honda 450r front shocks

[TRX01]

ok well i got a set of 450r front shocks, went on like a breez......test them out with some wheelies and stuff, and they seem to be really stiff, any way to soften them?
heres some pics
http://i46.tinypic.com/1z4y6o6.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/24e6fpg.jpg

yes i no, my frame is CRAP, as u can see the previous owners JB welded the 2 front rails together....but dont worrry i got a new frame thats being sand blasted, gusset kit, and gloss balck...ahahha

[3400ben]

Have them revavled. Jet Suspension did mine.

[TRX01]

wat i should have said, was how to do u soften them up cheaply?..........ahhaahh like adjustment?

[slightlybent47]

It looks like the pre load is set to stiff in the pic.
Screw those pre load adjustments all the way to the top and that will soften them up some. Speed up the compression that will help.

[TRX01]

ok, so could u tell me how to do that? ahah.......so there are the 2 H-S adjusters at the top and the bottom of the shocks, what do those do, and wats the pro load adjusted? and how do u speed up the compression? these 450r shocks are confusing compared to the stockers

[rocky_mtn_honda]

everything you could possibly want to know is right here...
http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187613

[TRX01]

well ive read through that thread and cant find any thing about how to adjust them......

[rocky_mtn_honda]

http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx239/rocky_mtn_honda/TRX450R%20Manual%20Pages/450rshockadjustment.jpg
http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx239/rocky_mtn_honda/TRX450R%20Manual%20Pages/450rshockadjustment1.jpg

[Edsfast400ex]

To adjust the preload u need to loosen the two locking rings at the top of the shock. They are what the top of the spring sets against. Use a hammer and punch to loosen the top ring and back it up to the top of the threads. Then adjust the bottom ring up which in turns takes some of the pressure off the spring. This should also lower your ride height back down some. Mine sets 1/4" lower than it did with the stock front shocks. Lock the rings back tight together. I have 06 450r shocks on my 01 and I like them without a rebuild. I have preload set at the top level with the top of the threads. Compression set all the way soft and back in 1/4 turn. Rebound set in the middle of soft and hard. I also had to speed up the rebound on my rear shock to help match up to the 450 fronts. Hope this gives you somewhere to start from.

[TRX01]

thanks RM honda....thats helps

[rocky_mtn_honda]

np...glad to help :p

[bigbad400]

"Use a hammer and punch to loosen the top ring and back it up to the top of the threads."


that is absolutely retarded. they have tools for these things, use channel locks. or if you have a clutch holder that is the perfect thing to use. a hammer your gonna mess **** all up its soft aluminum, and it will break easily, you want to ruin a nice set of shocks send em to me. lol

[TRX01]

ok, i losed the preload all the way to the top, adjusted the rebound to soft, and then the compression to soft.....now on the top part of the shock, there is the little compression screw that u can adjust but the screw is in the middle of the little knob......whats that knob doo if u turn it?

[TRX01]

bump......can some one answer my question

[flyboy1294]

Originally posted by TRX01
bump......can some one answer my question

I think you remove that when you are getting the shocks recharged with nitrogen. In other words, don't touch lol.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[TRX01]

ok was just checking to make sure that wasnt an adjustment either...dont worry i havent yet, i didnt messs with it for those reasons, thought i had something to do with the nitrogen

[flyboy1294]

Originally posted by TRX01
ok was just checking to make sure that wasnt an adjustment either...dont worry i havent yet, i didnt messs with it for those reasons, thought i had something to do with the nitrogen

Good call. The pre-load collers, compression, and rebound are the only adjustments on the 450r shocks. You've got all those bases covered it sounds like.

[honda400ex2003]

yup that is what it is for. you can get them charged up again to make them a bit stiffer or you can take some out to make them softer supposedly but i would never try to do it myself. i have only read that you can do it. I guess that could be a question to ask around here to find out if you can get some nitrogen in a tank and add some to each. this then arises the question of how much to add and how to control a specific amount input. i am sure the pro shock guys have a method to do it but may not share since this may be the some of the secrets to their success. steve

[flyboy1294]

Originally posted by honda400ex2003
yup that is what it is for. you can get them charged up again to make them a bit stiffer or you can take some out to make them softer supposedly but i would never try to do it myself. i have only read that you can do it. I guess that could be a question to ask around here to find out if you can get some nitrogen in a tank and add some to each. this then arises the question of how much to add and how to control a specific amount input. i am sure the pro shock guys have a method to do it but may not share since this may be the some of the secrets to their success. steve

While the topic is open, how often do you recommend getting them recharged?

[honda400ex2003]

I cant recommend anything since i have never dealt with some rechargables until now. lol. I look forward to finding out. steve

[flyboy1294]

Originally posted by honda400ex2003
I cant recommend anything since i have never dealt with some rechargables until now. lol. I look forward to finding out. steve

Haha ok. The reason I ask is my bike is 10 years old with the oem shock on the back. The compression still seems good though, so until I'm told otherwise I guess I'll keep using it.

[honda400ex2003]

we may be able to check the psi of it to find out what, if any it is at, with a pressure guage but it may not be accurate since the nitrogen has different properties than the air. i am not sure how much different it is though. lol. steve

[flyboy1294]

lol I'd be concerned that I would release too much nitrogen out or something.

[honda400ex2003]

lol me too. i wouldnt try it. steve

[TRX01]

feel free to talk it up all yall want about shocks, this is a learning experence for me.......they are still semi stiff, i think as i get older and bigger it will get softer with more weight, or if i can get a job this summer and get some wider arms it will be good.....but ill just ridem like they are right now.....haha i wonder if and one would trade me for some works or sumthing...haha doubt that

[honda400ex2003]

i went two turns out from fully seated on both the comp and rebound. i havent tried it out though too much with the snow. steve

[TRX01]

well mine are turned ALL the way our to soft on reb. and comp.

[honda400ex2003]

they seemed soft enough but it was 10 degrees out. I cant wait to get the snow gone. I want to try out the stage 2 and some other stuff i want to mess with on it from the carb also. steve

[TRX01]

sounds good man...thanks for chipping in you opinion and info

[honda400ex2003]

no prob. i will be doing some stuff in the spring to see how it is at different settings. it is hard to tell when you are in snow lol. steve