rebel 450 shocks

[mike0024]

hey guys i just purchased some 86 honda rebel socks for my 454. they will be here in a week or so. does anybody know if they are a direct fit or will i have to modify anything to make them fit. also i hear that the will lower the rear of the bike a few inches is this true or did i just waste my money. also is there any way of lowering the front of these bikes mabey a few inches? thank you for any answers any info is helpful. mike

[eaglerider]

Mine were bolt-on - lowers the rear about 2 1/2 to 3 inches. I wouldn't worry about the front, but u could slide the fork tubes up thru the tripple tree an inch or so. Rember, the lower the bike goes, the more u have to be careful about speed bumps and stuff like that. I did not lower the front, and have had no problems.

[mblock]

If I remember correctly I had to use the rubber bushings from my old shocks to fit correctly ( no big deal ). But, also remember that you have to readjust your drive belt or it will be way too tight, and if you want to use your center stand you'll have to cut a couple of inches off, which I did and then I shoved some rubber bushings in the ends to replace the feet. Mike.

[mike0024]

ok thank you. will the bike ride different and or handle different?

[eaglerider]

Rides fine, u will not notice much of a change,(depends on how u pre-set the shocks) except u sit a little lower . Handleing will change slightly (I think) for the better, as the bike will have a slightly lower center-of-gravity.

[skatetokil]

All other things being equal, lowering the rear will shift your weight back making the bike more stable in a straight line but making you more prone to front wheel washouts in corners. There's a reason those sport bikes are high in back and low in front. Pins the front wheel to the ground.

[andrewk]

That's very true.

With the longer EN500 swingarm, and the shorter shocks (I used 650 Savage), riding my bike down the highway is about like sitting in an easy chair. ;D

[chopperfreak2k1]

thats what i want to hear Andrew. i got my savage 650 shocks, 500 vulcan belt and swingarm for the rear. just gotta wait till 2 1/2 feet of snow melts to get to my bike now, LOL. front page of the local paper today is callin for 40"+ in the next week so who knows when spring will ever get here.

[bigun]

I know the Rebel 450 shocks will work, but will the Rebel 250 shocks work?

[eaglerider]

They will, but they are not really heavy duty enough. I would not really recommend them.

[bigun]

thanks, that's what I thought, just needed confirmation

[zekkfett]

May 9, 2012 15:56:27 GMT -6 eaglerider said:

They will, but they are not really heavy duty enough. I would not really recommend them.

I second that. As an owner of a Rebel, those shocks would be WAAAAAY to soft to run on a 454. I get bounced around just riding the Rebel, those shocks are SOFT, even when when properly adjusted. The shocks would simply bottom out on the 454.

I have my doubts about even the Rebel 450 shocks.....seems even they would be too soft; there is quite a difference in weight between the two bikes. (Rebel and 454) The 450 Rebel is only SLIGHTLY bigger than the 250; wider and a TAD longer to fit the bigger engine. I like the preload of the 250's shocks, but the rebound leaves a LOT to be desired.

[et500]

Which shocks will fit with no change to my 1990 vulcan 500? Great riding bike, just like the lower seat feel.
Thanks,et500

[Blaine]

Nov 30, 2012 20:23:41 GMT -6 et500 said:

Which shocks will fit with no change to my 1990 vulcan 500? Great riding bike, just like the lower seat feel.
Thanks,et500

The Suzuki S-40 (savage) will work & are 2 1/2" shorter.

[et500]

Hey thanks Blaine, got em on order from e bay- Never changed out a shock on a bike, whats the best way to do this job?
et500

[Blaine]

Dec 1, 2012 7:05:10 GMT -6 et500 said:

Hey thanks Blaine, got em on order from e bay- Never changed out a shock on a bike, whats the best way to do this job?
et500

You need to jack up the rear of the bike so the rear wheel is just touching the ground.That way the weight is off the shocks & they will slide off after you remove the nuts.When you go to install the shorter ones you will need to drop the rear of the bike so the new shocks will line up & slide on.You may or may not need to change the bushings from your original shocks.Good luck!!

[et500]

Thanks!