How to: rear spring change
 

This is a "how to" change out your rear shock spring on an F4i, although I think most any CBR shock is about the same. The stock spring on an F4i is rated for about 150lb rider, and I weigh in about 185lb with no gear.For some reason,I could not find a lot of information, or readily available upgrade kits. After doing some research I was able to find the parts, here is the discussion with part numbers and such. https://cbrforum.com/m_519142/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm.What I did found out was that you do need the new collars from race tech because the honda springs are tapered, and Eibachs are not. The collars areonly a couple of dollars a piece, so be sure to order those too.

***A word of caution, you must you the correct tools to compress the spring. Do not try to compress the spring without the proper tools, serious injury can result.The spring is under alot of pressure when you compress it, and it will take offa finger, or the bottom half of your jaw. I was going to use an auto spring compressor, but it was too big for this application, so I found a good tool on ebay for only$30, and it worked perfectly, and safely. (its in the pic)

You will also need a way to get the weight off the rear swing arm so you can remove the shock. I have solid rearsets, so I just used jackstands to hold the bike up by the rearsets.

Here is a pic of the parts and specialty tools you need:

Attachment 73162

*note the race tech part numbers on the spring collars in the bag

Here is the bike prepped for removal of the spring.

Attachment 73163

after fishing the shock out of its home--

Attachment 73164


Here's a before shot of the two springs:

Attachment 73165


Next, load the shock up into a vise, with the remote resovior end facing down. Then usea spring compressor to compress the spring; be sure to use caution during this step. A compressed spring always makes me very nervous. I try to never reach over the top of the spring, or put my face anywhere near it. I may be over cautious, but I still have all 10 fingers so far.

Once you have the spring compressed far enough, you will be able to remove "plates". I am not sure what they are really called, but they sit on top of the preload adjuster, and are just held in by the pressure of the spring. Mine were stuck in there pretty good, so a couple of light taps with a screwdriver unseated them. again, LIGHT taps, the spring is still under pressure, and you dont want that thing "springing"

Attachment 73166


Next, lift the preload adjuster assembly off:

Attachment 73167

Remove the top collar, (the thin one) and leave the thick one on the bottom that the spring is sitting on. Your shock should look like this:

Attachment 73168

also, you should keep that remote resovoir supported, do not let itjust hang like it is in this picture.


Assembly is exactly the reverse of this. take note that the new spring collars are 2 different sizes, be sure to put the correct one on the bottom. It has a slightly larger inner diameter to fit over the factory spring holder that you left on the shock. The bolts that hold the shock need to both be torqued to 33ft lbs per the manual.


Not a bad upgrade for less than $100 to

RE: How to: rear spring change
 

Do you notice a difference with the new spring? Couldn't you just adjust the stock spring tighter/looser (like it says to do so for additional passengers) to make up for your weight? Just curious...

RE: How to: rear spring change
 

I just did this last night, and I havent had a chance to set the sag and really test it out yet to tell how much of a difference it will make.

You can just increase the preload, and it will work just fine if your just commuting or casual twisties. thatswhat I have had it for a long time. But depending on your weight, and your riding style, you can be taking the spring out of its optimum working stroke. I had to crank the preloadway up to keep the sag correct, which limits your spring. Just like on the front forks, I had to change out to Ohlins .90 springsto set the sag correctly within the 1/3rd of the springs operating range to achieve the maximum out of the stock internals.

RE: How to: rear spring change
 

So what did you have the stock spring set at to compsensate before? I have an '01 F4i and weigh about 180 as well. I am also a very new rider and probably won't be pushing the machine near any limits anytime soon so perhaps it's better I leave it at default.

RE: How to: rear spring change
 

Great write up krash, exactly what i needed, i might be going for a full shock change though. Approx. how long did this whole process take?

RE: How to: rear spring change
 

Osino, I had the stock setting at like 6.

this process took almost2 weeks....ha. I had to keep ordering crap and waiting. had to re order the collars that I supposedly didnt need, then I realized that my auto spring compressor wouldnt work, so I had to order a new tool

but seriously, prep the bike, to take shock out, replace the spring and put it back in the bike, less than 2hrs.

Great write up!