YFZ450 shocks on a 400ex

[dodgeram14jr]

I know there are posts about this topic already but there really hasn't been any post about if it's a good upgrade and if it's worth grinding that much of the shock away to make it fit as well as notching the frame. I don't mind grinding the shock even tho its alot of metal taking off the shock it's the frame notching that's really a concern to me. Only reason I'm concidering this mod is I found yfz450 shocks at a really good price and they came off a limited edition yfz where the springs are yellow to march my quad. So any input on this subject is appreciated Thanks Dean

[Stickman400]

You can grind the shocks (that's what I did) OR knock the nut off the frame that the plastic mount uses in the upper shock mount and then use a carriage bolt in it's place and get to the same place. Various people have done both on here and had the same results with no complaints thus far so either way is fine. Carriage bolt seems like the easier route though.

[dodgeram14jr]

Ok so there's no need to notch the frame? And will it affect anything with the front end since it's gonna be lowered alittle bit? Heard a possibility of snapping the ball joints from bottoming out. I plan on doing haresrambles and some mx to have some fun. Should I have any concerns about that? Thanks

[DragonGunner]

I did this mod and dirt wheels put the pictures in their magazine. We made the upper mounts wider, (we didn't want to do any grinding on the shocks) we cut and welded to make it wider. Next the Yamaha shocks are shorter so you will set lower in the front, this was not to our liking at all so we used stock a arms and cut and welded new shock mounts that came up higher. We ran this set up for a few years, and my son who rode it liked the ride.

[dodgeram14jr]

Ok I'm gonna think about it before I make the purchase. If I would purchase them I would most likely grind the shocks but I don't wanna touch the frame. And I'm worried about the loss of ride height also. Thanks for everyone's replies so far.

[CJM]

honda 450r shocks fit the way Stickman mentioned, yfz shocks either need to be cut down on the upper mounts or weld new mounts on. They lower the quad a bit and might not work for everyone.

[450rtt]

I put yfz shocks on my 440ex and really preferred the 1" drop, especially compared to the 450r shocks which actually raise the front about an inch as well. I also did no cutting or grinding or welding to get the yfz shocks on. They are no more effort than it takes to put the 450r shocks on. I chose the route of trimming the top mount a tiny bit, took all of 15 minutes to make them fit.

[Stickman400]

Yep, I forgot that those YFZ shocks are wider at the mounts than 450R shocks are. I think the older style are skinny enough to fit but the newer style are too wide. But I'm not sure on any of that.

[DragonGunner]

Yep, I forgot that those YFZ shocks are wider at the mounts than 450R shocks are. I think the older style are skinny enough to fit but the newer style are too wide. But I'm not sure on any of that.


We used 2004 YFZ shocks and they are much wider at the top and no way they are fitting but to weld wider tabs….so I would say maybe the newer ones are different….?

[dodgeram14jr]

So I just purchased a front set of yfz450 shocks that came off a special edition they have yellow springs. I was wondering should I modify them or sell/trade for different shocks that I don't have to do much modifying to.

[zyoung04]

We used 2004 YFZ shocks and they are much wider at the top and no way they are fitting but to weld wider tabs….so I would say maybe the newer ones are different….?

The shock mounts are the same as the old ones. You will see some guys run the yfzr front end on the the old yfz, cheap long travel setup for the yfz. All that's different is the yfzr shocks are longer.

There is no difference in the shocks you bought being any different than any other yfz. The special edition deals are nothing but fancier graphics and different colors on the plastic or shocks springs. I think you would've been better off going with honda 450 shocks honestly, less grinding and better fitment.

[dougyunker]

I've got a full set of like new stock 450R shocks that I'm looking to get rid of if anyone is interested.

[DragonGunner]

The shock mounts are the same as the old ones. You will see some guys run the yfzr front end on the the old yfz, cheap long travel setup for the yfz. All that's different is the yfzr shocks are longer.

There is no difference in the shocks you bought being any different than any other yfz. The special edition deals are nothing but fancier graphics and different colors on the plastic or shocks springs. I think you would've been better off going with honda 450 shocks honestly, less grinding and better fitment.


