Thanks for replacing the side that doesn't have the muffler. The first side was perfect. The muffler was in the way on the other side. Off to the store to buy some metric wrenches!! Thanks for the video though, great help!!
I went ahead and did my 2004 VTX 1300c with 24000 miles and probably original bushings. Safe to say they were dried out and the pliers method just broke pieces off. It was easier to get a small flat head screw driver and just pry it out. Secondly, I was able to put a little bit of grease on the new green bushings, put the shock in between my legs and mostly push the bushing in with two thumbs. Then tap it with rubber mallet for the last little bit. I was stunned, on the left side, while I was trying to put shock on, how the top bushing, as I was pushing the shock on, just completely popped out of the shock. So it certainly is not a snug fit. And it slammed my finger in between the shock and the stud as it popped out. Youch. Better to take a small 2 x 4 piece and tap it into place with the mallet flat against the bushing so it can't pop out. Also if the shock doesn't line up exactly, you may have to lower the jack a bit onto rear wheel to move up the hole to line up. Torque on VTX is 20 lbs per service manual.
Good video and good commentary explaining what you were doing and why. Thanks for posting. I'm wanting to put Progressive shocks on my VTX 1300 and this was very helpful.
I might get another 1800 one day. Just currently dont have room for another bike so the VTX bikes had to go. Needed something that was better for longer rides, and had more storage for trips.
I just bought a 2004 Honda VTX 1300 and the rear shock bushings are bad the ones you show in the video will those fit my bike and are they all same part upper and lower thanks also where can i get them
I took my shocks off months ago. I guess my non running bike is dragging because of that. Can't even turn the wheel without it scrapping the ground. I bought some lowering struts 9.5" ...any recommendations to get them on? I have a car hydro lift jack. If i jack it up from the rear that should be enough pressure to get the struts on right ?
You will need to raise the frame of the bike to install the new shocks. A car jack is NOT a good idea as the bike will likely fall over. You will need a motorcycle jack or some other type of lift that will lift the bike and hold it level as you do. Then you should be able to install the new shocks.
@@BadmunkyWRX hey thank you. As soon as I lifted the bike I noticed the gap separated for the shocks to be added on( which was my worry). I also used a car jack ( on opposite side of bike stand) it creates sort of a tripod affect, so the bike doesn't fall.
An alternative to the stock rubber or poly bushings is to use a nylon bushing. They tend to last much longer. I swapped mine out about 20k miles ago for Nylon, and they are still holding up great. You can get them from mcmaster.com. Here's the part number and description. p/n: 6389K344 Nylon Bearing, Sleeve, for 5/8" Shaft Diameter, 7/8" OD, 3/4" Length, Packs of 5
Great video but I can not find that part number at any of the Honda OEM parts stores, they only offer the rubber bushing. Can you tell me where you bought the polyurethane bushings?
www.partzilla.com/product/honda/52489-HN0-671 The description says there rubber but these are the correct bushings. And are the same ones I used in the video. You will need 4 of them.
were you getting a weird noise when you idled 30-40 miles a hour? i jave no problems at all when i haul someone but when no ones back there i get a strange noise
I have that same vibration/noise at 30 mph, Drew. Faster and it goes away, slower and it goes away. Did you ever figure out what it was? I was thinking maybe a bearing.
Jared Moulder yes you do. the shocks hold the bike up. so if you try and take them off they would be very hard to get off. And almost impossible to get back on.
Jeffrey Cranston I knew there had to be a spec for it. LOL. I probably put them closer to 30lb. But I have never had a problem doing so. I have now done at least 20 bikes for locals and friends. And now have a nicer shop with a propper work bench as well.
Sorry man I can't answer that. I have not needed to rebuild them yet. Honestly I did not know they could be rebuilt. I may look in to it and do a video on that in the spring if I have time.
No. The shocks are under load and IF you get one off you will struggle to get it back on if you can get it on at all. Remember they support the back of the bike. So you remove one and the other will compress more than it already was and the one you removed will extend as its no longer under load. You will likely never be able to compress the removed shock enough to get it back on since it would take a a lot of force to compress the internal spring. These are not like car shocks. There load bearing.
Upper and lower bolts are 2 different part numbers. And remember there is also a washer there. Parts 6, 7, and 10 in this link. www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/2003/vtx1800c-ac/rear-shock-absorber-1 This is a great place to get replacement stock parts from. I have ordered more than a few things from them with no problems. Prices are usually the best you find as well.
