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Recently I've had several e-mails asking about shock-related handling issues, so I thought I'd add a couple of things to my other post(s?).
How to tell if your shocks are worn out: go through a sweeping turn, like a freeway onramp, at about 45 MPH and see if you tend to wander about the line you want. Then, do the same trip again, but increasing the throttle as you go (try to avoid 100 MPH). If you can hold the line better while slowly accelerating, the rear shocks have insufficient damping, whether from wear or from the damping setting (or oil). If the line declines while accelerating (i.e., you "slide" toward the inside of the turn) and your tires are good, then the front shocks are overdamping (aka "drooping" in height) and either need air assist, lighter oil, new springs or some combination of these three items.
Honda seemed undecided about trail on the 750 and did not give it enough, at least on the "K" models, for a self-steering ride. Stock trail was 3.75", while 4.00" works much better above 35 MPH. I guess they couldn't decide whether America was going to take the 750 to the Steak-n-Shake or across the country, and settled somewhere in between quickness and cruise stability. For this reason, when you replace rear shocks, shorter ones will improve high-speed handling while longer ones will make quicker steering at low speeds and more twitchy-ness at speeds over 45 MPH. Stock length was 13.0" on the K0-K1 and 13.125" on the K2-K4 bikes that I measured. I like 12.75" and am currently looking for a pair of these, as mine are goners.
If you tour heavy a lot, use longer shocks, like 13.125", with 120 lb springs. Set damping high with heavy loads. If you cafe', try to get the damping to be the same front and rear, no easy trick, and go for the 3.75" trail. If you dragrace or stoplite race or ride fast, lower the rear a little, because the increased trail will help keep you straight when shifting hard.
The above is an old Hondaman post. My rear shocks are aftermarket and 13.5". With different tires and these shocks does anyone know an actual way to measure trail? I know what it is by a drawing but do not know how to measure an actual bike. Does anyone believe that 13.5" is too long for a 750K2? Thanks Dan
