[BaileyRock]

Vtec owners have from cheap shocks to top of the line Ohlins or Penske .

from left stock Vtec, F4, F3, Fox F2/F3 shocks



Stock Vtec shock is 12.4688"(317mm) long w/ a 7.5" long spring.

CBR 929 shock is 11.281"(286.5mm)w/a 6.250" long spring(needs 30mm top mount spacer to use on vtec) and can be used on a Vtec with a mod to the rear brake support bracket bolted behind the shock on the back of the Frame. Member dallasb did this mod check post #74 here in this thread.

CBR F4/F4i shock is 12"(305.6MM) w/a 5.5" long spring and would only need a 11mm top mount spacer and stiffer spring depending on your weight.

I installed a FOX Twin Clicker off an CBR F3 on my vtec first, it would just get to the 12 3/8" at max (beyond) length adjustment(ride height). Better than stock shock but no where near as good as the other 3 brands.

CBR 1100XX(Blackbird)shock is a nice & cheap drop in shock for the vtec as it runs a stiffer 16.9kg spring and is 3-5mm longer at 320mm so it would jack up the rear a little to provide extra ground clearance and quicker turn-in. Maybe $50 and a straight bolt in!

Penske, Ohlins & ELKA all make new shock for the Vtec also from about $650-up.

I was running this Fox F2/F3 on my vtec with a stock spring rate(15.3 kg from a 929 shock), but decided to to upgrade to an Ohlins that came off a CBR F3. Here's the Ohlins next to a stock Vtec shock.

CBR F3 Ohlins vs stock Vtec shock



I ended up running the stock or a 850 lb spring on the Ohlins at first, but after upgrading my front forks by having Phil at Aftershocks build my VFR forks I found I need (also advised by Phil) to increase my rear spring rate too. So I removed the stock again to install a different spring on the Ohlins, a 19.3 kg.
While it's out I took a shot of the top mount with a longer bolt(through frame) and the aluminum spacer I made to make up for the approx 1" shorter CBR Ohlins.
Here's the stock and modded mount w/spacer.

modified top shock mount- Vtec



I mounted the remote on a bracket that bolts to the back side of the left rear peg bracket.

Cbr F3 Ohlins installed



A stock F3 or F4 shock can be used on a Vtec but with several issues. One is that they are sprung much lighter than a VFR and the pre-load adjuster in on the bottom of the shocks making adjustment a hassle, but not impossible. With a spring change and a new top mount spacer made you could have a fully adjustable shock that should work better than our stock Vtec's. If your less than 150 lbs a F4/F4i shock might be a great/cheap improvement for your Vtec with only needing an 11mm spacer to install it.

Now what is a great upgrade for the 5th Gen VFR (CBR 929)will not work as easily on our Vtecs because of clearance issues with the fixed remote.
This is using a CBR 929 (only) shock on your 98-01 VFR's and it even has the same 15.3 kg spring as the VFR. The 954 has the remote adjuster on the opposite side and causes some clearance problems and has a softer spring than the 929 so not the best choice for the 5th gen install.

These are both 929 shocks, the white spring ones came on the Erion versions of the 929 and yellow springs on the standard 929.


Also check on Turtlecreeks F4i shock install on his Vtec after having Aftershocks rebuild/revalve and respring it!

[SEBSPEED]

Bailey, do you think the internals of an F4i shock shoud be changed in any way when coupled with a stiffer spring? I weigh just under 200, and would like to use my old F4i shock on the viffer.

[BaileyRock]

SEBSPEED, on Mar 27 2006, 09:01 PM, said:

Bailey, do you think the internals of an F4i shock shoud be changed in any way when coupled with a stiffer spring? I weigh just under 200, and would like to use my old F4i shock on the viffer.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You know I have never been in a rear shock, but I'm looking at trying to fit a firmer spring to one of the F3 or F4 shocks. I now have an extra 850 lb spring that might work ? As far as valving or re-valving the F4, it all depends on how high of a spring you go with. I would think it could handle the stock VFR rate, maybe a little more within it's adjustments. Much higher might be pushing it's capacity to dampen the spring? Stock F4 is like a 800 lb and our VFR's are 850 lb stock so that's not much difference IMO.
FotoMoto ran a F4 with stock F4 spring cranked w/full preload, said it felt pretty good but needed a stiffer spring.

