NC30 Rear Shock Change, Help needed

[VFR400-NC30-SWEENEY]

Hi everyone, I have just brought a VFR 400 NC30 1994, have changed the bottom radiator but failed the MOT today on the rear shock absorber. Apparently he seals wear and the gas leaks out.

I have brought a used one from ebay and also a workshop manual but until that arrives can anyone give me some instructions on how to fit the shock, it looks pretty simple, two bolts but is there anything thats particularly in the way or anything like that?

Many thanks

[skinnydog0_0]

Hi,
I would remove, back wheel, right hand rearset, heat sheild, exhaust, seat unit, tank.
And you will need to prop the bike up on the underside of the engine. I use a car jack under teh sump to take the weight of the rear paddock stand then take the paddock stand away.
Also worth checking and greasing the dog bone bearings (if teh shock is fecked they may have had a hard time too) as you will have the rear end apart, save doing it again

[CRM]

remove the exhaust, remove seat unit plastics, remove heat shield and right hand peg, crack and slacker the shock linkage nuts at the bottom of the shock, same for the top shock nut and bolt.
then suspend bike (go buy an abba stand, worth every penny) and remove the rear wheel once suspended.
once you have room, then remove the shock and linkages and slip it out the bottom.

i just changed the shock on my RVF at the weekend, took around an hour start to finish, however would be 3 hours and risky needing 2 people without an abba stand.
get a mate to help if your using axle stands, remove all bodywork first and tank just incase it topples over, saves you swearing alot when you see once beautiful plastics in bits on the floor.

[CRM]

dooooh beat by skinnydog, blame the mrs for yakking.

[VFR400-NC30-SWEENEY]

Hello, just brought the new shock but looks slightly different to the one on the bike, I have posted the URL to the same one I have,

Does this shock not require the gas cyclinder that is on my current one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/honda-vfr400-nc30 ... 53e6673663

[mattUKNC]

I can't see ebay at work but I'm guessing this is an early NC30 one, without the res.
Later models had the reservoir, should still fit fine though.

[VFR400-NC30-SWEENEY]

If not, what is that hose for on the shock, is it some kind of breather hose or something? Sorry for my lack in mechanical know how lol

[mattUKNC]

The thin one that sticks out the bottom?




No idea.

If not, what is that hose for on the shock, is it some kind of breather hose or something? Sorry for my lack in mechanical know how lol

[porndoguk]

The thin one that sticks out the bottom?




No idea.

If not, what is that hose for on the shock, is it some kind of breather hose or something? Sorry for my lack in mechanical know how lol

Its a water drain hose :)

the bottom of the shock cups end up catching water because of there shape to hold the spring so mr honda/showa decided to add a water drain so thats the water exited under the bike instead of on ot it

[VFR400-NC30-SWEENEY]

Love this forum, thanks everyone for your help, now to try and fit it, ill let you know when I get stuck