Shocks

[91cb-1]

I have been looking for a new shock for my bike, so far all i've been able to find is the Hagon! this is a good shock i know, wth the added advantage of rebound adjustment but i know they're not the best, i got in touch with White Power but they don't make a shock for the CB-1 any other types out there that would suit my bike, forgetting the cbr 900 shock! i want something reliable with something more than just preload! any suggestions would be grreat!

[uglygit]

I have been looking into shock options myself recently, Many suspension companies will build a shock for  the cb1 ohlins list a shock for it, I belive fox(are they still going) and penske also do one. Pretty much any company will custom make you one too.

most people when using the cbr shock run into problems and swap the stock cb1 spring onto it but this leaves the damping way off (would still probably feel better than 20 yr old cb1 unit with no gas left in it but still),

I have been toying with the idea of using a honda hornet 900 shock as a platform for a better shock rather than a cbr unit purely because it has less of a stroke difference and is linkless like the cb-1 so will have more compatible damping characteristics,

the hornet has a spring that is 1" shorter than the cb1 shock and is a little softer (no where neer as soft as a blade spring)  and is straight rate so will need changing for hard use but probably be fine for daily driving,

I am going purely by measurements of total eye to length here I can't find them just now but I belive it was 45mm or so, pictures of the two shocks (cb1 and hornet) show a very similar style lower mount with the hornets being much shorter,

The difference in length could be made up by fitting the lower cast section of the cb-1 shock to the hornet shock (I am guessing that the shafts are the same dia) from my best guestimations this may even leave the hybrid shock a little longer than the stock cb1 unit raising the rear of the bike.


Unfortunatly although new aftermarket shock springs can be had fairly cheap, the hornet 900 shock seems to fetch decent money on ebay £75-£100,
Which would make this an expensive experiment unless you could get ahold of a worn out/leaking hornet shock for pennies would be nice to have a spare 1 shock too i guess.

[ptlcb1]

91cb-1,
     What type of riding do you do? 

[91cb-1]

Just commuting and touring, want to get it out on the track next summer though. i went ahead and got a hagon it's been great so far cost a bit but well worth it

[gymix]

Penske still makes a shock (8983) that they will fit for the CB-1. I just bought one for mine. I payed $800.00 through a dealer. Actually, I've heard Penske is having a sale on shocks right now.

[91cb-1]

Fcuck that seems very expensive for a shock what're you using it for? i spent 300 euro on mine and thought that was expensive

[ptlcb1]

If I had to rank shocks, I would say number 1 would be an Ohlins, and number 2 would be Penske.  Expensive, yes, but they are that good.

[gymix]

Honestly, I hardly ever ride the CB-1 but sometimes I bring it along with the racebikes for a trackday. Yeah, $800 is a lot of money, but when I have a bike on the track, I want it to be right...or not at all. The stock shock was ok for the street but that's about it.  Ohlins are pretty shocks and work great if you can get them dialed in but I have had better luck with penske customer service - let alone, the shocks themselves are more user friendly

[Drewski]

In the UK, Maxton are the best bet and offer good after sales service. New kid on the block are YSS - from Thailand, (don't let that put you off) - a good quality shock for the price. Penskes and Ohlins are way out of my price range, (like most CB-1ers in the UK). The Fireblade shock mod is a vast improvement on the standard CB-1 shock and one can be picked up and serviced relatively cheaply.

[ptlcb1]

I agree with Drew.  The Fireblade, CBR900RR here in the States (1993-1995), shock is a great upgrade over the stock CB-1 shock, and for very little money.  I found mine for $40, then had a suspension shop set it up for me.  First time out on the track with the new shock, I dropped 1 full second off my previous personal best!  In time, I will buy a Penske, because I am that serious about my racing/track riding.  If I only rode my 1 on the street, I would go with a 900RR shock set up for my weight.  There is no way I would spend $800 for a shock, if I only rode on the street.   

[SpringMountain]

I'm running a "Works Performance" rear shock, but it's getting really old by now, will have it recharged soon. My little Honda handles very well. Also have "progressive suspension" springs in the forks. The motorcycle runs on rails.

[Kai Ju]

I'm running a '93 CBR900RR ( Fireblade) shock on my bike.
It's 4mm longer eye to eye (320mm vs. 316mm) than the stock shock which translates to 14mm more rideheight in the back.

There is currently a '93 Fox Twin Clicker on e-bay for $499 buy it now, that I've been keeping an eye on but can't afford.
Here is the item number:
150299359702
Here is the link to the listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150299359702&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_750

Kai Ju

[vtwinhk]

a friend of mine using blackbird shock. He sail it's ok. Your have any idea?

[SpringMountain]

A Blackbird is an 1100cc motorcycle. I read that they last up to 20,000 miles. Can you get it for cheap? I suppose if you got it you could set it side by side with the stock shock for comparison. Then there's the sag setup. I use a specially built Works Performance brand with an remote reservoir. Let us know what you find out.

[cb1guy]

Howdy all,

To you guys running aftermarket shocks, what spring rates and sage numbers are you running for what rider weights? None of the shock makers have the correct numbers (due to the odd geometry of the shock linkage) and I am trying to get mine dialed in. I have everything from 850 to 1200, but the 900 seems really soft and the numbers never come in. I've gone all the way up to 1150 and the numbers still don't come in (8mm bike sag, 30mm rider sag). The ride with the 1150 is a bit harsh, even with no compression damping, so I know it is lower than 1150 and above 850!

I'm 158lbs w/no gear, ~180 with full gear.

Thanks,

b