Suspension Upgrades

[Syscrush]

Just for comparison, Dan Kyle racing will sell you a fully adjustable set of Öhlins for $1250.00, setup for your weight and riding style, then all you will need to do is set the sag on your CBX after they are installed, takes two peole about a half hour to do.

That price is essentially the same as the YSS + revalve. What adjustments does the Ohlins have? Preload, rebound, and compression? Does it have ride height?

[Jeff Bennetts]

Just for comparison, Dan Kyle racing will sell you a fully adjustable set of Öhlins for $1250.00, setup for your weight and riding style, then all you will need to do is set the sag on your CBX after they are installed, takes two peole about a half hour to do.

That price is essentially the same as the YSS + revalve. What adjustments does the Ohlins have? Preload, rebound, and compression? Does it have ride height?

Yes.

And don't forget you're still going to have to set the sag on your bike after you get them on, the bike isn't going to be properly set up suspension wise until the front and rear are in harmony with each other!

[Syscrush]

And don't forget you're still going to have to set the sag on your bike after you get them on, the bike isn't going to be properly set up suspension wise until the front and rear are in harmony with each other!

Yup. That's part of why I was so intent on getting a fork cap solution that included external preload adjustment.

[Jeff Bennetts]

And don't forget you're still going to have to set the sag on your bike after you get them on, the bike isn't going to be properly set up suspension wise until the front and rear are in harmony with each other!

Yup. That's part of why I was so intent on getting a fork cap solution that included external preload adjustment.

Why did you go with YSS shocks if they needed all that work to get them right when you could of had the Öhlins correct right out of the box for the same price?

What was the outcome of the Harley fork cap fitting the 81/82 CBX fork tube?

[Syscrush]

Why did you go with YSS shocks if they needed all that work to get them right when you could of had the Öhlins correct right out of the box for the same price?

Three reasons:

1. I wasn't aware of the option for fully adjustable Ohlins. Their catalog doesn't list a fitment for that kind of shock for the CBX.

2. Rick told me that the construction quality on the YSS shocks was comparable to the Ohlins, but valving might be off. He offered to put them on the dyno for free - if they were good, they'd come out ahead of the Ohlins for value.

3. I really wanted black. I want the shocks to match the forks. I also don't want the gold O's clashing with or detracting from my gold boomerang wheels.

What was the outcome of the Harley fork cap fitting the 81/82 CBX fork tube?

Not clear yet, as the forks are still apart for new tubes and powder coating on the lowers. I'll post up when they can confirm the thread.

[Jeff Bennetts]

"

Why did you go with YSS shocks if they needed all that work to get them right when you could of had the Öhlins correct right out of the box for the same price?

Three reasons:
1. I wasn't aware of the option for fully adjustable Ohlins. Their catalog doesn't list a fitment for that kind of shock for the CBX.

2. Rick told me that the construction quality on the YSS shocks was comparable to the Ohlins, but valving might be off. He offered to put them on the dyno for free - if they were good, they'd come out ahead of the Ohlins for value.

3. I really wanted black. I want the shocks to match the forks. I also don't want the gold O's clashing with or detracting from my gold boomerang wheels.

1. Model # HO146, spring part # 3605 for my weight, different for different weight riders.

2. ? Not sure about that, nice shock but not in the class of an Öhlins.

3. The springs come in either Öhlins yellow or Black, the reservoir can be converted to whatever color you desire, thin slip over sleeves are available or some guys have a lazier cut decal made with whatever color, graphic or lettering they can think up.

I know it's easy to get excited about a build but taking your time and consulting forums and resources can give you more options and save you money down the line.

Let us know how the fork tube cap works out!

[NobleHops]

"

Why did you go with YSS shocks if they needed all that work to get them right when you could of had the Öhlins correct right out of the box for the same price?

Three reasons:
1. I wasn't aware of the option for fully adjustable Ohlins. Their catalog doesn't list a fitment for that kind of shock for the CBX.

2. Rick told me that the construction quality on the YSS shocks was comparable to the Ohlins, but valving might be off. He offered to put them on the dyno for free - if they were good, they'd come out ahead of the Ohlins for value.

3. I really wanted black. I want the shocks to match the forks. I also don't want the gold O's clashing with or detracting from my gold boomerang wheels.

1. Model # HO146, spring part # 3605 for my weight, different for different weight riders.

2. ? Not sure about that, nice shock but not in the class of an Öhlins.

3. The springs come in either Öhlins yellow or Black, the reservoir can be converted to whatever color you desire, thin slip over sleeves are available or some guys have a lazier cut decal made with whatever color, graphic or lettering they can think up.

I know it's easy to get excited about a build but taking your time and consulting forums and resources can give you more options and save you money down the line.

Let us know how the fork tube cap works out!

Jeez Jeff, all due respect but aren't you kind-of raining on Phil's parade here? He's breaking ground on some cool stuff and sharing what he learns, and he's obviously pretty psyched about his build. Lighten up a little willya?

[Jeff Bennetts]

"

Why did you go with YSS shocks if they needed all that work to get them right when you could of had the Öhlins correct right out of the box for the same price?

Three reasons:
1. I wasn't aware of the option for fully adjustable Ohlins. Their catalog doesn't list a fitment for that kind of shock for the CBX.

