Rear Shock R&R question

Well I have caught up on the maintenance on my Wee STrom with chain, sprockets, brakes, tires. Then I moved to the ST700 and rebuilt the Forks. Now it is time to get busy on my ST1300, which by the way has not been getting a lot of attention lately. After 123000 miles and 11 years, it is time for new shock for the up coming season. Still having an internal debate on whether I should go with an after market shock for lots of $$$$ or an OEM shock for less $$. Either way it is going to be expensive.

My question to the Forum, to those who have replaced their shock already is: Should I remove the rear wheel when changing the shock. Will that give me more room or can the rear wheel be left on and still be able to R&R the shock. Anybody have any tips/avoidance to pass on. I anticipate keeping the ST for at least one more year. After that (Next Year) I think I will be looking at the new 2014 FJRs. If the rear wheel must be removed I will just wait until it is tire change time and do this only once.

I've done it both ways and the wheel does not have to be removed but there is more room to work the shock back, down, and out if you do remove the wheel. The swing arm only drops so far so if you place a 3/4 to 1" piece of wood under the center stand this allows the swing arm to drop as far as possible with the wheel in place.

There are several threads on rear shock removal.

I have one of these http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-465-5013-Anodized-Performance/dp/B0068FZYAM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1390760569&sr=8-5&keywords=honda+st+1300+rear+shock still need to install it. Like Dave said you can take the wheel off or leave it in as I have also done it both ways.

970mike said:

I have one of these http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-465-5013-Anodized-Performance/dp/B0068FZYAM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1390760569&sr=8-5&keywords=honda+st+1300+rear+shock still need to install it. Like Dave said you can take the wheel off or leave it in as I have also done it both ways.

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Did you buy it off of Amazon or...........?

I got a quote from Race Tech to rebuild my factory rear shock.

Labor- $125.00

SRSP 5815xxx- $114.99 Shock Spring

SPSC P575516- $19.99 Spring Collar

SMGV S4005S- $169.99 Gold Valve

SPNV 0512- $14.99 Nitrogen re-charging tool. You will need this in order to make the shock rebuildable.

SSOS 14S- $19.99 Oil Seal / Dust Seal set

SMSB 1410- $9.99 Bushing

US1 PT- $14.98 Oil

Total - $490.

For the extra $30 I would go with NEW. Now to find the $$$ to do this upgrade.

I went with a hyperpro and have been very happy it will make you love the ST again whichever way you decide to go all are a vast improvement over stock.

ChucksKLRST said:

Did you buy it off of Amazon or...........?

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Here https://www.twocycleguys.com/p-73986-progressive-suspension-465-5013-rap-stock-monoshock-honda-st1300-03-up.aspx

970mike said:

Here https://www.twocycleguys.com/p-73986-progressive-suspension-465-5013-rap-stock-monoshock-honda-st1300-03-up.aspx

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Ohhh, on sale for $507. Not bad at all. That's a good alternative.

Tor said:

Ohhh, on sale for $507. Not bad at all. That's a good alternative.

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Yes it is if you search here TurboTom had one on his ST and stated that is was a very good shock. The company used his bike to fit it for the ST.

Guess I will be ordering it up next week. The OEM is $548 from Honda Direct Line. How much better is the Progressive over the OEM?

SteveST1300 said:

I went with a hyperpro and have been very happy it will make you love the ST again whichever way you decide to go all are a vast improvement over stock.

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Hyper-Pro is the way to go. I bought a Progressive and had NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. The shock is way to light. It is a copy of the stock shock as far as settings and max. weight it can handle. Give Claus a shout at Hyper Pro. He will listen to your needs. Fill out the form honestly as to your weights and how you use the bike. He will build you a custom shock.
If anyone wants a a "like new" stock rear shock...it has about 15,000 miles on it, I would like to sell mine.

+1 Claus was amazing and I was able to go to his shop near Englishtown Raceway Park I did the shock and fork springs.

I don't know if it is important to you but if you let Race Tech rework the OEM shock it fits back like original including the preload adjuster. My first shock replacement by Hagon had me jury rigging the preload adjuster it came with in an approximate position of the stock one. My experience with a RT reworked Showa OEM has been good and I'll have no problem letting RT rebuild it when the time comes.

dduelin said:

I don't know if it is important to you but if you let Race Tech rework the OEM shock it fits back like original including the preload adjuster. My first shock replacement by Hagon had me jury rigging the preload adjuster it came with in an approximate position of the stock one. My experience with a RT reworked Showa OEM has been good and I'll have no problem letting RT rebuild it when the time comes.

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I'm attempting this now. I intend to get fork springs from them too. I'm awaiting an e-mail from them on a recommendation. When they asked for weight to determine spring rate, I gave them my weight without gear. Not sure that was right.

Reginald said:

I'm attempting this now. I intend to get fork springs from them too. I'm awaiting an e-mail from them on a recommendation. When they asked for weight to determine spring rate, I gave them my weight without gear. Not sure that was right.

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The RT spring rate calculator says to enter rider weight w/o gear so you did it right.