[BaileyRock]

SEBSPEED, on Mar 27 2006, 10:00 PM, said:

Which is off the F2/3 shock? That spring won't fit the F4i shock, will it? It's a bit shorter? I also have a 600RR shock laying around, but I don't know what the specs are on it, i.e. spring length/rate.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure, but I think so. This is a standard 6''x 2.225"x 850 lb spring and looks like you would have aprox. 3/8" of pre-load on the spring at full soft setting. The factory spring tapper down about 1/4 " on one end so a bigger seat may be needed?



F4 shock/ Eibach 850 lb spring

[BaileyRock]

spud786, on Mar 27 2006, 10:41 PM, said:

I would not go to a shorter shock , this bikes cornering is grately effected by rear ride height.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No worries, I would never install a shorter shock unless I was lowering the bike and dropped the front the same amount. A spacer is needed at the top mount bracket to make up any length of a shorter shock like I show in my Ohlins install in this post ! :P

[zRoYz]

Yes was looking for this thread glade it's back

I have also found that any aftermarket shock that is made or comes off a VFR750 is straight bolt in replacement for VTEC (the standard 750 shock no good due to preload adjustment stem & the VTEC shock is better anyway).

VTEC shock length standard is 317.5mm
VFR750 shock length is 320mm

1mm extra added to shock length on all VFR'S works out to be about 3.3mm more ride hight rear, so 2.5mm difference is about what people shim there shock anyway.

This post has been edited by zRoYz: 28 March 2006 - 12:35 AM

[BaileyRock]

zRoYz, on Mar 27 2006, 11:34 PM, said:

Yes was looking for this thread glade it's back?

I have also found that any aftermarket shock that is made or comes off a VFR750 is straight bolt in replacement for VTEC (the standard 750 shock no good due to preload adjustment stem & the VTEC shock is better anyway).

VTEC shock length standard is 317.5mm
VFR750 shock length is 320mm

1mm extra added to shock length on all VFR'S works out to be about 3.3mm more ride hight rear, so 2.5mm difference is about what people shim there shock anyway.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds good to me and thanks for sharing ! Many, but not all aftermarket shock have ride height adjust. too, which really makes it easy !
On Vtec shock length, I've never got that claimed 317.5mm(12.5") on the Vtec shock I've measured, there more like 315mm (12 3/8").
:thumbsup:

[BaileyRock]

My new Ohlins rear spring just showed up and it's purdy.
Will install it tonight,but still waiting for my bodywork from the painter before I can ride it again!
It's a Ohlins 01093-79/190 L445 which is aprox. 19.3 kg and 1086 lbs.

[Das Bone]

So, am I getting this right that the Ohlins doesn't make a shock that is a direct replacement for the VFR, i.e. no spacer needed?

The reason I ask is someone told me that Ohlins does make a direct replacement and now I'm wondering if he is full of sh*t <_<


Thanks Bailey :thumbsup:

[benSV]

Yes I looked it up...

There are two drop in Ohlins shocks that have almost exactly the correct length and spec for the VFR.

One has a remote Preload Adjuster and the other has a threaded pre-load collar.

They are designated 46DRS (remote preload) and 46DR I think.

Length is 317.5mm, about 1/8" longer then stock, perfect to jack up the rear a bit. Stroke is 53.5mm.

I found them online in one place for $750 but the correct price appears to be closer to $850-900.

Looks like they are available for the 5th gen too.

Looks good to me, if I'm going to go to all the trouble to swap em out I want to get the bike nearly perfect the first time.

