Installed kfx450 shocks

[rcatvrider]

My kfx shocks came in yesterday and I quickly went to work modding them the fit. The upper shock eye must be cut down 1/4" to fit. You would think that would make them weak because the ring of aluminum around the bushing looks thin on top, but once you cut into it they are actually alot beefier on the inside than what is visible on the ends. I have the preload set to stock, the compression in three click, and the rebound all the way out for trail riding and small jumps. The shocks are the same length as stock, maybe 1/8" shorter but I now have lower ride height because I can set the droop. As for the ride, once I broke them in they worked just as good as stock on the slow stuff and small bumps, but were 100% better for jumping. I continually got 3-4' to flat and nosedived a couple times and did not feel them bottoming once. It has a much less tendency to three wheel in corners now too. On top of everything, they look awesome so I am happy.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/004.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/005.jpg

[powermadd400ex]

wow man it looks sick!

[rob_990]

sweet!

[sc400ex_rider]

looks good, good job!!!

[MtnEX]

So you think the shocks are a lot better then?


I myself was just thinking of trading for the whole quad (KFX450R).
It's on my list anyways....

[exrider12]

Thats what a 400ex should like from the factory;)

[rcatvrider]

These are way better than stock. I never rode an ex with yfz or 450r shocks so I don't know how they stack up against those, but once I broke them in and adjusted the compression they were great for trails and small jumps.

[rcatvrider]

Originally posted by exrider12
Thats what a 400ex should like from the factory;)
It probably should but hey, I haven't seen anyone with them on a 400ex yet so I'm happy with mine.

[yellow416ex]

what year kfx450 did those come off of? Looks sweet by the way!

[rcatvrider]

Not sure what year they are off of. Thanks

[yellow416ex]

so what made you decide on those instead of 450r or YFZ shocks?

[rcatvrider]

450r shocks were too expensive, and yfz shocks lower the ride height too much since I ride trails and need the ground clearance. Plus my buddy has a kfx450 and I thought they felt pretty nice.

[yellow416ex]

Originally posted by rcatvrider
450r shocks were too expensive, and yfz shocks lower the ride height too much since I ride trails and need the ground clearance. Plus my buddy has a kfx450 and I thought they felt pretty nice.

good to know, thanks man

how much did you get these for? You said 450r are expensive so these must be $50 or something?

[powermadd400ex]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
how much did you get these for? You said 450r are expensive so these must be $50 or something?
he bought these new, new 450r shocks are 250 new, roundabouts.
:rolleyes:

[rcatvrider]

I got these for $130 brand new. I know if you look around long enough you can find used 450r shocks for under 200, but even if I found 450r shocks for the same price I would still go with these. They are not stiff for trails like most say 450r shocks are, I like the look of the side rezzies better, and it gives my quad a little originality.

Originally posted by powermadd400ex
he bought these new, new 450r shocks are 250 new, roundabouts.
:rolleyes:

Dont roll your eyes at me little arrogant punk.

Originally posted by rcatvrider
I got these for $130 brand new. I know if you look around long enough you can find used 450r shocks for under 200, but even I found 450r shocks for the same price I would still go with these. They are not stiff for trails like most say 450r shocks are, I like the look of the side rezzies better, and it gives my quad a little originality.

I had 3 pairs of 450r stock shocks for $125 shipped. Deffinately original with those shocks. 450r shocks arent stiff at all either lol

[powermadd400ex]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
Dont roll your eyes at me little arrogant punk.

whatever you saw foxhondarider :eek:

rcatv:
i think the kfx's look better since it doesnt raise ride height at all.

[rcatvrider]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
I had 3 pairs of 450r stock shocks for $125 shipped. Deffinately original with those shocks. 450r shocks arent stiff at all either lol
I think you got pretty lucky with that price. Check out ebay and the forums and they rarely go for under 200. There are many people who say they are stiff for trails, too. Your experiences are probably different, I'm just generalizing what I have seen/heard. Nothing wrong with 450r shocks, I'm just saying...

Originally posted by powermadd400ex
whatever you saw foxhondarider :eek:

No, I havent seen him

[250Renvy]

Did you have to modify the bottom mount at all?

Originally posted by powermadd400ex
whatever you saw foxhondarider :eek:

rcatv:
i think the kfx's look better since it doesnt raise ride height at all.

I believe 450 shocks only raise it with those gay-***** stock arms. Get some plus 2's and there fine and dandy.