When I say unloaded I mean as in not supporting any of the bikes weight. The setting the shock is on make no difference when changing the bushings. I think mine where on 3 for this video. The rear wheel needs to be off the ground. And you do one shock at a time. So there should always be one shock on the bike.
@@wykedmoose7642 There are 4 bushings that will need to be replaced. So if there is only one per pack you will need 4 packs. Its been a while and I do not remember how many came in a pack.
You can only adjust the preload on them, but it dose lift the bike a little. Mostly it prevents you from bottoming when you have a passenger. You will need the tool that came with the bike. And you spin the adjuster to the setting you want. I run mine on 2 when solo, and 3 or 4 when 2 up depending on how much gear we have on the bike.
Good video, and thanks for making it! It's a huge benefit to us just knowing what's in store when we go to do things on these big bikes.
Recently got a vtx thought this would be a pain but thanks to you posting this information will make it a lot easier.
Thanks for replacing the side that doesn't have the muffler. The first side was perfect. The muffler was in the way on the other side. Off to the store to buy some metric wrenches!! Thanks for the video though, great help!!
I dont have stock pipes on mine, so both side are easy.
Thats why I only showed the one side.
I went ahead and did my 2004 VTX 1300c with 24000 miles and probably original bushings. Safe to say they were dried out and the pliers method just broke pieces off. It was easier to get a small flat head screw driver and just pry it out. Secondly, I was able to put a little bit of grease on the new green bushings, put the shock in between my legs and mostly push the bushing in with two thumbs. Then tap it with rubber mallet for the last little bit. I was stunned, on the left side, while I was trying to put shock on, how the top bushing, as I was pushing the shock on, just completely popped out of the shock. So it certainly is not a snug fit. And it slammed my finger in between the shock and the stud as it popped out. Youch. Better to take a small 2 x 4 piece and tap it into place with the mallet flat against the bushing so it can't pop out. Also if the shock doesn't line up exactly, you may have to lower the jack a bit onto rear wheel to move up the hole to line up. Torque on VTX is 20 lbs per service manual.
Good video and good commentary explaining what you were doing and why. Thanks for posting. I'm wanting to put Progressive shocks on my VTX 1300 and this was very helpful.
Thank you!
Great video. I'm sorry to see that you have outgrown the vtx line tho... lol
I might get another 1800 one day.
Just currently dont have room for another bike so the VTX bikes had to go. Needed something that was better for longer rides, and had more storage for trips.
they look exactly the same I really appreciate it
That is pretty fricken neat how it just pops into place
thanks for the video it helped me a lot
Just sold my VTX but got a Val GL F6C. So this helps..
I ordered these for my vtx and then realized it was for 1800 I have a 1300 do these bushings still work????? Great video man
Yes. They are the same for the 1300 and 1800.
thank you for sharing
very helpful. thanks
How do you make popping in the bushing look so easy? I've picked my bushing off the floor 20 times now. Thanks for the vid!
Lube it and hit it like you mean it! LOL
Great job on the video
Thanks for the information
great video, thanks!
Added some updated info to the description including the part number.
I just bought a 2004 Honda VTX 1300 and the rear shock bushings are bad the ones you show in the video will those fit my bike and are they all same part upper and lower thanks also where can i get them
thanks for the video
I took my shocks off months ago. I guess my non running bike is dragging because of that. Can't even turn the wheel without it scrapping the ground. I bought some lowering struts 9.5" ...any recommendations to get them on? I have a car hydro lift jack. If i jack it up from the rear that should be enough pressure to get the struts on right ?
You will need to raise the frame of the bike to install the new shocks. A car jack is NOT a good idea as the bike will likely fall over.
You will need a motorcycle jack or some other type of lift that will lift the bike and hold it level as you do.
Then you should be able to install the new shocks.
@@BadmunkyWRX hey thank you. As soon as I lifted the bike I noticed the gap separated for the shocks to be added on( which was my worry). I also used a car jack ( on opposite side of bike stand) it creates sort of a tripod affect, so the bike doesn't fall.
Why are the black rubber ones more expensive than these?
No idea. But these are better.
cool thanks brother
No problem.
I can make a vide of how to do it if you would like.
An alternative to the stock rubber or poly bushings is to use a nylon bushing. They tend to last much longer. I swapped mine out about 20k miles ago for Nylon, and they are still holding up great. You can get them from mcmaster.com. Here's the part number and description. p/n: 6389K344 Nylon Bearing, Sleeve, for 5/8" Shaft Diameter, 7/8" OD, 3/4" Length, Packs of 5
I don't see packs of 5. Only individual bearings.
