Topic: Ohlins shocks for CB750 or Fox Podium RC1

[Johnny340]

I have searched about shock upgrades but don’t see much about Ohlins. Does anyone use them?
Is there a recommendation for a good shock that is longer than stock (14”-14.5”) and even adjustable in length?
Are the Progressive brand still considered one of the best today? (Most threads are fairly old)


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[MRieck]

YSS makes a nice shock that you can get with compression, rebound, ride height and preload adjustments. Wilbers make very nice shocks too.

[innovativems]

I’m really happy with my race tech g3’s


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[calj737]

YSS makes a nice shock that you can get with compression, rebound, ride height and preload adjustments. Wilbers make very nice shocks too.

I recently thought I saw that YSS had discontinued their sales in the USA. Shame, they offered some very nice product. But I am a huge fan of Wilbers anyway 

https://www.wilbers-shop.de/index.php?cl=alist&cnid=3370ba986c1e86482ec265fa77eaea7f&manufacturer=amu19a4f1346a0757072421f9a2d3c9c&year=1974&catname=3370ba986c1e86482ec265fa77eaea7f

[Johnny340]

Was talking to Racetech. Those Wilbers look nice too. I'm thinking I'd like adjustable length since I don't really know how long I need over stock.  +150Euros for that!  What about the need for other adjustments for street use?  I'm thinking a custom built shock should only really need adjustable rebound??...but damn those piggybacks look cool!
Other comments are welcome.  I'd like to order something today.

[calj737]

I will say that having adjustable damping on the fly is really, really nice. You can tune the shock as you go for different road surfaces, passenger weight, etc.

I put a lot of miles on my regular ride and it has their remote adjuster and it’s spring for riding weight. I spent a bit of time tuning the slow and high speed compression. Now, I crank the knob + or - depending upon riding condition to get a consistent ride (the low and high speed remains proportional). Highway, I go less, backroads at more aggressive speeds, I tighten her up. Priceless.

The length I would base off your trail objective then go with a calculated weight spring setup. Best $ I’ve ever spent on improving the performance of a bike.

My opinions...

[Johnny340]

I value your opinions thx.
I went for Fox Podium RC1 with adjustable preload. compression and rebound.   

[calj737]

I value your opinions thx.
I went for Fox Podium RC1 with adjustable preload. compression and rebound.   

I really hate to say it, but, you will likely encounter fitment and clearance issues with them. The shock body is ever so slightly wide and you can run into chain or tire contact. I spent all day with Devin riding, and was in his shop last week as he was installing new Ohlins on a bike. He’s now a dealer for them because of fitment issues with several Fox applications, and other business issues.

I hope yours work out really well because they are a very good shock actually. 

[Johnny340]

I'll know soon.  I think I may have to remove my offset sprockets.  Was he running regular sprockets with a 160 tire and those shocks?

[calj737]

Offset sprockets and others have used them with standard sprockets. The issue appears to be insufficient offset in the clevis versus the body diameter.

[Johnny340]

Offset sprockets and others have used them with standard sprockets. The issue appears to be insufficient offset in the clevis versus the body diameter.

You were right Cal. Again.
The 10mm spacer on the rear sprocket made the chain hit the shock body. Without that spacer and a non offset counter sprocket, the chain hits the tire (160). I am reducing the rear spacer to 5mm and leaving the offset counter sprocket on. Interestingly the 'offset' counter sprocket has a larger contact with the main shaft but still fastens the same way... By pulling outward towards the lockring groove. So the offset sprocket also has a 2-3mm overhang from this groove which is the only actual difference from stock. (the extra material on the engine side does not actually change the sprocket position.) This would explain the wear on the inside of my '3mm' offset counter sprocket when running the 10mm rear spacer. Anyway, I think this new combo should solve my chain alignment 'problem' as well as have the chain clear the shock and the tire. I'll let you know. Pretty awesome looking shocks so I hope this makes them fit!

