80 CBX SHOCKS

broook · Post by **broook** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:43 am

Mike B gave me two sets of 1100f shocks and they made a huge difference to my 80. Unfortunatly they eventually started to leak at the seal

but up untill then they made the bike a lot easier to handle on our Newfoundland roads.

Rick Pope · Post by **Rick Pope** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:26 pm

I believe 900F shocks are pretty much the same as 1100F shocks, with the exception of location of the top adjuster. You adjust the 900F shocks as you do the '80 CBX shocks rather than just twisting the top ring. They work quite well and are easy to find.

That said, I prefer the Progressives of Marzocchis.

Doesn't FVQ mean Fades Very Quickly?

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:39 pm

Fading is when the oil in the shock gases off. The external reservoir shocks do better but then it depends on their duty cycle. For normal street riding, internal oil shocks fare well. Koni ( now Ikon) are internal & are excellent for this duty.....

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:56 pm

Rick Pope wrote:I believe 900F shocks are pretty much the same as 1100F shocks, ?

Don't think so, Rick. The 1100F shocks have a reservoir, the 900F shocks do not, I believe. The CB1100R shocks are another step up from the 1100F ones, only drawback there is, they have bright red springs

Mike Barone #123 · Post by **Mike Barone #123** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:28 pm

Don #6141 wrote:Excellent thread!

I have the 1100F shocks on my '79 and I've been playing with them (largely not knowing exactly what I was doing) so this is a real education for me. I'm printing and pasting these pages into my shop manual

Thanks to both of you

Don

Hi Don/All

I think sometimes we all over think things like this.......the CBX is not that sensitive related to settings for most riders in most conditions.

There is only so much you can setting up a stock/near stock CBX or even an 1100f equipped CBX. 1100f is a massive step forward and in some areas most do not consider. Hopefully we can talk about this at Luray.

Now if you are going to ride the CBX the way it was intended by Honda when it was in production every so often ...say 80-85% of what is possible .......this changes everything.

Basically.....the early model stock suspension components are at best "marginal" for a bike with the weight and performance of a CBX in my view and I have to say replacing this equipment with items off lighter and slower period Hondas with "at best" equally "marginal" suspension components ....this might not be the best path....if you are going to "ride the ride" every so often.

If you ride hard, carry alot of personal weight or both then the 35mm front forks and stock rear shock have to go........that was the way it was when the X was new/sorta new.........and I dont see much changing in this regard 30 years later.

There are always exceptions........

Mike

Mike Barone #123 · Post by **Mike Barone #123** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:40 pm

[quote="Rick Pope"]I believe 900F shocks are pretty much the same as 1100F shocks, with the exception of location of the top adjuster. You adjust the 900F shocks as you do the '80 CBX shocks rather than just twisting the top ring. They work quite well and are easy to find.
quote]

Hummmmmmmmmmm....I dont know the design and material specs for 1100f or 900f and CBX OEM shocks but I do know the results ......the 1100f shocks were a clear upgrade in all respects. There are always exceptions........

Now if you want to spend $800 or $1000+..........there are plenty of shocks to buy.

Rick Pope · Post by **Rick Pope** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:51 pm

I have two sets of 900F shocks, external resevoirs, but the damping setting is as described by Larry for the '80 shocks. Otherwise, they look exactly like 1100F, and are the same dimensions. I would still be using them but I finally wore them out and blew the seals in one set on Prince Edward Island back in '01.

I currently have shocks recommended and sold by CBXman. Can't remember which brand at the moment, but they work great and were fairly cheap.

I also have two sets of Marzocchi shocks. Both need new seals also, but when they are fresh, they are terrific. Bought both sets used, so I really can't say how long they last before they need a rebuild. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting rebuild kits. Don't bother suggesting Cosmopolitan Motors. I gave up on them a long time ago.

Can you tell, I never throw anything away? What sane person would be sitting on 5 extra sets of shocks? But I also have 3 extra sets of exhausts and 4 Corbin seats.........

Don #6141 · Post by **Don #6141** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:44 pm

Mike Barone #123 wrote:There is only so much you can setting up a stock/near stock CBX or even an 1100f equipped CBX. 1100f is a massive step forward and in some areas most do not consider. Hopefully we can talk about this at Luray

Yes, I'm very happy with all the changes Dave made to my 'new' CBX - It's light years ahead of my old one which was nearly stock . . . . the only suspension difference was a set of adjustable Koni shocks. 39m forks are just about a necessity on any X IMO - I think they made the biggest difference . . . . but I really like my 140 tire too ;)

I've only ridden one '79 with the factory shocks on it, but they were recognized as a liability even before the bike went into production, weren't they? I'm very happy with the 1100F shocks and about my only complaint is the extreme difficulty with adjusting the spring preload on them. Between the rear footpeg, my Pipemasters, the nice chrome 1100F chainguard and the shock reservoir it is nearly impossible to get the shock adjusting tool that came with the bike in there to change the preload. I bought another, slightly different one but it works no better. I'm either going to have to design and build me something completely from scratch or modify a pair of waterpump pliers lined with rubber pads so I can just grab them anywhere and get the job done. Hopefully by Luray I'll have something worked out . . . . or I'll spend an hour readjusting things every time I want to go for a two up ride :eek:

Don

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:00 am

These have to be the closest thing to bike porn yet.....

Strangely, they say to mount them with the reservoirs forward & on a CBX you have to cut off the helmet lock for clearance.....

steve murdoch icoa #5322 · Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:04 pm

Why those look just like the Vipex shocks i bought. Not!
Bike porn is right, Larry.
Maybe that is for you guys that drive on the other side of the road.

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:45 pm

steve murdoch icoa #5322 wrote:Why those look just like the Vipex shocks i bought. Not!
Bike porn is right, Larry.
Maybe that is for you guys that drive on the other side of the road.

I spose it does make sense having the reservoirs forward, in the wind & not shaded by the shock...

Rick Pope · Post by **Rick Pope** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:52 pm

Oh my!!! Those are nice. They look at least $200 better than anything else, even if they perfomed the same.

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:03 am

Rick Pope wrote:Oh my!!! Those are nice. They look at least $200 better than anything else, even if they perfomed the same.

Yup, A spring with bling...