[rcatvrider]

There was some play at first so I installed a washer to take up the play.

[Rkangel7]

Did you grind the upper eye to clear the fender mount, or was it because of another clearance issue?

[rcatvrider]

The top mount was too wide and it hit the fender mounting nut so I ground the nut down.

[dang400ex]

Here is mine with my Yfz shocks....good improvement as well and were cheaper than 450r shocks....I like the idea of the Kfx shocks!

[dirtmerchant42]

ive got yfz450 shocks too couldnt pass them up as they were FREE lol
made the ride so much better but overall still sucks with the stock a-arms

[SPDSNYPR]

Originally posted by rcatvrider
I got these for $130 brand new.

Did you just order them from a dealership?

[Pappy]

Originally posted by SuicideMFNdoors
I believe 450 shocks only raise it with those gay-***** stock arms. Get some plus 2's and there fine and dandy.

You will have to explain that seeing that the shock mount is in the exact same location on +2 arms as it is on stock.

My buddys sat higher and rode rougher with stock arms. He threw on some +2's and they made a difference.

[Pappy]

Originally posted by SuicideMFNdoors
My buddys sat higher and rode rougher with stock arms. He threw on some +2's and they made a difference.

That would be because the wider arms added leverage to the shock...the ride heigth would be the same if it wasn't adjusted.

The 450 shocks tend to be a bit stiff on stock arms I agree, and the ride quality is, for most, improved with the addition of wider arms. You can get a fairly in-expensive spring kit from Works that is a big improvement for folks making this swap.

[250Renvy]

Originally posted by Pappy
You will have to explain that seeing that the shock mount is in the exact same location on +2 arms as it is on stock.

I think it is slightly wider on a +2 a-arm than stock, at least on my 250R a-arms it seems to be.

Stock uses a 15 3/4 in shock and +2 uses a 16 1/4 in shock and according to Colby either, 1/2 in or 1/4 in = 1 inch ride height.


Dang 400ex - did you have to modify the mounts or anything to get the YFZ shocks to fit?
How long are they eye to eye?

[Pappy]

The point I was making is that the ride heigth will not vary greatly by just the addition of +2 arms. I cant comment on the 250r because I havent measured them(stock versus aftermarket arms)

I went through all this when we did the 450R conversions on our project 400...and we used 250r arms which DID lower the ride height..to much(due to the walsh arms requireing a slightly longer shock then what we had. I just dont want folks thinking any set of +2 arms garuntee's them a ride height cure.

[Snipe]

If ya search you can get the 450R shocks for around $150 I got mine for $160 shipped to my door. I love the fact that they stretch the a arms out and it gives ya longer travel over the stock 400 and like ya said no more three wheeling threw corners and jumps are nice and smooth.

Have hit some bank jumps that just launch ya straight up and land flat with no bottoming out or anything the resi of anykind is def an improvment over stock. They may not be race quality but for $150 you will love the ride alot better.

thanks for clarifying pappy.. I should of been more clear. I'd love to try some out if some guy would send me the ones I paid for a 3 weeks ago. :rolleyes:

The shocks wont make your ride heigh any different if you dont want them to be. You can get them lower than stock, stock, or higher than stock.

[Pappy]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
The shocks wont make your ride heigh any different if you dont want them to be. You can get them lower than stock, stock, or higher than stock.

You are very limited to lowering the ride height with these shocks with out a spring change.

[SPDSNYPR]

Originally posted by SPDSNYPR
Did you just order them from a dealership?

Anyone?


Bueller?

[rcatvrider]

They would cost several hundred from a dealership. I got mine from the classifieds.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by rcatvrider
The top mount was too wide and it hit the fender mounting nut so I ground the nut down.

You ground down a 1/4 of an inch or did u do it with a hack saw? It seems using a grinder would hear it up and warp it
How do u reach the shock mount bolt since its in between the frame?
Jw cause i got some and will be puttin them on when i get back from harlan. (oct 2-4)

[djcluejs]

its snowing there already lol

[rcatvrider]

You use a hacksaw to make the upper shock mount on the shocks smaller. The part I had to grind was inside of the shock mount on the frame. If you look at the upper shock mounts on the frame, you will see a nut welded to the top inside the mount. That is the nut I had to grind, you would not be able to fit anything but a file in there to grind it down.

