks honda doesn't use shocks that are compression adjustable like their older bikes were.

[daimon1054]

No it is a fully adjustable shock just not a top end shock.

[dynofox]

Wouldn't a fully adjustable shock be compression adjustable? From what I've read the rear 400ex shock is only preload and rebound adjustable.

[Chanman420q]

its compression adjustable it just doesnt have a nob like the after market shocks do

[daimon1054]

On the rez there is a nut with the outside adjusting the high speed compression and the inside adjusting the low speed compression, on the bottom of the shock there is a screw to do nothing but make you think your adjusting the rebound but it is there and of course the threaded nut for preload. On the front you can change pre load and nothing else.

[tigerdog]

i have an 03 ex and the rear shock has compression,rebound and preload adjustments from the factory.
both the comp. and rebound are done with screwdriver and both screws are on same side.

[dynofox]

Cool, thanks for clearing that up. :)

[mgaskey]

can u adjust the sag on the rear shock or do anything to make the rider height lower.

[Cole Trane]

If you adjust the sag on the rear to make it lower, your gonna mess up your travel. It will be less. When I adjusted my preload, the @$$ end sat up about an inch higher. It handled the bumps and jumps better though. To get it lower, you have to get a ssd or zps spring on there.