The CB1100 Community Forum

Please someone tell me what is the stock shock length on my DLX it appears to be 14.25, I really want to go about 1 inch lower.who makes them in shorter lengths

Are you having issues reaching the ground? There are a couple things you can do before going the shorter shock route...like setting rear shock on lowest setting, sliding forks up a bit in the trees, and thicker soled boots.

Ferrit, I do plan on bringing the fork tubes up in the trees but I really want shorter shocks also. I am not concerned with losing some lean angle as I dont ride very agressively, at 5ft4 I dont have much choice. I have lowered many bikes this way and I never scrape anything.If necessary. I can even have the kickstand shortened.Also tell me about bar risers that will work with stock cables and wires?

Which bike did you get? I have issues with speed bumps bottoming out on the catalytic converter at stock height, and I'm not the only one with this issue.
I think the DLX has more ground clearance due to the change in the pipes.

As another option; I had the stock seat made into a cafe seat and this lowered it to where I'm almost flat footed. I'm 5'6" so I know this would work for you.

$425 if you are interested. I'll just have another one made. Only 30 miles on this one. I travel for work way too much and haven't been riding!

Here is the link to the post. http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....0#pid26730

(04-23-2014, 11:24 AM)ss2wheels_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Ferrit, I do plan on bringing the fork tubes up in the trees but I really want shorter shocks also. I am not concerned with losing some lean angle as I dont ride very agressively, at 5ft4 I dont have much choice. I have lowered many bikes this way and I never scrape anything.If necessary. I can even have the kickstand shortened.Also tell me about bar risers that will work with stock cables and wires?

(04-23-2014, 11:24 AM)ss2wheels_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Ferrit, I do plan on bringing the fork tubes up in the trees but I really want shorter shocks also. I am not concerned with losing some lean angle as I dont ride very agressively, at 5ft4 I dont have much choice. I have lowered many bikes this way and I never scrape anything.If necessary. I can even have the kickstand shortened.Also tell me about bar risers that will work with stock cables and wires?

You might first look into reshaping / lowering the seat. That might prevent the need to mess with the suspension and at the same time would raise the height of the bars in relationship to the seat.

Another option for you - I am also about 5'6" and ordered the Japanese seat from Samurider. Same look as the stock seat, but 1" lower. I also rocked the bars back about a quarter turn.

I've researched shorter shocks, and here's what I've found (I'm late to this thread; I've only had my bike for two weeks):

Ikon offers shocks for our bike with a max length of 14.25" and a min length of 11.73":

[url=http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/shop/7610-1507/]Ikon Shocks for CB1100

Most aftermarket manufacturers, customizers, and tuners advise against using shocks lower than 30mm--about 1.2"--from stock shocks. You need to make sure the tire doesn't bang into the fender when the shock fully compresses. I haven't done the calculations, so I don't know if it will. Others have noted problems with the catalytic converter hitting the ground when the stock suspension fully compresses. I haven't had that happen yet; I ride a Deluxe.

If you use shorter shocks, to maintain handling relatively comparable the stock suspension's I recommend raising the fork tubes 1/2", as most folks here suggest. By setting your forks and shocks to full-soft you’d lower things a bit more.

I searched for fork lowering kits; there are some for various Honda models, but I didn't find any for the CB1100. You could go with custom forks by a shop like Forks by Frank, but I'll wager those would cost major bucks. I didn't ask.

So with adjusted fork tubes, a customized seat, and shorter shocks you'll definitely move closer to your comfort zone.

I've reached my technical know-how limit, so other members, please chime in and correct/amend my suggestions if/as required.

(04-23-2014, 11:24 AM)ss2wheels_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Ferrit, I do plan on bringing the fork tubes up in the trees but I really want shorter shocks also. I am not concerned with losing some lean angle as I dont ride very agressively, at 5ft4 I dont have much choice. I have lowered many bikes this way and I never scrape anything.If necessary. I can even have the kickstand shortened.Also tell me about bar risers that will work with stock cables and wires?

SW Motech has bar risers that should work with the stock cables, especially if you raise the forks in the triple clamps. I have used them on a V-strom, Bonneville and Tiger 1050 with no cable reach problems.

Find them at Twisted Throttle web site.

As mentioned, there are several options with lower seats to choose from, but if you're set on shorter shocks, I'd give these guys a call: http://www.racetech.com/ It's been my experience that they can do just about anything for just about any bike with height, spring rate, damping, etc.
Good luck!