I wonder if these same shocks go to VT1100C 1993 ? What lenght might these be? looking for new progressive suspension shocks.
No idea if there same. But I would say likely not the same shock seeing as these bikes are heaver.
Great video but I can not find that part number at any of the Honda OEM parts stores, they only offer the rubber bushing. Can you tell me where you bought the polyurethane bushings?
www.partzilla.com/product/honda/52489-HN0-671
The description says there rubber but these are the correct bushings. And are the same ones I used in the video.
You will need 4 of them.
I would think pressing it in with a vice would be safer
Maybe, but this way is way faster and works fine.
were you getting a weird noise when you idled 30-40 miles a hour? i jave no problems at all when i haul someone but when no ones back there i get a strange noise
No I was not, but if your bushings where in worse shape then mine it could do that.
If the bolts are not centered, replace the bushings ether way.
I have that same vibration/noise at 30 mph, Drew. Faster and it goes away, slower and it goes away. Did you ever figure out what it was? I was thinking maybe a bearing.
Rookie question do I need to lift the bike before taking the shocks off?
Jared Moulder yes you do.
the shocks hold the bike up. so if you try and take them off they would be very hard to get off. And almost impossible to get back on.
Good question!! Thanks for asking!
That was so easy 👍🙏🏼
Tech manual says 20 lb torque on VTX 1300 shock bolts fyi.
Jeffrey Cranston I knew there had to be a spec for it. LOL.
I probably put them closer to 30lb. But I have never had a problem doing so.
I have now done at least 20 bikes for locals and friends.
And now have a nicer shop with a propper work bench as well.
LOL.. thanx
oh yea I'd appreciate it mines a 2003 honda shadow sabre 1100
Ok.
They should be the same.
I'll let you know when it's uploaded.
if i need to rebuild the shock. how much oil i need to use ? and what type ?
Sorry man I can't answer that. I have not needed to rebuild them yet. Honestly I did not know they could be rebuilt.
I may look in to it and do a video on that in the spring if I have time.
@@BadmunkyWRX thanks mate.. No worries :)
Can i still do this with the bike on its sidestand?
No.
The shocks are under load and IF you get one off you will struggle to get it back on if you can get it on at all.
Remember they support the back of the bike. So you remove one and the other will compress more than it already was and the one you removed will extend as its no longer under load. You will likely never be able to compress the removed shock enough to get it back on since it would take a a lot of force to compress the internal spring.
These are not like car shocks. There load bearing.
What is the part number for the 12mm bolt? i have lost one off my 1800c and need to order a new one.
Upper and lower bolts are 2 different part numbers. And remember there is also a washer there.
Parts 6, 7, and 10 in this link.
www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/2003/vtx1800c-ac/rear-shock-absorber-1
This is a great place to get replacement stock parts from. I have ordered more than a few things from them with no problems. Prices are usually the best you find as well.
You said they need to be unloaded. Shouldn't you first use the spanner to turn them to the least loaded position (which I think would be 1)?
When I say unloaded I mean as in not supporting any of the bikes weight. The setting the shock is on make no difference when changing the bushings. I think mine where on 3 for this video.
The rear wheel needs to be off the ground. And you do one shock at a time.
So there should always be one shock on the bike.
Thanks!
Torque is 9 pounds /inch
do four bushings come in one packet?
2 per pack if I remember correctly.
@@BadmunkyWRX Nope, sorry, ONE ( 1 ) per pack, so order two ( 2 )
@@wykedmoose7642 There are 4 bushings that will need to be replaced.
So if there is only one per pack you will need 4 packs.
Its been a while and I do not remember how many came in a pack.
Will these fit a 05 VTX1800N2
brett crouse yes.
These will fit all VTX models both 1300 and 1800.
hey question how do you adjust the ride height on those
You can only adjust the preload on them, but it dose lift the bike a little.
Mostly it prevents you from bottoming when you have a passenger.
You will need the tool that came with the bike. And you spin the adjuster to the setting you want.
I run mine on 2 when solo, and 3 or 4 when 2 up depending on how much gear we have on the bike.
ua-cam.com/video/211gXovvMIE/v-deo.html
Here you go man!
are the upper and lower bushings the same part number?
RanGer498 yes they are.
Yup but u forgot to add jack up the bike first.
never set a tool on a battery like that..