adjusting 2004 stock suspension

[H400DAN2004]

hello guys. this has probably been answered but i do not think i am searching it correctly.

i have a 2004 400ex with stock suspension. on the trails i ride on its a bit rough. is there a way to adjust it so when i go over a pile of rock i am not being shaken to death or when i hit the woops not to be bounced around so hard. thanks for your help.

[CJM]

Throw out the stock 400ex shocks and buy some take off from a honda 450r. The stock shocks dont adjust really and are junk.

[honda400ex2003]

which one are you looking to do? fronts or back? theres a tool for both called a spanner wrench that can be used to adjust both of the fronts and backs. then the back has rebound and compression adjustments on it too. rebound- harder = goes up faster
compression harder=slower going down

check your manual also, it shows which screw is which on the rear shock. i cant recall which is which right now but if i was a guessing man id say that the comp is on the bottom.

man it has been along time since anyone has asked about adjusting the stock stuff. I dont even mess with mine any more so i dont worry about which is which.

steve

[H400DAN2004]

how much does a set go for? and are they direct bolt on? what is the difference between the 400 and 450r shocks?

[honda400ex2003]

right around 200 bucks for a set of fronts up or down from there depending on the person and how good of shape they are in. the fronts are pretty much direct bolt on, 2 nuts have to be taken off for the fender brackets then a flat head screw goes through in its place. keep the 400ex rear.



steve

[H400DAN2004]

i would like to do front and rear



Originally posted by honda400ex2003
which one are you looking to do? fronts or back? theres a tool for both called a spanner wrench that can be used to adjust both of the fronts and backs. then the back has rebound and compression adjustments on it too. rebound- harder = goes up faster
compression harder=slower going down

check your manual also, it shows which screw is which on the rear shock. i cant recall which is which right now but if i was a guessing man id say that the comp is on the bottom.

man it has been along time since anyone has asked about adjusting the stock stuff. I dont even mess with mine any more so i dont worry about which is which.

steve

[honda400ex2003]

just turn the dial on the bottom of the springs for the fronts.

just look at which way the holder has to go to soften them up for the fronts.

the back you should be able to just turn both screws 1/2 turn softer and you should be much happier with it. the preload on the spring doesnt really have to get adjusted.

steve

[CJM]

I have adjusted my rear to no end, if you have alot of whoops it will buck b/c the 400ex linkage is to short and doesnt allow the full travel of the shock.

The only real way to eliminate this is to buy GT thunder or jets setup where they rework and revalve/respring your stock shock and give you a different link to give the shock long travel. This will get rid of the bucking, but it also means you cant run a stock style skid, you need a skid that has a cut out for the shock linkage.

[honda400ex2003]

i would also advise against getting 450r shocks if your stock ones are too stiff. the stiffest setting on a stock front r shock is about as soft as you will get a 450r shock without getting it resprung and revalved for your specific setup.

steve

[CJM]

Good point ^

[H400DAN2004]

THANKS MAN. i will adjust the stock units like you said and report back to you.

i do not want it like a cadi but i just want it a little less bouncy you know.

[honda400ex2003]

that should work for you. if you are careful you can do the fronts without the tool also. lift it up as always to get the pressure off and you can tap them with a hammer and and a screwdriver or use a channel lock on them if they move freely. sometimes they get gummed up and require the spanner to get it moving.

:D :D

http://smilieshq.com/smilies/party0007.gif (http://www.smilieshq.com)

do the wave whoot
http://smilieshq.com/smilies/party0018.gif (http://www.smilieshq.com)

steve

[H400DAN2004]

your the man. thanks


Originally posted by honda400ex2003
that should work for you. if you are careful you can do the fronts without the tool also. lift it up as always to get the pressure off and you can tap them with a hammer and and a screwdriver or use a channel lock on them if they move freely. sometimes they get gummed up and require the spanner to get it moving.

:D :D

http://smilieshq.com/smilies/party0007.gif (http://www.smilieshq.com)

do the wave whoot
http://smilieshq.com/smilies/party0018.gif (http://www.smilieshq.com)

steve

[honda400ex2003]

nah...

but thanks anyway. lol just been there and done that.

actually i really enjoyed my stock susp with it softened to the 2nd notch from full soft for trail riding. i used to rip with them full hard all the time and they would rattle my teeth out sometimes. softening them up really made it ride nice.

When i ran my mud sharks i used to do the 1/2 turn deal on the rear too since they were super stiff. it made the rear end super stiff since none of the bump would go into the tire.

steve

[PLF]

I put YFZ 450 front shocks on mine and had the spring powder coated fire red

You only have to grind the top of the shock to make in narrower and the bottom is bolt on.

The ride is very nice once you set them up to your liking and no need for revalve. And contrary to what others say with the preload adjusted right you don't really loose any height..


IN THE FIRST PICTURE PRELOAD IS NOT ADJUSTED YET

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/PLF69/IMG-20110201-00115.jpg


http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/PLF69/IMG-20110201-00112.jpg

[tri5ron]

H400DAN,
just curious, How much do you weigh ?
As CJM first mentioned, the front shocks are junk. They are literally the very first thing that should be changed on any 400EX.
We commonly refer to them as 'Pogo-Sticks".
now you know why, :D



PLF,
what are the brackets welded to your front bumper used for ?:D

[01boneless]

so hows it comeing??