450R shocks - so far, so good!

[F-16Guy]

Okay, I finally got to do some hard riding on my 450R shocks. First, let me say that this probably isn't the most scientific test, but more of a list of my observations. Length: The 450R shocks were about 1/8" longer than the stockers, which didn't change ride height much. I installed them with +2 arms, so the spring rate actually felt softer than stock (but dampning was much stiffer). Mounting: I knocked the square nuts off of the under side of the shock mounts where the fender brackets attach. To mount the brackets, I used a couple of button head screws with nuts, which gave the clearance needed for the top of the shocks. The back side of the shock mounts also rubbed when the arms were fully extended, so I carefully trimmed the back of the mounts with a die grinder where it curves down prior to powder coating. Stroke: Okay, this is where all of the fighting usually starts, but from what I saw, the arm travel was very consistant with what I saw on my wife's stock 400ex. Both quads seemed to bottom at about the same point. Riding: These are obviously not Elkas, but for what you can get a used set for, I think they are a vast improvement. I think they might be valved a little stiff for stock arms, but with +2's, they were night and day better than my stockers. I don't advocate rigging stuff up that is potentially dangerous, but I couldn't find anything with this conversion that would make me worry about the next ride I took.

[F-16Guy]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid196/p932ccba130f7d45d5f8bdf4d88ead03c/f11a0620.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid196/pee23a02cc225a270bf19f39230de7998/f11a0712.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid196/pf262d57d2ec10492647d649a79229ad8/f11a14f8.jpg

[hondaboy400ex55]

so if i have my stock A arms could i just bolt them on?

[400exMO]

Yes, but I reccomend +2s.

[clutt225]

DVX chic runs 450r shocks on her DVX with burgard +2 arms on it and it works great. No its not Elka but it didn't cost Elka.

[balls2da-wall]

Im wanting to run Float Evols on my CRF400ex but they only make them for 450R's but they should fit right? I run +1 a-arms so if they work should I have them set them up for stock a-arms and let the +1 make up the differance for the length?

[F-16Guy]

Originally posted by balls2da-wall
Im wanting to run Float Evols on my CRF400ex but they only make them for 450R's but they should fit right? I run +1 a-arms so if they work should I have them set them up for stock a-arms and let the +1 make up the differance for the length?
As long as you have standard travel arms, the mounting points should be the same, reguardless of whether they're +1, +2, etc. The difference for long travel arms is not how much the arms travel, but how much the shock travels. By moving the bottom shock mount point further out on the arm, you change the leverage ratio, amount of shock stroke (travel), and the length of shock required. Running +1 arms isn't going to compensate for the extra shock length.

[pastfast125]

clutt said 450r shocks fit on a dvx..so therefore they would fit on a z400 right? What are the measurments on those shocks if you could telle me? like length fully extended and compressed? Thanks. Also, if you don't mind, how much did you pay for them?

[balls2da-wall]

Originally posted by F-16Guy
As long as you have standard travel arms, the mounting points should be the same, reguardless of whether they're +1, +2, etc. The difference for long travel arms is not how much the arms travel, but how much the shock travels. By moving the bottom shock mount point further out on the arm, you change the leverage ratio, amount of shock stroke (travel), and the length of shock required. Running +1 arms isn't going to compensate for the extra shock length.

Yeah I figured...I decided to go with the Elka elite series instead, since Fox does production shock for XC anyway.