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[Johnny340]

Ok so I have them fitting now by machining down the Cognito moto sprocket spacer 5mm and using their non offset 520 counter sprocket. The stance is way better and I have more ground clearance too. I haven't had much time on it yet but so far they feel much improved but maybe a little stiff.
Thanks for your help Cal and everyone here!

Here's a pic.
(btw I didn't think the megaphone exhaust was any better so I'm back to Carpy's open header.)


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[calj737]

I haven't had much time on it yet but so far they feel much improved but maybe a little stiff.

Stiff in not traveling enough, or rebounding too quickly? You should have low and high speed compression adjustments on them. Its always worth spending a bit of time dialing in shocks to your weight and riding style/terrain.

[Johnny340]

I haven't had much time on it yet but so far they feel much improved but maybe a little stiff.

Stiff in not traveling enough, or rebounding too quickly? You should have low and high speed compression adjustments on them. Its always worth spending a bit of time dialing in shocks to your weight and riding style/terrain.

Stiff as in not traveling enough. I backed off the preload and have the compression adjusters full soft. I'm thinking the springs may be too stiff for this bike and me at 1855 lbs since there is almost no sag when I sit on it. I did find that I needed collars on the outside of the upper shock mounts or it would bind against the frame when tightened. It's free to move now though.

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[Johnny340]

*185 pounds.. *

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[Ellz10]

Ok so I have them fitting now by machining down the Cognito moto sprocket spacer 5mm and using their non offset 520 counter sprocket. The stance is way better and I have more ground clearance too. I haven't had much time on it yet but so far they feel much improved but maybe a little stiff.
Thanks for your help Cal and everyone here!

Here's a pic.
(btw I didn't think the megaphone exhaust was any better so I'm back to Carpy's open header.)


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Where did you source that swingarm?

[calj737]

It’s a stock 750 swing arm painted silver instead of black.

[Johnny340]

Yes, it is stock with some bracing I welded on to look cool and undo all the weight savings mods.  Then I powder coated it silver to stand out.  New bushings installed as well.

[Johnny340]

Btw, I had the shocks revalved and they are much better but still too stiff overall.  I haven't been able to source lighter springs which is really what I need.

[calj737]

FunJimmy (old member here) had the same issue. He had to source springs from a different vendor than Fox. I think he went with RaceTech springs.

[Johnny340]

I looked at Racetech but could find anything that would fit.

[Shtonecb500]

https://cognitomoto.com/collections/suspension/products/ohlins-honda-emulsion-shocks-364mm-14-3?variant=9016070865011

https://cognitomoto.com/collections/suspension/products/ohlins-honda-street-line-shocks?variant=9015169646707

$829

$680

[Ellz10]

Has anyone ever used TEC shocks?

https://www.tecbikepartsusa.com/HONDA_CB750F_CB750K_TEC_Alloy_Remote_Reservoir_S_p/j-sh-21-h2a.htm

[calj737]

Has anyone ever used TEC shocks?

https://www.tecbikepartsusa.com/HONDA_CB750F_CB750K_TEC_Alloy_Remote_Reservoir_S_p/j-sh-21-h2a.htm

You get what you pay for. $149 for possibly the most important feature for handling, braking and safety should not be a bargain hunted.

[Ellz10]

Has anyone ever used TEC shocks?

https://www.tecbikepartsusa.com/HONDA_CB750F_CB750K_TEC_Alloy_Remote_Reservoir_S_p/j-sh-21-h2a.htm

You get what you pay for. $149 for possibly the most important feature for handling, braking and safety should not be a bargain hunted.

That's where my mind was at initially but I know sometimes you can get a good deal for quality product, so that's why I was seeing if anyone had any experience with them. I personally ended up just getting YSS RG Topline Customs this afternoon. I had to go back and forth with one of their reps to be able to make sure he understood that I needed a clevis bottom. I spent WAY, and I mean WAYYY, more money than I ever intended or would've liked to, but as you said "possibly the most important feature..." so at the end of the day I can rest assured I have one of the better shocks for this bike.