can the rear shock go bad on the f3 models. mine feels like it got mushy. i tried the adjustment on the reservoir but it dosnt feel like it changed anything.

 

those shocks can be 15 years old on some of em...
getting a used one that's in great shape can cost you 15 bucks on ebay.

or perhaps, move to an f4i shock.

 

i was thinking of going with a f4i shock. does it matter what years or will they all bolt up

 

ask streetfighter88, he knows.

 

Yes these shocks can go bad, but they can also be rebuilt. There are a couple side effects of going to an F4i shock which I think was the bike leans uncomfortably (to the point of tipping) when on the side stand. I am rebuilding/revalving my shock with a racetech kit. A bit expensive, but I hope the end result will be worth it.

 

Any F4i shock will do.
The bike will be at least 1" taller at the back and you will have to make up a bracket for the side stand to extend it. Needless to say you wont be able to use the center stand (unless you put something under it as it wont reach otherwise).
I had it done to mine and i loved it.
Have lovely golden Ohlins now that cost me the price of the whole bike itself - but hey, i race this bike now :-)

 

ok honda told me they can recharge the nitrogen in it. they also said it may or may not work but for the 15$ im gonna try that and go from there. i was also reading other post on the the f4i shock being taller. i dont have a center stand on my bike and making a bracket for the side stand is no problem. how much difference is there in the handleing of the bike with a f4i shock?

 

When adding the F4i rear shock to your bike. Do you also need the two F4i suspension bracket arms that connect to the bottom of the rear shock or just the F4i rear shock itself and use your current F3 suspension bracket arms? I'm not sure what the two brackets are called that connect to the bottom of the rear shock.

Moses

 

not sure on the brackets. i havnt done it yet. a buddy is giving me his old shock that is still good.

 

I found out the name of the two brackets, shock arm and shock link. So now for my question using the right terminology So when replacing your F3 shock with a stock F4i shock, do you use the stock F3 shock arm and shock link along with the F4i shock or do you replace the F3 shock arm and shock link with the F4i shock arm and shock link? Just wondering since some of the F4i rear shocks come with the shock arm and shock link on eBay

Moses