Cafe Racer Rear Shocks Honda CB750 & CX500 Installation and Road Test

[@CafeRacerGarage]

ALL Parts - www.amazon.com/shop/caferacergarage HERE IS A LIST OF WHAT I USED IN THIS VIDEO: The Music I use: bit.ly/2OR9jRq - AMAZING for KZbinrs Allan key set: amzn.to/2L85x38 Ratchet Wrench: amzn.to/2OPDrMr Super Jaw (Foot Vise) amzn.to/2MAkobp (Handiest tool I own)

[@scottymoto178]

I have a 2003 Honda nighthawk 750 and went to that websight and could not find shocks for it, Do they have it? please let me know if you can. Thanks.

[@oddis188]

There's been many problems with the TEC rear shocks. They feel good but there's many reports of breaking in two. Or snapping

[@jasongaretthatcher]

Do you have a source on this?

[@paulmcgeown542]

I'll be keen to read your review of these Shocks 12 months from now with regular riding, as the same set on my Bonneville miserably failed... The Springs themselves actually bent and started rubbing on the damping housing themselves... If you research these Shocks on some of the Triumph Forums, which Tec Bike originally targeted, many of the Guys have experienced far worse scenarios where the Bushings themselves have failed and even the extension pieces have cracked or snapped off... I'd certainly be opting for Ikons or Hagons from here on in.... Enjoying your Videos buddy, best wishes !

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Its always hard to know what is going to last the test of time, I will definitely be honest with you about the shocks. All the reviews I found where amazing! Not to say the company didn't go through an RND stage so hopfully the issues have been ironed out now, they have been in business for a long time, I believe its a family business and I hope all those guys with issues have been looked after because word of mouth is powerfull.

[@TriumphRascal]

Paul Mcgeown I bought some for my Triumph America and they were absolutely s**t!! It's such a shame I listened to someone who I thought knew what he was talking about!

[@TriumphRascal]

Mike Brink yes they were and I was very disappointed. I tried all sorts of settings, but they bottomed out. More pre load did very little to help. I ended up putting the factory ones back on. They aren’t great, but better than the Tecbikeparts units (in my opinion).

[@vibemunster]

They look like China made ones from Taobao, some of my clients use them, super cheap, around $30 USD

[@HolthCustom]

Hey! Great videos mate! I'm looking for new shocks for my CB650. Still happy with these?

[@harrisdoesthings]

Holy, we were at the same spot where the 'swimming hole' was closed. Apparently some silly people hurt themselves trying to climb some rock face. Keep up the videos!

[@n8guy]

SUPER helpful, thank you! I've been looking for exactly this - something in-between bottom of the barrel and spend a fortune. Perfect.

[@TheYakkis]

Free stuff ! You know you're good when things you want are given to you.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

TheYakkis thank you brother but I’m extremely grateful to be able to do what I do. It’s you and guys like yourself that inspire me to do more and share more :) so the thankyou should be to you 😊

[@peterock8217]

Great video, did you get the same size shocks or did you go a little longer, and did your seat height go up a little?

[@sergiocastellanos3400]

Amazing job you do man!! Both bikes are on fire!!

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Sergio Castellanos thank you 😊

[@seanhunt3417]

Great video mate. They look fantastic. I will definitely have a look for my bike

[@WARSTACK]

What's the TEC part number? TEC's site doesn't show that style shock for 1978 CB750.

[@joaoxufre9296]

Those shocks are exactly the same the ones that I got for my Kawasaki Zephyr 750 and they work really well

[@joeloss3476]

These same shocks are all over ebay for as little as $100 a pair, most direct from China. I know Dellboy and others have also raved about the TEC supplied shocks (without actually testing them) but there also seems to be lots of bad reports/experiences too . I know the quality looks amazing but I find it very hard to believe such ridiculously cheap socks actually perform well for any reasonable length of time. A cruise through the countryside is not going to test them properly. I would like to see you do a more comprehensive followup long-term test, including hammering flat out on bumpy roads. Even if they perform badly they are probably worth $100 just in materials and workmanship (unless they are downright dangerous), but would be good for the general public to know what they're actually getting for the money.

[@jeremyhayes1242]

Hi, The build is very cool and mine is blending some of this with some "cafe" modifications. My question is, when you fitted the 13.5" or longer shocks, did that require you to remove your center stand? Mine bumps the solid bar that accuates the rear brake now. HMMMM.