2. Rick told me that the construction quality on the YSS shocks was comparable to the Ohlins, but valving might be off. He offered to put them on the dyno for free - if they were good, they'd come out ahead of the Ohlins for value.

3. I really wanted black. I want the shocks to match the forks. I also don't want the gold O's clashing with or detracting from my gold boomerang wheels.

1. Model # HO146, spring part # 3605 for my weight, different for different weight riders.

2. ? Not sure about that, nice shock but not in the class of an Öhlins.

3. The springs come in either Öhlins yellow or Black, the reservoir can be converted to whatever color you desire, thin slip over sleeves are available or some guys have a lazier cut decal made with whatever color, graphic or lettering they can think up.

I know it's easy to get excited about a build but taking your time and consulting forums and resources can give you more options and save you money down the line.

Let us know how the fork tube cap works out!

Jeez Jeff, all due respect but aren't you kind-of raining on Phil's parade here? He's breaking ground on some cool stuff and sharing what he learns, and he's obviously pretty psyched about his build. Lighten up a little willya?

Not trying to rain on anything Nils, just trying to fill Phil in on a model of Öhlins that he wasn't aware of and could have been an alternative to the YSS for the same money.

I hope Phil hasn't taken offense, we have exchanged a few PM's about his build, maybe I should have sent him the info via PM but I thought the Öhlins info was worth making public.

We okay Phil?

[Syscrush]

Not trying to rain on anything Nils, just trying to fill Phil in on a model of Öhlins that he wasn't aware of and could have been an alternative to the YSS for the same money.

I hope Phil hasn't taken offense, we have exchanged a few PM's about his build, maybe I should have sent him the info via PM but I thought the Öhlins info was worth making public.

We okay Phil?

We're definitely OK - no offense taken. The pointer to the HO 146 is part of what I was looking for when I started this thread. Looks like a very nice shock, and this is very valuable information. Ohlins lists it for the CB900, they only list the HO 140 for the CBX, and that's a lower-spec shock. None of the vendors I talked to suggested it, and even now searching this forum and the web in general, this thread is the only place I'm seeing that fitment. The first page of this thread will be updated with a pointer to that shock.

Part of why I started this thread was to solicit exactly this kind of info, and also to share the results of my research. If I had known that the 146 can be made to work with the CBX, and that the YSS would need that much work to be usable, I probably would have gone that way. But despite my best efforts I didn't know that stuff and I have no regrets - I think that between these shocks and the AK-20's in 39mm forks, the bike is going to look and work the way I want.

[Syscrush]

Also, Nils - thanks very much for the consideration!

[Syscrush]

The goal is to have the bike all ready by the end of Feb - there's usually at least a couple of days of decent riding weather in Mar. But even if it takes until the start of Apr I won't miss out on much. If we get everything done in Jan, I'm gonna have a terrible time keeping my cool through Feb. :)

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

[Jeff Bennetts]

Not trying to rain on anything Nils, just trying to fill Phil in on a model of Öhlins that he wasn't aware of and could have been an alternative to the YSS for the same money.

I hope Phil hasn't taken offense, we have exchanged a few PM's about his build, maybe I should have sent him the info via PM but I thought the Öhlins info was worth making public.

We okay Phil?

Part of why I started this thread was to solicit exactly this kind of info, and also to share the results of my research. If I had known that the 146 can be made to work with the CBX, and that the YSS would need that much work to be usable, I probably would have gone that way. But despite my best efforts I didn't know that stuff and I have no regrets - I think that between these shocks and the AK-20's in 39mm forks, the bike is going to look and work the way I want.

Phil, the great thing about your build and this thread is that it can be used as a model for anyone else looking to build a well handling CBX, they can use the good and avoid any pitfalls you have already gone through, in the long run it could save someone hundreds of dollars experimenting with setups that may not work to their satisfaction.

[Syscrush]

Phil, the great thing about your build and this thread is that it can be used as a model for anyone else looking to build a well handling CBX, they can use the good and avoid any pitfalls you have already gone through, in the long run it could save someone hundreds of dollars experimenting with setups that may not work to their satisfaction.

That is exactly my hope. When I finalize parts and choices, I update the first post so that when I'm finished it should be a helpful Cliff Notes version.

But those who wade through the thread will get the bonus info about Canadian vs. US CB1100F parts, cold winters in Montreal, hip replacements, and who knows what else.

[NobleHops]

Phil, the great thing about your build and this thread is that it can be used as a model for anyone else looking to build a well handling CBX, they can use the good and avoid any pitfalls you have already gone through, in the long run it could save someone hundreds of dollars experimenting with setups that may not work to their satisfaction.

What Jeff said (very well). This is the most valuable kind of content we get, bloody knuckles and all. Too many guys are reluctant to post their research and their travails and there's less to learn from that.

If I had my project to do over I'd follow in your footsteps in many respects, your bike is going to ride, stop, and turn about as well as a stock-framed CBX is going to I reckon.

[Syscrush]

If I had my project to do over I'd follow in your footsteps in many respects, your bike is going to ride, stop, and turn about as well as a stock-framed CBX is going to I reckon.

That's my hope. The old bias ply tires may be the limiting factor once this other work is done, but they won't be any kind of a limitation for a rider like me on public roads.