Installing an 08 shock on a Classic: Difference between revisions

Line 1:

[[Category: Suspension]]

~~'''Note from your editor:''' We know for sure now that this~~ swap ~~will work~~, physically. ~~We also know that the~~ J model shock is "stiffer". ~~We don~~'~~t know~~ for ~~sure what that means~~, ~~and this is~~ not ~~a road-proven mod~~. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock~~, but this is still a Beta mod. No guarantees. Your mileage may vary. Enter at your own risk~~.

This is a direct swap, physically. The J model shock is stiffer. Sag is much less than with an OEM F shock. It's much better when riding 2-up, and the bike will squat less at the rear when accelerating. Not much feedback on handling yet, but since it's designed for basically the same bike, there's not much chance it will be too stiff for most people. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock to find out.

The 08 and 09 shocks have the same part #, 45014-0234-23J, so they are the same. If succeeding years are also the same they will work in the same way.

Line 20:

Installation takes about 20 minutes and is very easy. The only extra adjustability on the new shock is preload. It still doesn't have compression or rebound damping. Our suspension man says that the difference in spring height doesn't have any meaning one way or another.

One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike you'll have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.

One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike you'll probably have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.

Here are photos of the EX250J shock installed.

Line 33:

And initial impressions from a new rider who made the switch:

*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer.. much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop. I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does feel better.

*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer... much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop. I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does feel better.

That's all the test information we have. ~~As said at the beginning, it~~ will be up to you to do ~~the~~ testing should you decide to do this mod. Start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the change. Please post your reaction and experiences.

That's all the test information we have. It will be up to you to do some testing should you decide to do this mod. Start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the change. Please post your reaction and experiences.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category: Suspension]]
-'''Note from your editor:''' We know for sure now that this swap will work, physically. We also know that the J model shock is "stiffer". We don't know for sure what that means, and this is not a road-proven mod. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock, but this is still a Beta mod. No guarantees. Your mileage may vary. Enter at your own risk.
+This is a direct swap, physically. The J model shock is stiffer. Sag is much less than with an OEM F shock. It's much better when riding 2-up, and the bike will squat less at the rear when accelerating. Not much feedback on handling yet, but since it's designed for basically the same bike, there's not much chance it will be too stiff for most people. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock to find out.
 The 08 and 09 shocks have the same part #, 45014-0234-23J, so they are the same. If succeeding years are also the same they will work in the same way.
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 Installation takes about 20 minutes and is very easy. The only extra adjustability on the new shock is preload. It still doesn't have compression or rebound damping. Our suspension man says that the difference in spring height doesn't have any meaning one way or another.
-One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike you'll have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.
+One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike you'll probably have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.
 Here are photos of the EX250J shock installed.
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 And initial impressions from a new rider who made the switch:
-*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer.. much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop. I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does feel better.
+*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer... much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop. I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does feel better.
-That's all the test information we have. As said at the beginning, it will be up to you to do the testing should you decide to do this mod. Start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the change. Please post your reaction and experiences.
+That's all the test information we have. It will be up to you to do some testing should you decide to do this mod. Start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the change. Please post your reaction and experiences.