2005 vS new 2009 Honda OEM Showa shocks for front and rear

[HelloEveryone]

Finally it’s time to upgrade and replace the older 2005 OEM Showa with the newer 2009 OEM Showa.

Anyone tried the differences between the older and newer front and rear Honda OEM Showa?

I think someone told me just a tad difference in term of firmness while still keeping high degree of comfort.

While front shocks are rebuildable, it’s time for a front “New” refresh look.

Rear OEM shocks made by Showa
is a gas-charged (nitrogen) hydraulic damper at 20 years it would have lost some of its damping properties as shock will probably lose some of its gas charge even with preload adjusted.

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Welcome, I've been down this road too. The collective wisdom is they are under sprung bikes. If your 140lbs / 65kg and ride with the bike unloaded (no extra weight) you may feel comfortable. The rear shock pre load is known to evaporate and needs to be refilled, 7 turns in is Honda recommendation. Rear dampening can also be adjusted to taste. Preload adjuster is hydraulic jack oil poured in from the rear of the adjuster by removing the barrel bolt. Strangely I could not find an article for that. More collective wisdom is aftermarket front and rear, this topic covered often, search bar at the top.

Article [13] - ST1300 - Setting rear shock rebound adj [VIDEO] | ST1300 Articles

I thought that this short video might illustrate how changes to the rebound adjustment screw affects how the rear shock works and how to find a starting point for your shock.

www.st-owners.com

Front springs I picked two random years, first is a 2012 PA, second is a 2004 A they are the same.

SPRING, FR. FORK 51401-MCS-G01

SPRING, FR. FORk. 51401-MCS-G01


Rear, these are different between civilian and police.

CUSHION ASSY., RR. 52400-MCS-A31

CUSHION ASSY., RR. 52400-MCS-G02

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Preload adjuster is hydraulic jack oil poured in from the rear of the adjuster by removing the barrel bolt. Strangely I could not find an article for that.

Article [13] - ST1300 - Pre-load Fluid Replacement | ST1300 Articles

Here are some pictures I took when I serviced the preload adjuster on a spare shock I have. I bought this off the forum with 9,000 miles on it. 10,000 miles later it took 12 clicks for the adjuster to start working. In the first pic the preload is completely screwed in or to the Hard setting and...

www.st-owners.com

 

[HelloEveryone]

Welcome, I've been down this road too. The collective wisdom is they are under sprung bikes. If your 140lbs / 65kg and ride with the bike unloaded (no extra weight) you may feel comfortable. The rear shock pre load is known to evaporate and needs to be refilled, 7 turns in is Honda recommendation. Rear dampening can also be adjusted to taste. Preload adjuster is hydraulic jack oil poured in from the rear of the adjuster by removing the barrel bolt. Strangely I could not find an article for that. More collective wisdom is aftermarket front and rear, this topic covered often, search bar at the top.

Article [13] - ST1300 - Setting rear shock rebound adj [VIDEO] | ST1300 Articles

I thought that this short video might illustrate how changes to the rebound adjustment screw affects how the rear shock works and how to find a starting point for your shock.

www.st-owners.com

Front springs I picked two random years, first is a 2012 PA, second is a 2004 A they are the same.

SPRING, FR. FORK 51401-MCS-G01

SPRING, FR. FORk. 51401-MCS-G01


Rear, these are different between civilian and police.

CUSHION ASSY., RR. 52400-MCS-A31

CUSHION ASSY., RR. 52400-MCS-G02

Thanks and great video.

Which is better the Civilian rear shocks or the police ones?

The civilian one more for comfort and the police ones probably thicker spring rate for load?

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Thanks and great video.

Which is better the Civilian rear shocks or the police ones?

The civilian one more for comfort and the police ones probably thicker spring rate for load?

Sounds reasonable given the duty.

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Article [13] - ST1300 - Pre-load Fluid Replacement | ST1300 Articles

Here are some pictures I took when I serviced the preload adjuster on a spare shock I have. I bought this off the forum with 9,000 miles on it. 10,000 miles later it took 12 clicks for the adjuster to start working. In the first pic the preload is completely screwed in or to the Hard setting and...

www.st-owners.com

Clearly a search term issue for me, thanks Andrew.