Honda F4i shock

Grey runner · January 29, 2013, 11:59:40 AM

Hi Folks, I am in the market for a new shock on the back of my 3XW and I was wondering about the Honda F4i shock conversion. I have not read anything on the forum lately and was wondering if there is any negative feedback and what to be looking out for?

movenon · January 29, 2013, 12:31:09 PM

I would start with reading this: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6549.0
There is always something to be negative about

. I am negative about spending 600.00 for a new shock

. Might have to someday but I plan on holding out for awhile .
F4i shocks are cheap and worth a try. If you do no harm to the mounting points on your bike then you can always put your old shock or an aftermarket one back on.
When you do this kind of mod you are assuming you own responsibility for the out come

.. That said it has been done many times and I am in the process of doing it myself.

Dads_FJ · January 29, 2013, 02:12:50 PM

So far so good on my 3VC (1984 1100).

Arnie · January 29, 2013, 06:56:25 PM

Biggest negative at least for the later model FJs is that the C to C length of the shock is ~13" which changes the linkage ratio and requires new dogbones. It also requires you to remove the centerstand because it won't retract fully. As "movenon" said, with any mod like this you assume your own liability.

Arnie

Grey runner · January 30, 2013, 02:27:01 AM

Thanks for the replies, very usefull.

fj11.5 · January 30, 2013, 02:57:38 AM

No serious negatives after fitting the f4i to my 84,, other than needing the center stand lengthened however you see fit, and leaning over further on the side stand , no

skymasteres · January 31, 2013, 03:58:05 PM

One thing that isn't really explicitly addressed is the fitment details for putting one of these on an 89+ FJ1200.
The suspension linkage is different than the previous generation FJ1100.

fj11.5 · January 31, 2013, 04:01:38 PM

The first to fit one to an 89 was arnie , he should be able to answer any questions for you ,,

movenon · January 31, 2013, 06:54:29 PM

I am in the middle of putting one on a 1990 FJ. If you need some info. I would be glad to tell you what I know a least to date. Arnie has done it and has been real helpful.
George

Arnie · January 31, 2013, 08:50:08 PM

Arnie fitted a F4i shock to his '91 pink stripe bike.

The mount procedure for the '89 should be the same.

Arnie

jscgdunn · February 02, 2013, 06:33:58 AM

Quote from: movenon on January 31, 2013, 06:54:29 PM
I am in the middle of putting one on a 1990 FJ. If you need some info. I would be glad to tell you what I know a least to date. Arnie has done it and has been real helpful.
George

Hi George
Be great if you put up some pics as u go.

thx

Jeff

movenon · February 02, 2013, 11:10:09 AM

That's where I am right now. I am waiting for a needle bearing to arrive for the top end of the shock, 24mm OD, 12mm ID, 23mm wide sealed ends. (it's just mocked up with a cross bolt in the last picture) and some bearings that should be replaced in the relay arm. Should have those by next mid week. Then I have to reinstall the swing arm, mock up the wheel and tire to measure how long to make the dogbones.

As a note: Where the relay arm bolts to the frame there are 2 small bearings in there that on my bike were rusty and in crappy condition. I would encourage anyone that gets that far to pull that arm and inspect / re-lube. I would recommend a good marine grade grease. I guess the reason I mention this is the bolt holding the arm in is fairly long and I had to unbolt the right Al. side structure to get the bolt out. Takes an extra step that some may not do it when re-lubing the swing arm. It's in a high corrosion area and the bearings are small. I think I have located some aftermarket bearings that might be better (they are longer). They will not be here until Tuesday to test fit.
The longer and heavier bearings where the dogbones bolt to are Yamaha proprietary bearings.... Call Randy at RPM... They are Yamaha only. Mine were in good shape, I just got "punch happy" and drove them out then realized I screwed up.

I will post more on the bearings next week. Got to wait for the next supply wagon arriving out West.....
George

Grey runner · February 02, 2013, 02:01:14 PM

Quote from: movenon on February 02, 2013, 11:10:09 AM

That's where I am right now. I am waiting for a needle bearing to arrive for the top end of the shock, 24mm OD, 12mm ID, 23mm wide sealed ends. (it's just mocked up with a cross bolt in the last picture) and some bearings that should be replaced in the relay arm. Should have those by next mid week. Then I have to reinstall the swing arm, mock up the wheel and tire to measure how long to make the dogbones.

As a note: Where the relay arm bolts to the frame there are 2 small bearings in there that on my bike were rusty and in crappy condition. I would encourage anyone that gets that far to pull that arm and inspect / re-lube. I would recommend a good marine grade grease. I guess the reason I mention this is the bolt holding the arm in is fairly long and I had to unbolt the right Al. side structure to get the bolt out. Takes an extra step that some may not do it when re-lubing the swing arm. It's in a high corrosion area and the bearings are small. I think I have located some aftermarket bearings that might be better (they are longer). They will not be here until Tuesday to test fit.
The longer and heavier bearings where the dogbones bolt to are Yamaha proprietary bearings.... Call Randy at RPM... They are Yamaha only. Mine were in good shape, I just got "punch happy" and drove them out then realized I screwed up.
I will post more on the bearings next week. Got to wait for the next supply wagon arriving out West.....
George

Presumable you have to weld the yamaha shock bracket to the existing bracket to avoid heat transfere to the honda shock?

movenon · February 02, 2013, 02:46:19 PM

Yes, the idea is to keep the heat away from the shock as much as possable. It really was not a problem. Just took it slow. The bottom of the shock barely got warm. As a note IF you damage the nitrogen bag you can replace it. It is rebuildable, not that you want to do that !

I took a 1/2 " chunk of steel rod and ground it flat on one side to slip in under the "Arch" and welded the sides also to give it more support. Pretty solid now. The clevis I used was hack sawed off the FJ shock.

As this is work in progress I am think about adapting a longer nitrogen air line (off F3 or F2 Honda or custom made) and mount the canister up where the old FJ adjuster was mounted. I believe Arnie said he mounted his to the right side of the swing arm. I found a local guy that will recharge the shock for 10.00.. I think the air charge is around 150-180 lbs. But that's based on some pretty soft information.

I hope to have the top end of the F4i mounting solved by next week. More on that when I get the part.
George

Arnie · February 02, 2013, 07:54:49 PM

George,

Nice work and good pics. I can now stop considering taking mine apart just to take some shots :-)
I cut the eye a bit shorter than you have, but its not a major difference.
Also, I turned the upper mount bolt down to 10mm (except for the last 2-3mm) so it would fit through the F4 bearings. Changing bearings as you've done is a better solution.

Arnie

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