They worked really good, son loved them and after we had them set up they ate up the roughest nastiest MX tracks…..like Redbud after the motorcycles had at it….nastiest stuff I ever been on. I do agree 450R shock would of been better….but guess what….HONDA handn't got there lazy butts around to making the 450r
in numbers yet!!!

[zyoung04]

They worked really good, son loved them and after we had them set up they ate up the roughest nastiest MX tracks…..like Redbud after the motorcycles had at it….nastiest stuff I ever been on. I do agree 450R shock would of been better….but guess what….HONDA handn't got there lazy butts around to making the 450r
in numbers yet!!!



I don't know why honda hasn't done anything makes me scratch my head. I'm not a hard core lover of any brand. I bought the yfzr because of what it was. IF honda had made something like the yfzr that's what I would have. It's obvious the yfzr sells u got to local races around here that's about all you see. You would thin someone would see that. I'm not sure if you have ever ridden a yfzr but by far the best stock riding quad I've ever been on besides the ktm. It's a turd in stock form but handles great on the track and is easy to maneuver in the trees.

[dodgeram14jr]

Ok guys I put the shocks on. What suggested adjustments do you suggest to make? The shocks seem alittle soft and the springs I don't think have any preload on them there is barely any threads showing up top so there can't be much preload set. Any setup help would be appreciated thanks

[450rtt]

Ok guys I put the shocks on. What suggested adjustments do you suggest to make? The shocks seem alittle soft and the springs I don't think have any preload on them there is barely any threads showing up top so there can't be much preload set. Any setup help would be appreciated thanks



YFZ shocks are soft from the get go, especially compared to the honda 450r shocks which are stiff as a board. What i did on mine was took the spanner nuts on top all the way down so that the most amount of threads were showing. This makes the shock as long as it can get. Since the yfz shocks tend to be a bit short this is the first thing i did. Then i adjusted both adjustment screws for the compression and rebound and set them 2 clicks from all the way hard.

[450rtt]

There is no difference in the shocks you bought being any different than any other yfz. The special edition deals are nothing but fancier graphics and different colors on the plastic or shocks springs. I think you would've been better off going with honda 450 shocks honestly, less grinding and better fitment.

the special edition yfz shocks have an additional adjustment, whereas the regular yfz shocks do not.

[dodgeram14jr]

Will the ride be smooth and still be better than stock 400ex shocks?

[400man]

Will the ride be smooth and still be better than stock 400ex shocks?

they should be alot better. best thing to do is tighten the preload to make the ride height set at the height you want it to, then go and ride it where you normally do. if it acts too soft still, screw in the compression adjustment screw and see if it helps. just dont run it with the screw all the way in tight, back it out a lil bit.

[450rtt]

they should be alot better. best thing to do is tighten the preload to make the ride height set at the height you want it to, then go and ride it where you normally do. if it acts too soft still, screw in the compression adjustment screw and see if it helps. just dont run it with the screw all the way in tight, back it out a lil bit.

yup, you always want to be a couple clicks out from all the way tight if you're trying to set it as tight as it goes, don't click it all the way as 400man said. the yfz shocks will absorb the bumps very well compared to stock 450 shocks.

[blacknblue#2]

the special edition yfz shocks have an additional adjustment, whereas the regular yfz shocks do not.
What other adjustment do they have. Every yfz I've owned or been around has had 3 adjustments. Compression, ride height and rebound. My special edition yfz's had an awesome ugly yellow spring was the only difference!

[dodgeram14jr]

Ok I adjusted the preload and it made a big diffence. I also adjusted the screws in like 450rtt suggested and it didn't seem to rebound so I adjusted the screws all the way out and it rebounded to my liking. Would just adjusting the preload/ride height with the screws all the way out be a good starting spot to start and see how it rides?

[400man]

yep. just ride it, make a small change somewhere and see if it helps or not.