I might do it next year, depends on the cost to work over the forks too. I really want that remote preload adjuster though, I find it highly annoying that Honda gave the remote preload adjuster to ABS riders but not to the rest of us.

[BaileyRock]

benSV, on Mar 28 2006, 02:30 PM, said:

Do you care about remote comp/rebound adjust though?

I mess with the preload constantly, I've never really messed with my rebound once.  I set it like 1/8 turn higher then stock the first time I took the bike to the track and I've never touched it again.

It gets you a little more convenience then stock as you don't have to pull out any tools to adjust the rebound.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Me I'm just the opposite, I set the Sag once and never touch pre-load again. On the other hand I play with comp. on the remote quite often, I can just reach back and add or take out a few clicks. I may pull out a few clicks when I hit the highway or straighter section and click back in a little when I hit the twisties again.
It also offers less chance of over heating fade with the extra reservoir of goodies.
Once I get everything set-up right with my new spring and spend the time getting all the setting right, I may never really have to play with it again unless I do a track day or something. :P

[benSV]

You don't carry around luggage, passengers, etc?

I find I have to make big adjustments to the rear preload with either.

I had a wicked stupid/funny story in 2004 with the preload.

I was going out with this girl and we were planning on going for a ride.

I ride over to her place and my shock preload tool basically "strips" on the shock. (The tab had basically worn down over time)

We ended up taking her car to go out, but I cursed up a storm and she decided she didn't need to spend so much time with me a week or two later. :lol: Guess she was worried I might get as mad at her as I got at myself!

[BaileyRock]

jeremy556, on Apr 4 2006, 10:58 PM, said:

So... My stock shock sucks at 36K miles and I have change to .95kg springs on the forks. I need remote pre load adjuster for 2-up and luggage. What are the best options, what are the cheap options?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You could have your shock rebuilt and re-sprung for aprox. $250 or so. A after market shock for the F2-3-4 would be good and you might be able to use the stock remote pre-load adjuster by running a shorter spring. ?

[BaileyRock]

jeremy556, on Apr 5 2006, 08:07 PM, said:

I am looking at that Ohlins 46DRS someone posted about for $600 and change... I am guess that would be about the best solution at not too terrible of a price.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bought my Ohlins (CBR F3) on eBay for $300 and changed the spring ($100) and all I had to do was make a 1" spacer as mentioned here. I bought a Fox for like $225 before that.
Any aftermarket shock for a honda WITHOUT a fixed remote should work with a spacer and spring change !

[SEBSPEED]

baileyrock, on Apr 5 2006, 09:23 PM, said:

I bought my Ohlins (CBR F3) on eBay for $300 and changed the spring ($100) and all I had to do was make a 1" spacer as mentioned here. I bought a Fox for like $225 before that.
Any aftermarket shock for a honda WITHOUT a fixed remote should work with a spacer and spring change !
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Valuable information right there, I say! My F4i just gave up its shock tonight, which shall be shelved for a(hopefully very short) period of time until it gets a new spring and becomes a VFR part :salesman: Makes me really hope that I end up liking the 1000rr shock that's slated to go in the CBR... :joystick:

[Chris_VFR]

SEBSPEED, on Mar 28 2006, 02:29 PM, said:

Send me a pm stating what you want out of it, and age, condition, etc. Thank you!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just as an aside- to lower a 5th Gen for short riders (or a good upgrade for 5th Gen if available) is a 6th Gen shock- I fitted one to my partner's bike, it is 5mm shorter and lowered the bikes rear end by 15mm. I slid the forks through the same amount and she is very happy (and fast interestingly enough, now she is comfortable).

[Chris_VFR]

I just went down to the local breaker/ Wrecker and have found a CBR900RR (up to and including the 919 edition) rear unit will fit a VTEC (6th Gen). both are 307mm long. This shock also fits a Blackbird, all 3 bikes share the same rear spring rate- (15kg/mm)

The 5th Gen can use the same shock, but will need a spacer shim on top of the shock shackle of approx 7mm. it also has the same spring rate.

so as an option, the 900RR fireblade shock is an easier fit, give you a remote reservoir and compression damping adjustment. I am unsure of damping, so I am going to fit it straight in and let you all know.

