R shocks on an EX?

[koschak]

I'm thinking about buying some 450r shocks to put on my 440ex, does anyone know if they will just bolt on? Do you know if the rear will fit too? thanks

[cdalejef]

You will need to do a little griding on the upper shock mount then they will bolt on and work OK. For them to work correctly, you should have them revalved for the difference in the 400ex. The rear will not work well at all.

[2001400exrider]

Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
You will need to do a little griding on the upper shock mount then they will bolt on and work OK. For them to work correctly, you should have them revalved for the difference in the 400ex. The rear will not work well at all.

what do you mean when your saying revalve for the ex....when you revalve a shock, you valve it for your weight and use the springs that are stiff enough for the length of your a-arms..I question because when i called elka and asked about getting longer a-arms, i said, "well wont i have to valve them for +2 arms?" and the guy said "no, you dont revalve for longer a-arms, you just get a stiffer bottom spring."

[cdalejef]

The EX is heavier and the leverage is a little different. You should always revalve when you change spring rates. If you went to a stiffer main spring and didn't revalve then you would have too fast of rebound and compression since the spring has more force and will compress and rebound too fast for the valving.

[2001400exrider]

Elka must have given me false info then:rolleyes: but yea, if you got +2 arms, thats more leverage on your shock witch will make them softer....correct? so then you get a stiffer main spring to make up for this..? wheres the revalving required... thats exactly what the guy at elka was telling me.

i understand that the valving is for setting the shock to your weight..noone ever explains how the valving works inside of the shock.

[cdalejef]

When going with a stiffer spring, you must revalve to compensate for the shock being forced through the stroke quicker by the stiffer spring. Something has slow the shock down by the force of the stiffer spring. This is acomplished by a revalve which limits how fast the shock goes through its stroke.

[2001400exrider]

What if you have fully adjustable shocks? with rebound and compression adjustment. Then you can adjust how fast the shock goes through its stroke?

[cdalejef]

Originally posted by 2001400exrider
What if you have fully adjustable shocks? with rebound and compression adjustment. Then you can adjust how fast the shock goes through its stroke? It will depend on where you are running your settings from before. There may just be enough adjustment to compensate for 1 size spring change but if you go more than 1 size then the adjusters alone won't be enough.

[koschak]

would these r shocks work with stock, plus ones, or plus twos on my ex?

[cdalejef]

Only with a revalve and respring.

[koschak]

but would i be able to use the 450r shocks with plus one inch a arms?

[cdalejef]

They still need to be rebuilt to work correctly even with stock arms.

[spudss]

Originally posted by Jeff@QuadShop
The rear will not work well at all.

I have a 450r rear shock on my 400ex.. I have adjusted it to where it is alot smoother and performs better than a stock 400ex rear shock.. I am no expert by any means.. They were just to get me buy untill I get a long travel setup.. But it does work well for me..And bolts right up with no mods

[koschak]

but can i run 450r shocks with extended a arms or only stock length?

[cdalejef]

You can run them on either one BUT for them to work correctly then need to be rebuilt.

[koschak]

i don't know too much about suspension. what do you mean rebuilt. i just bought a pair, what should i do to them to run them with my stock a arms, and when i get plus one inch arms what shall i do?
:ermm:

[cdalejef]

Revalved and resprung for your weight, riding style and bike setup.

[craftyex]

finally some good information on this topic.!!!!

[koschak]

thanks for all the info it helped out alot. happy trails

[Vince44]

does the lenth of the rear shock of a 400 is the same lenth of a 450?

[<DRS>GPF]

Originally posted by Vince44
does the lenth of the rear shock of a 400 is the same lenth of a 450?


umm.. im guessing that you meant to ask if the rear shocks were the same length..

heres some quick info:

400ex SUSPENSION
Front: Independent, double-wishbone with Showa shocks, five-position spring-preload adjustability; 8.2-inch travel
Rear: Pro-Link® fully adjustable single Showa shock; 9.1-inch travel

450r SUSPENSION
Front: Independent double-wishbone w/Showa shocks, featuring adjustable spring preload, rebound & compression damping; 8.4-inch travel
Rear: Pro-Link w/single Showa shock featuring adjustable spring preload, rebound & compression damping; 9.0-inch travel

not alot of difference all around.. especially considering theyre relatively "generic" shocks capable of a variety of adjustments for a variety of riders..

[wvspeedfreak]

Can you use an Elka elite ssd rear shock from a 400ex on a 450r if you have it revalved?

[TRX_450]

if i get r shocks on my ex will i be able to tell the difference between them and the ex shocks?

[koschak]

yes it is a huge difference. after using the 450r shocks i cannot believe i ever used non res. shocks before.