[450rtt]

What other adjustment do they have. Every yfz I've owned or been around has had 3 adjustments. Compression, ride height and rebound. My special edition yfz's had an awesome ugly yellow spring was the only difference!

04, 05, 06 did not have hi/low speed compression. In 07 it came out on special edition model and was then continued on every model from there on.

It is a large gold adjustment knob very easy to see when compared.

[zyoung04]

04, 05, 06 did not have hi/low speed compression. In 07 it came out on special edition model and was then continued on every model from there on.

It is a large gold adjustment knob very easy to see when compared.

I'm gonna steal a line off of a movie again. "wow you can read the brochure"

[blacknblue#2]

04, 05, 06 did not have hi/low speed compression. In 07 it came out on special edition model and was then continued on every model from there on.

It is a large gold adjustment knob very easy to see when compared.

That falls under compression but good catch, you can have your daily enjoyment off that one. Don't go confusing ppl cause not all hi/lo speed knobs are gold. Maybe that's why you haven't seen it on several other shocks its offered on.

[450rtt]

That falls under compression but good catch, you can have your daily enjoyment off that one. Don't go confusing ppl cause not all hi/lo speed knobs are gold. Maybe that's why you haven't seen it on several other shocks its offered on.

let me remind you, this is the statement you made.

What other adjustment do they have. Every yfz I've owned or been around has had 3 adjustments. Compression, ride height and rebound. My special edition yfz's had an awesome ugly yellow spring was the only difference!


you can beat it up any way you want to that's the difference between the two shocks and yes, it is a difference. You said they have 3 adjustments on any of the ones you've seen, i'm sorry your experience is limited, but don't spread bad info because of that, we all dont' need to suffer just because you dont' know what you're talking about. i corrected you and said that the newer and SE models have 4 adjustments. sorry this offended you and made you get butt hurt. facts are facts.

they also changed the spring rates in 06, but i'm sure you already knew that right?

[450rtt]

I'm gonna steal a line off of a movie again. "wow you can read the brochure"

read the brochure? try owning 3 of them, and installing these shocks on my 400ex. It's experience bud. If i was a tough guy like you i'd take cheap shots over the interwebz too! you go girl!

[blacknblue#2]

let me remind you, this is the statement you made.



you can beat it up any way you want to that's the difference between the two shocks and yes, it is a difference. You said they have 3 adjustments on any of the ones you've seen, i'm sorry your experience is limited, but don't spread bad info because of that, we all dont' need to suffer just because you dont' know what you're talking about. i corrected you and said that the newer and SE models have 4 adjustments. sorry this offended you and made you get butt hurt. facts are facts.

they also changed the spring rates in 06, but i'm sure you already knew that right?
I gave you the benefit and told you that you were right, you were just to dumb to take it that way or just wanted to fight. Go dig up a 5 year old post where I was wrong and maybe you can start trolling me too. Hell I don't have to do any digging for you I remember an endless argument with you when you could not accept the fact that hondas had a rotating assembly issue in 04/05. Me inexperienced? There's a reason I'm still around on this site buddy. You just make it more interesting for me. I don't give a damn about spring rates cause they always get replaced. You didn't even know Honda changed the roller crank bearing position in 06. Throw me test of knowledge that matters?

[450rtt]

I gave you the benefit and told you that you were right, you were just to dumb to take it that way or just wanted to fight. Go dig up a 5 year old post where I was wrong and maybe you can start trolling me too. Hell I don't have to do any digging for you I remember an endless argument with you when you could not accept the fact that hondas had a rotating assembly issue in 04/05. Me inexperienced? There's a reason I'm still around on this site buddy. You just make it more interesting for me. I don't give a damn about spring rates cause they always get replaced. You didn't even know Honda changed the roller crank bearing position in 06. Throw me test of knowledge that matters?

what on gods green earth are you talking about roller crank bearing? If you're talking about the big end bearing that notoriously fails on the gen 1's then i'm not sure where our opinions differ. I didn't really see you giving me the benefit of the doubt, what i saw you was you being bitter about the fact that i corrected your post by stating that all shocks are not the same for all years. Again, i'm sorry this has offended you.