Photo's to follow.

[BaileyRock]

Chris_VFR, on Apr 11 2006, 07:57 PM, said:

I just went down to the local breaker/ Wrecker and have found a CBR900RR (up to and including the 919 edition) rear unit will fit a VTEC (6th Gen). both are 307mm long. This shock also fits a Blackbird, all 3 bikes share the same rear spring rate- (15kg/mm)

The 5th Gen can use the same shock, but will need a spacer shim on top of the shock shackle of approx 7mm. it also has the same spring rate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Chris, a few things or questions.
The XX Blackbird has a spring rate of 16kg if I'm not mistaken and is 317mm long. The Vtec shock is 315-317mm so if you use a 307mm shock you will need to shim it at least 8mm for use on the Vtec and the 5th gen shock is 324mm long so using this 919 shock(307mm?) would require a 17mm shim not 7mm. All VFR800's run a 15.3kg spring.
You are right on the Blackbird shock, it should bolt into the Vtec and would offer a slightly stiffer spring rate of 16kg (898lbs). I ran a XX shock on my 00 with a 1/4" spacer.

[jeremy556]

What to do?

OK, I have to replace my shock now. Rebuild/revalve/respring runs $400 and will leave me with no shock for over a week on my primary transportation.

WP 4014 Fusion with remote res and preload is $850. Ohlins 46HRCS is similar, but not sure if it will fit vtec. Ohlins 46DRS is $650 and it fits VTEC.

Which one should I get? Right now, I am slow, and ride in Florida. I should be moving to North GA in the next couple of months so will have good roads and should get better. I plan on doing some track days, but not racing. I know little about suspension other than that my shock sucks.

[v4bluey]

I thought this might be the best place to post this.

A question or two for you knowledgeable people.

I am thinking of trying an F4i rear shock on my vtec. My weight and height are 145lb. and 5'6 1/2" so as you see I am smallish.
I have read here the F4i shock (at 12") is 3/8" or 10mm shorter than the Vtec at (12 3/8")and needs to be shimmed, no problem as I would prefer the bike lowered a bit.

The race tech site calculator tells me my rear spring for street use should be 13.63kg/mm on the F4i (14.33kg/mm for a vtec). This so happens to be near the F4i spring weight which is 14.2kg/mm.

1. Do you think it will be ok or would the extra weight of the vtec be a problem or are there some other possible problems I am unaware of?
Don't do much two up riding.

2. Can you twist the shock 180 degrees so the rebound adjuster and compression canister outlet are on the same side of the shock?

Thanks this site is a handy place.

This post has been edited by v4bluey: 01 January 2008 - 10:44 PM

[BaileyRock]

v4bluey, on Jan 1 2008, 09:24 PM, said:

I am thinking of trying an F4i rear shock on my vtec. My weight and height are 145lb. and 5'6 1/2" so as you see I am smallish.
I have read here the F4i shock (at 12") is 3/8" or 10mm shorter than the Vtec at (12 3/8")and needs to be shimmed, no problem as I would prefer the bike lowered a bit.

As long as you drop the front around the same amount this will be fine!

The race tech site calculator tells me my rear spring for street use should be 13.63kg/mm on the F4i (14.33kg/mm for a vtec). This so happens to be near the F4i spring weight which is 14.2kg/mm.

I would just run the stock F4i spring (very close to your needs)and save the money and hassle as most bikes are built for people like you.


1. Do you think it will be ok or would the extra weight of the vtec be a problem or are there some other possible problems I am unaware of?
Don't do much two up riding.

No worries IMO!

2. Can you twist the shock 180 degrees so the rebound adjuster and compression canister outlet are on the same side of the shock?

yes, I'm pretty you can just spin it.

