Lowered bike and it didnt cost me an arm and a leg..

[Coltnut_imp]

I own a 2013 CB1100,am the original owner of this thing.I happen to be a little challenged in the leg department.While I just joined these forums,ive been reading thru them for quite some time.Ive been keeping an eye on how to lower my bike without spending tons of many or taking the padding out of the seat.
After researching various standard shocks from different existing bikes,I narrowed my search to shocks from a 2013 Triumph Bonneville.Shocks are 13" with 3.9" travel.I checked my local Craigslist and found a new takeoff set for a whopping $20.00 !
Once inhand I measured the bushings the top bushings were same id as bushings in Honda shocks,no change needed there as I figured.The bottom bushing were slightly smaller with a steal insert fused in.I removed the bottom bushings.Did a little research and found some bushing at Summit Racing Equiptment,bushing part #exp-68060 that had the ID that matched the lower bushing mount on bike.Cost was $9.94 delivered for two bushings.The outside diameter was larger and longer,so I had a local machine shop profile the outside of the bushings to match the bottom bushings I removed from the triumph shocks.Too the guy at machine shop 10 minutes on a lathe to profile the bushings and said no charge since it was so simple !
Installed new bottom bushings in triumph shocks,installed shocks on Honda...and Walla! 1.25" lower for a whopping cost of $29.94 and a nice guy at machine shop.
With Triumph shocks installed ,clearance between tire and inside of fender is 4.50",shock travel of triumph shocks is 3.9".Triumph shocks look identical to the Honda shocks,so looks haven't changed.Bike sits straight instead of high at rear.Kick stand doesn't seem to have changed any,as far as angle.Bike rides just as good and easier for my feet finding solid ground.

[activedirt_imp]

Wow this is crazy! Are the springs on the new shocks much the same as the original. I refer to the diameter of the medal and number of turns etc. If I understand what you have done then it is the springs (getting overly technical I be) that determines the amount of drop (or lowering) of the rear of the bike, is that correct?

I'm impressed, are you a gear-head by trade?

[CB4ME_imp]

It's very easy to drop the front a tad. Just loosen the font bolts. It will help toward restoring the rake and trail geometry and lower the bike a bit more (I wouldn't go more than a half inch).

[Coltnut_imp]

Wow this is crazy! Are the springs on the new shocks much the same as the original. I refer to the diameter of the medal and number of turns etc. If I understand what you have done then it is the springs (getting overly technical I be) that determines the amount of drop (or lowering) of the rear of the bike, is that correct?

I'm impressed, are you a gear-head by trade?

Spring diameter on the Honda shock is .310",on the Triumph shock it is .316".
The Honda shock has 9 coils,the Triumph shock has 11 coils,
with the spring tension adjuster set at the lowest tension setting-both Honda and triumph springs are 8 inches in length.
Distance from the bottom of the spring to center of bottom bushing is 4 inches on the Honda and 2.50 inches on the triumph.
Honda shock is 14.25 center to center,Triumph is 13 inches center to center,major difference is at bottom end of shocks,otherwise they are pretty close in all other dimensions.

I did plan on lowering the front a little,but doing just the rear seems to be all I needed and is working just fine.I really don't want to lower the front end due to having the front header pipes lower to ground.

As for Gear-head,you can say that....Ive built about 20 custom bikes over the years,all Harley engine driven machines as I know Harley drivetrains inside and out.Ive had American,British,Italian and Japanese bikes over the years...and still continue to enjoy the two wheel disease.
I'll get some pics up when I get some pics of bike.

[Brookland27_imp]

You could of ordered the stock honda lower bushings from bike bandit and avoided the machine shop. I replaced the bushings in a set of hagon nitro shocks i had as takeoffs from my thruxton they were 370mm (stock thrux is 360) though which added a little height and worked a charm. The stock triumph shock looks and performs alot like the stock honda shock.....

[Coltnut_imp]

You could of ordered the stock honda lower bushings from bike bandit and avoided the machine shop. I replaced the bushings in a set of hagon nitro shocks i had as takeoffs from my thruxton they were 370mm (stock thrux is 360) though which added a little height and worked a charm. The stock triumph shock looks and performs alot like the stock honda shock.....

My original plan was to just press out the lower bushings from the Honda shock and press them into the Triumph shock,that didn't go according to plan as the steel eyelet on the triumph had a bigger I.D.,the Honda lower bushing was about an 1/8" O.D. smaller than the Triumph Bushing's O.D.,the Honda bushing will drop freely thru the triumph's lower eyelet...hence why I looked for a bushing with a matching inside I.D. and an oversize O.D.
Eventually it worked out.

[Carguy1959_imp]

I bought a set of aftermarket shocks off eBay. They are 340mm verse the 360mm, about 1.25 inch difference. They where $80 shipped. The fit chart even listed our bikes. I was able to use the stock bushings with the new shocks. They are adjustable. I have them set pretty soft. Everything seems fine. I do ride somewhat aggressively, and have had no issues. They also offer a 320mm.

[Coltnut_imp]

I bought a set of aftermarket shocks off eBay. They are 340mm verse the 360mm, about 1.25 inch difference. They where $80 shipped. The fit chart even listed our bikes. I was able to use the stock bushings with the new shocks. They are adjustable. I have them set pretty soft. Everything seems fine. I do ride somewhat aggressively, and have had no issues. They also offer a 320mm.

Carguy,i did look at those shocks but couldn't find much info on them,i went with the Triumph shocks due to them being an OEM shock and they are almost identical to Honda shocks,i wouldn't be surprised if both are made by same company.Be nice if Progressive suspension made something for the CB,Ohlin's is out of my league price wise.

[Carguy1959_imp]

If I would have seen your idea before buying them, I would have gone the same route.

[Coltnut_imp]

Pictures attached of CB1100 with 2013 Triumph 13" shocks and also a pic with Honda 14.25" shock side by side with Triumph shock.
Have had no issues,no bottoming out issues.
Has worked out great for me.For reference im 155 lb,5'4" with 29" inseam.