[blacknblue#2]

what on gods green earth are you talking about roller crank bearing? If you're talking about the big end bearing that notoriously fails on the gen 1's then i'm not sure where our opinions differ. I didn't really see you giving me the benefit of the doubt, what i saw you was you being bitter about the fact that i corrected your post by stating that all shocks are not the same for all years. Again, i'm sorry this has offended you.

Once again ill explain myself..... There are 2 crank bearings. A roller bearing and a ball bearing. NOW in 04/05 the roller bearing was on the right side. In 06 Honda moved the ball bearing to the right side and the roller bearing to the left side (flywheel side). You argued that fact with me for hours on here one day, obviously that was lack of experience. If you don't recall this argument ill take time out of my day to dig it up for you.....unless you want to, you seem to have enough time to dig up 5 year old threads

[zyoung04]

read the brochure? try owning 3 of them, and installing these shocks on my 400ex. It's experience bud. If i was a tough guy like you i'd take cheap shots over the interwebz too! you go girl!

I see ur banned.....again but I know u can still read it and will most likely be back.....again. There's a gigantic difference between me and u bud. I don't go out my to prove people wrong and I don't hide behind some screen name and cut people down. I'm pretty sure I could dissemble and put a yfz back together quicker than u could. Ohh and by the way I guess u can't see I own 2 myself. So go make a couple more hack job swingarms....I've seen better work from first time welders.

Lol Internet tough guy.....that makes me laugh.

[wilkin250r]

I see ur banned.....again

It's an unwritten rule on this website, but it's as old as the website itself. If you see somebody get banned, don't bring attention to it unless you want to follow them out the door.

[zyoung04]

I've seen others bring it up about the same person after they were banned, and they're still here. Not sure why I get the finger pointed at me and nothing was said to them.

[jimmi]

I've seen others bring it up about the same person after they were banned, and they're still here. Not sure why I get the finger pointed at me and nothing was said to them.

wilking and cjm are butt buddies, cjm can do whatever he wants to without any issues. For example he posts personal information. full names and what not and Erik Wilkin does not care.


...but thanks for adding to the conversation, Sport. We look forward to your gems of knowledge here in the 250R section, especially such useful tidbits as this one (discussing Curtis Sparks TT pipes):

^^^here is Erik posting yesterday doing exactly what he told you not to do zyoung. real douchey if you ask me.

I'm going to go ahead and do what CJM did to anohter member and publicly post Erik's facebook page and full name just like Cjm did. Since Cjm did not get in trouble, i probably shouldn't get in trouble....is that how it's going to work? i doubt my post stays up very long.

https://www.facebook.com/erik.wilkin.54

Erik Wilkin!

[Baileygunns]

Hey Ryan... Isn't facebook real world where people can't hide behind screen names? Why are you so afraid of being called out on the forums with your "real world" facebook account? Last I heard that was the entire reason you use facebook groups over the forums, people can't hide behind screen names... You f*cking hypocrite! lamo

PS... My name is Ed Bailey and my facebook link is: http://www.facebook.com/baileygunns
And you're still... A douche bag

[400man]

haha this is too funny

[wilkin250r]

Yeah, that's me. Do you want my address too?

Funny thing is, the ONLY connection that CJM and I have together is you. We're not buddies and we're not pals. He's a 4-stroke guy, I'm a 2-stroke guy. We hang out in different circles and post in different sections. I don't think I've ever seen him post in the 250r section (unlike your helpful little gems of knowledge like oil filters). I asked CJM privately to keep away from you, and that's exactly what he did. Case and point, he's not in here right now, making fun of you for being banned again, although he's had ample time and opportunity to do so.

You can whine about rules, you can whine about "unfair", and you can whine about how somebody somewhere did something similar to you and didn't get banned. But what you're clearly NOT seeing is what I'm AM seeing. When you show up, problems show up. And when you disappear, those same problems also disappear.

[dodgeram14jr]

Just wanted to say thank you for everyone's helpful advice who replied to my post. Thanks again Dean Jr.