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

Those Showa shocks that are on the bike are way better quality than the ones you bought. If the Showa's felt worn out, you still would have been better off sending them off for a rebuild than installing these, Or throw these cheap ones on until you can get those rebuilt. They aren't that expensive to rebuild, even with oem seals. Not to mention a lot of places can revalve and respring them for a little extra cost which will improve the ride quality even more.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

This is great information, I'm grateful for your comment, I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to shocks but I do understand mechanical engineering so I decided to run with something new vs something old, that doesn't mean its better, it only means its newer :) time will be the real test, Thank you for the comment Jman, that had some very useful info in it that will be handy for everyone else who reads it :)

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

After you replace the seals and fork fluid on those R6 front forks, you'll see the difference a rebuild can make. If the dust seals are cracking, no telling when or if the fork fluid has ever been changed.

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

Your going to have a hard time finding decent rear shocks for that bike on a budget. You can either go on ebay and find some used oem shocks in decent condition for cheap or just do what most people do and put any 12.5 to 13 inch shock they can find a decent deal with on the bike. A lot of people like finding used Harley Sportster shocks and putting them on those bikes.

[@Beachmangarage]

Awesome as always bro! Yah I'm an audio guy by trade and when the mic quits for no good reason (and you find out later) you just die a little bit inside... Gonna check out your music link as well

[@CafeRacerGarage]

The music in my older videos took me forever to find, its nearly imposable to find good copyright free music, I spent many many hours searching and I even used a song that said it was copyright free but it wasn't and that video can now never be monetized. It was honestly the hardest part of making these videos! Probably doesn't help that im kinda fussy with what songs I use. Once you click that link it will open the door to so many songs that are free to use on KZbin and you can monetize every video, I wish i found it when i first started, any questions just ask brother, we are a community, ☺️

[@brwhyon]

What tires are you running on the CX ? They look great ! I"M looking for my CB650SC, same size as my CX500.

[@gregmcewen5156]

Love the CB750, I'm building a café racer using a 92 CB750 which is nearly done. I like the look of your rear sets, where did you get them ?

[@caseyciemniewski4001]

How many MM shocks are those? I’m debating raising my 96 cb750 with bigger back shocks 360-400mm wondering if you have any thoughts

[@zachys91]

I might be blind but I don't see any shocks for honda with the reservoir on their site.

[@garya3056]

Great video as always, Dan, but what a nice ride... thanks for taking us along! How does one paint the shocks? Hope you show the details on that. Not sure what/how to tape off the moving parts. Have a great week. 🏍👍🏍

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Gary A it’s a nice ride indeed, can’t wait to take the 750 :) painting the shocks is about the only option I think. Powder coating may get messy and the heat could do damage to the seals. I have no idea how I’m going to paint them yet but I will show that process when I get to it. Trying to have rearsets made atm so I can take the bike for a spin

[@garya3056]

Cafe Racer Garage cool- looking forward to that, Dan.

[@mrfaceforest]

Hey Sir! What length shocks did you put on the CX? I went on to tecbikes website and they don't list a shock for the CX specifically and they don't list measurements or lengths from eye to eye bolt. Any help would be great! Thank you!

[@Keentje23]

What about Turning them 180 degrees with the piggy back in the front, instead @ the back....

[@HolthCustom]

Hey! Great videos mate! I'm looking for new shocks for my CB650. Still happy with these?

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Thank you mate, Yes very happy :)

[@joshhamelin9450]

How much nitrogen did you use per shock

[@afnan_02]

Hey Dan , Your videos are awesome 👍😃

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Afnan Khan thank you so much mate, the comments like this is what inspires me to keep posting a new video every week. :)

[@SJW82]

Loving this channel mate....will be caught up soon #LockdownLife 🤣

[@monsterAndZAZA8206]

I love what u do it really awesome u got it going on bro and u get it done nice and clean hope to build something nice like u one day

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Thank you mate

[@DC73rr]

Would it have been possible to rebuild/modify the original shocks?

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Its a great question, Im not totaly sure if its possible but im sure the parts wouldn't be easy to find or cheap, Id be intrested to know this if you do find out tho :)

[@slayerplaysgenshin9842]

I have the same Arnold poster!!

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Dat Guy good spotting. That’s been there for a very long time

[@philhorlock5245]

Hey dude, what tyres did you go for in the end? They look good.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Phil Horlock Hi Phil im using Metzeler Tourance 130-80-17 front 150-80-17 Rear

[@johnr4459]

Slightly off topic, is this the version of cb750 with hydraulic tappets, if so, you chose well !!