Thanks this site is a handy place.

[v4bluey]

Baileyrock, on Jan 2 2008, 11:27 AM, said:

v4bluey, on Jan 1 2008, 09:24 PM, said:

I am thinking of trying an F4i rear shock on my vtec. My weight and height are 145lb. and 5'6 1/2" so as you see I am smallish.
I have read here the F4i shock (at 12") is 3/8" or 10mm shorter than the Vtec at (12 3/8")and needs to be shimmed, no problem as I would prefer the bike lowered a bit.

As long as you drop the front around the same amount this will be fine!

The race tech site calculator tells me my rear spring for street use should be 13.63kg/mm on the F4i (14.33kg/mm for a vtec). This so happens to be near the F4i spring weight which is 14.2kg/mm.

I would just run the stock F4i spring (very close to your needs)and save the money and hassle as most bikes are built for people like you.


1. Do you think it will be ok or would the extra weight of the vtec be a problem or are there some other possible problems I am unaware of?
Don't do much two up riding.

No worries IMO!

2. Can you twist the shock 180 degrees so the rebound adjuster and compression canister outlet are on the same side of the shock?

yes, I'm pretty you can just spin it.

Thanks this site is a handy place.

Thanks for the info Baileyrock.

[v4bluey]

Sorry to be a pain Guys, Another question.

How do you adjust spring preload? I'm pretty sure by all the pic's i have seen that the standard Vtec tool wouldn't work!

Thanks in advance.

[BaileyRock]

v4bluey, on Jan 4 2008, 08:38 AM, said:

Sorry to be a pain Guys, Another question.

How do you adjust spring preload? I'm pretty sure by all the pic's i have seen that the standard Vtec tool wouldn't work!

Thanks in advance.

The F4i shock does Not have ideal pre-load adjuster location on the Vtec, but it's doing able as per FotoMoto. You would need a different adjuster, but you really only have to set it once(Sag) if you don't go back & forth from solo to 2-up or loaded touring. :P

[turtlecreek]

i bought a spanner of ebay, set it once and never touched again as BR said.

[v4bluey]

Quote

The F4i shock does Not have ideal pre-load adjuster location on the Vtec, but it's doing able as per FotoMoto. You would need a different adjuster, but you really only have to set it once(Sag) if you don't go back & forth from solo to 2-up or loaded touring. :P

BR what is the ForoMoto reference about?

[v4bluey]

turtlecreek, on Jan 4 2008, 09:40 AM, said:

i bought a spanner of ebay, set it once and never touched again as BR said.

Turtle, What i s this spanner like? I'm thinking I might need one as I do the pillion thing sometimes.

[turtlecreek]

v4bluey, on Jan 4 2008, 04:22 PM, said:

turtlecreek, on Jan 4 2008, 09:40 AM, said:

i bought a spanner of ebay, set it once and never touched again as BR said.

Turtle, What i s this spanner like? I'm thinking I might need one as I do the pillion thing sometimes.

here is the one i purchased:

http://pitposse.stor...net/psprsp.html

[BaileyRock]

v4bluey, on Jan 4 2008, 04:19 PM, said:

Quote

The F4i shock does Not have ideal pre-load adjuster location on the Vtec, but it's doing able as per FotoMoto. You would need a different adjuster, but you really only have to set it once(Sag) if you don't go back & forth from solo to 2-up or loaded touring. :P

BR what is the ForoMoto reference about?

Sorry, Doug aka Foto Moto was the first to install both a F4i shock and 98-99 Catless headers on a Vtec(after I told him how of course) :P

[FotoMoto]

Baileyrock, on Jan 4 2008, 06:30 PM, said:

Sorry, Doug aka Foto Moto was the first to install both a F4i shock and 98-99 Catless headers on a Vtec(after I told him how of course) :P

NEVER trust anything Baileyrock types after, oh say, 2:30 in the afteroon.