Topic: 350F rear shocks

[mj_honda]

I did a search and couldn't find an answer.

I have a 72' 350F with stock rear shocks. They are currently set to the number III position which is the highest setting. This is supposably the setting for carrying the most weight.

I am 6'0" and about 215lbs. The bike rides good with the shocks set in this position. Right now I don't have the tool to adjust them.

What is the difference between the settings? With my weight should this be a good place to keep them? Does the different settings make a difference at higher speeds and fuel economy?

[mattcb350f]

I remember reading in my owners manual that the lowest setting is for general use and you move to the highest for max load. Since max load is something like 300 pounds, you would probably want it on the 2nd or 3rd setting.

I weigh 190 lbs and have it on the lowest setting and It's a little soft.

So I say, if the bike rides good keep them there. But you might find that another setting works for you so why not experiment a little.

All I use to turn my adjusters is a large set of adjustable pliers. Just put a rag around the adjuster to protect the finish first.

I have no idea if the settings affect fuel economy but they must affect handling..... somehow I'm not experienced enough to know how the adjustment affects handling etc. I just started riding 

 Matt.

[strangedaze39]

You probably want to put your bike on a center stand or jack first to take some of the weight off the springs before you adjust it.

If anyone can help I had a similar question about the stock shocks but opposite. I weigh as much as a feather and even with the stock shocks sitting on the lowest setting I still feel like I don't have enough force (and weight) being put down on the rear wheel while riding. I was thinking about grabbing some new after market shocks.

You think that would help at all?
Is there something I should do to my stock shocks to fix this? (maybe trim(not my fav. option) or somehow soften them? Not sure)

Thanks for your time 

[mlinder]

Just put the bike on the centerstand, grab the notch thing with both hands, lift up a bit, and turn. Don't need a tool, especially on these old flimsy things.

[fixahonda]

The way you set up sport bikes is to have around 35mm of sag from fully extended. That would mean up on the centerstand to when you are on the bike, full tank, wearing all of your gear the shocks should sag that amount. The same with the forks (which you can make spacers for). This way, you are a bit less than half of the average suspension travel with a normal load.

[strangedaze39]

Anyone have any ideas?
Sorry to bump, thought it might be better then starting a new thread.

You probably want to put your bike on a center stand or jack first to take some of the weight off the springs before you adjust it.

If anyone can help I had a similar question about the stock shocks but opposite. I weigh as much as a feather and even with the stock shocks sitting on the lowest setting I still feel like I don't have enough force (and weight) being put down on the rear wheel while riding. I was thinking about grabbing some new after market shocks.

You think that would help at all?
Is there something I should do to my stock shocks to fix this? (maybe trim(not my fav. option) or somehow soften them? Not sure)

Thanks for your time 

[mlinder]

The 350 shocks are VERY soft.
I'd be surprised if they weren't soft enough at the lowest setting.
Do a test. Bounce up and down on the seat, hard. Do they bottom out?

[snarferer]

I've done extended testing on all three settings on my 350F.  I'm a bigger (read fatter) guy and weigh in at around 250.  I started with the softest setting because it was my first bike and I figured leave it where its set.  I found that it was like sitting on a trampoline.  Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy all over the place.  I have the original tool kit, I think its called a spanner wrench?  It looks a little like a question mark with a hooky thing on the end, makes it way easy to adjust.  So I immediately bumped it up to the middle setting and it was a lot better, but still a little springy, but nice and soft on my bum.  Then onto the firmest, which feels the best when I'm going through twisties, but after 30-45 mins on the sweet wobbly broken pavemented pa highways my rear starts to get a little sore.  So for commuting or cruisisng around I leave it on the firmest, if I decide to go on a longer ride, I put it on the middle.   

[strangedaze39]

Hm, I did try it out and I can bounce the entire bike up in down quite a bit if I try. Maybe it would help to have stiffer shocks that are lower? My main problem is I would rather have more force on the rear wheel and when riding push the bike down to the level if someone weighing 50 more pounds would. Unless it's just a bad mix between my weight and the bikes weight and can't really be fixed. Any ideas?

Also thanks for the reply snarferer an mlinder, I appreciate it.

SD