If the snow comment was about my picture, those were taken last winter.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by rcatvrider
You use a hacksaw to make the upper shock mount on the shocks smaller. The part I had to grind was inside of the shock mount on the frame. If you look at the upper shock mounts on the frame, you will see a nut welded to the top inside the mount. That is the nut I had to grind, you would not be able to fit anything but a file in there to grind it down.

If the snow comment was about my picture, those were taken last winter.

Okay I see I was wondering how you used a grinder like in a shop haha. I was gonna use a hacksaw unless someone said not to. I didn't think about using a file on that nut. Thanks

O ic he musta thought it was a newer thread? I was like hows he know? haha ima delete that post.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
Okay I see I was wondering how you used a grinder like in a shop haha. I was gonna use a hacksaw unless someone said not to. I didn't think about using a file on that nut. Thanks

O ic he musta thought it was a newer thread? I was like hows he know? haha ima delete that post.

Well I tried the hack saw and I couldnt cut very straight. My dad measured wrong and we cut it to be 15 mm instead of 19-20 mm so I wasted my money unless my local shop can weld some stuff and cut the other shock better. My dad thought it just looked to weak to put it on just 15mm thick.
So just a warning to everyone be careful when you try this. I'll let you know how it works out with my local shop cutting the other.

EDIT: They just grinded the S*** out of em and scratched my springs all up but they almost fit now just a bit more hacking.

[rcatvrider]

You have learned the hard way that always better to cut too little than too much. You can always file them to perfection if they are too large.

[bkelley]

You have any pictures of the grinding process? I'd like to see how much you took off exactly. I just got a brand new pair of KFX take-offs for $150 off eBay,

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by bkelley
You have any pictures of the grinding process? I'd like to see how much you took off exactly. I just got a brand new pair of KFX take-offs for $150 off eBay,

I took mine to the local shop and they grinded it all over but it woorks and is much better than stock. I don't know how much they grinded just measure when you get them is all I can advise.

[bkelley]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
I took mine to the local shop and they grinded it all over but it woorks and is much better than stock. I don't know how much they grinded just measure when you get them is all I can advise.
Yeah, I think I'm gonna compare them side-by-side with my stocks then look at the difference and start from there.

Are those the stock a-arms? If so, I'm loving the wider stance the shocks make.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by bkelley
Yeah, I think I'm gonna compare them side-by-side with my stocks then look at the difference and start from there.

Are those the stock a-arms? If so, I'm loving the wider stance the shocks make.

Yea stock arms, wheels, everything. It did make it sit a little lower which I guess kinda pushes it out. haha Which my toe is out so that could be a bit of an illusion.

[rcatvrider]

Still running these shocks and loving them. Can't wait to go riding this winter!

[JParisi48]

anyone else want some shocks i got some for sale?

[rlbuhsjr]

Yeah i am interested how much shipped to 61611

[JParisi48]

Originally posted by rlbuhsjr
Yeah i am interested how much shipped to 61611

i dont know, make me an offer and ill let you know, thanks

[rlbuhsjr]

$80.00

[JParisi48]

no people have sold them for 180$, i will sell em to ya for **130$** shipped, they are in great working condition nothing wrong with them at all, zip tied the bushings in already they are good to go if you want them...let me know, thanks

[bkelley]

$130 shipped is a good price. I paid $170 shipped for mine. They were a brand new set of take-offs, though.

[JParisi48]

mine are off my 09 bought this time last year, and i took em off a few months ago cuz i got aftermarket. they are in good shape!

[rcatvrider]

I got my take-offs for 130 shipped but I was lucky. Anything around 150 is reasonable granted they are in good shape.

[JParisi48]

does the rear shock work on 400ex's?

[MtnEX]

Originally posted by JParisi48
mine are off my 09 bought this time last year, and i took em off a few months ago cuz i got aftermarket. they are in good shape!

What aftermarket did you get?

I get behind sometimes trying to keep up with who got what.

[JParisi48]

Originally posted by MtnEX
What aftermarket did you get?

I get behind sometimes trying to keep up with who got what. i got walsh, motowoz, the setup is awesome!

[rlbuhsjr]

Bkelley, or anyone else that has Installed these
What do you think of the Kfx450 shocks and how was making them fit. I just order the set and wondering how it worked out for you.

[bkelley]

I love them, very happy with the results. It takes a little bit of work, but it's well worth it. Here's my thread about the install:

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=418040