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Off topic is fine with me :) I know the hydraulic tappets are in the 92 and this bike is a 93 so yes I believe so, however, I found some bad new about the engine as you will see in next weeks video :) tune in next week and maybe you can help me work out what it is :)

[@johnr4459]

ok, will look forward to it, not a big mechanic though i get by, had to totally strip down a kawasaki z750 4 cyl motor down years ago as a past injury to it was marks down camchain tunnel and sump full of metal filings, cut a long story short i was successful with it though the primary drive chain was a pain, i hate those.

[@johnDukemaster]

Now about those wheels on the CX. Imo they look awful. So what to do if under a minor budget? Keep those hubs. Make 2 rings for each wheel attached to those hubs in the same manner as the hubs are attached to the "spokes" now. The rings needs holes for (wire) spokes. You can use spokes with bent or straight heads. Now you can use the spokes and rim you want! Makes sense?

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Yes great idea and I've seen this done but I im sure it won't be cheap for the 'budget challenge build'

[@GETUPANDGO]

I definitely do the chinstrap thing, lol--and sometimes I find it undone

[@dowser81]

That was the first thing that sprung to mind forget the pun turning them upside down ha ha, but looking at them there would be places water could sit when they are upside down so maybe not a good long term idea perfect for your road test though good work buddy. be interesting to hear how they perform after you get them dialled in.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Very true, my bike lives indoors and only gets taken out when its dry so for me its not an issue but its a great point and thank you for leaving this comment and I'm sure it will help others who didn't think of that. Have an amazing day Alan :)

[@dowser81]

No problem its one of the first things to consider living in Scotland though as rain is never far away ha ha, just been looking at there site and wow first impressions are good i really could be doing with upgrading the thruxtons rear shocks.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Scotland is on my list :) I will be in the UK next year so maybe just maybe I can go a little further and visit the amazing Scotland :) Yes its a very clean website and their customer service is great to.

[@dowser81]

Hopefully you get the opportunity some of our roads over here truly are amazing the scenery is something else as well.

[@robertgrant008]

Gonna check them out 👍

[@htchd1htchd149]

Those are rfy shocks just with no branding,bro that co just orders em direct from the manufacturer in china,now that doesn't mean that they didnt upgrade it once they got it ,I've seen outfits online that basically rebuild em make comparable to ohlins vut way way less

[@waynemartinez8620]

Ha! Thank God you didn't run into that kangaroo! Here in, New Jersey, we have deer that jump out of nowhere at you!

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Wayne Martinez a kangaroo is one thing but a deer 🦌😮 no thank you. Lol 😂 Im so glad a was talking and going slow or I may have hit him and ended up in the bush.

[@marchanselman]

@@CafeRacerGarage Wallaby?

[@CafeRacerGarage]

@@marchanselman Probably :)

[@ChaoticDetour]

Thanks for doing that research. To bad they don't come in black, I'm not looking for shinny bits.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

No worries mate, They have black shocks but the ones that fit my model didn't come in black, unfortunately, I guess this is great feedback for them to offer them in black :) Thank you for the comment mate

[@ChaoticDetour]

I am building a 78' CX500 as well, so I am in the same situation as you.

[@CafeRacerGarage]

I think they have the ones without the reservoir in black for the CX but just check with them as im not 100% :)

[@BobbyShafer]

I haven't looked yet to see if you followed up.... but how have they held up? I need some rear shocks for the Savage S40 dirt tracker.... keep up the great work dude/mate!

[@TriumphRascal]

Oh dear...good luck!!

[@CafeRacerGarage]

Thanks and Thanks for your comment brother, :)

[@prawny12009]

Some of the cheap shocks have dummy reservoirs

[@griftereck]

cool roads there.

[@dannyneill8101]

Check out Dave Moss Tuning for ALL your suspension questions! He's a genius

[@nikolasb2933]

YSS for mine.

[@dougelick8397]

Those shocks look exactly like RFYs.

[@williamstanford9276]

Because they are lol

[@dougelick8397]

@@williamstanford9276 I wonder how have they held up over time? I've flirted with the idea of sticking a set on my Nighthawk 750

[@willvan940]

Rear shocks

[@htchd1htchd149]

Those aren't original honda shocks on that bike either broski