YFZ450 Rear Shock on 350X?

[thebutelr]

I have been looking at pictures of a stock yfz rear shock and looking at my 350x rear end for about 2 weeks and I think that it would fit in fine despite the fact that it has the reservoir mounted on the upper shock mount location. I think that if it were flipped around (rotated around, not upside down) it would mate up perfectly on the bike. This is just me spitballin about the possibility of putting that type of shock on my 350x. Has anyone had any experience with this type of mod, and if so how close has it came to fitting your bike? Just trying to get some feedback on this possible upgrade so any input would be awesome. Thanks. Later.

[350Xhilaration]

That sounds like a good mod. The 350X sure could use a better shock than stock.

Hopefully someone can chime in that has had experience with this.

[thebutelr]

That sounds like a good mod. The 350X sure could use a better shock than stock.

Hopefully someone can chime in that has had experience with this.

Yeah no kidding, the 350X rear shock is very rigid and for anything besides cruising or put putting around the yard, a more forgiving shock is needed badly .

[ATCWRENCH]

The only issue that comes up to me is the fact that the 350X uses a linkless type rear suspension while the YFZ450 uses a link. Now putting a link based shock on a linkless bike gonna cause a really soft ride. The only reason I know this is I swapped a spring from a link shock to the factory 200X shock and tried it out. With the spring pre-load set as stiff as I could get it, I could still push down on the grab bar and bottom the shock out. Now if the YFZ shock bolts up fine with no problems, then a simple valve and spring change will set the shock up for a linkless rear end.

[thebutelr]

The only issue that comes up to me is the fact that the 350X uses a linkless type rear suspension while the YFZ450 uses a link. Now putting a link based shock on a linkless bike gonna cause a really soft ride. The only reason I know this is I swapped a spring from a link shock to the factory 200X shock and tried it out. With the spring pre-load set as stiff as I could get it, I could still push down on the grab bar and bottom the shock out. Now if the YFZ shock bolts up fine with no problems, then a simple valve and spring change will set the shock up for a linkless rear end.

I was not aware of that. I think I remember my buddy's 450's rear end being really stiff when I tried to compress the shock. I guess that the linkage plays a big role. Oh yeah doesn't a 200x's shock bolt directly to the swingarm?? The 350X has a little linkage type piece that bolts onto the shock then onto the swingarm. So maybe it wouldn't be as bad on the 350. Just a thought.

[KASEY]

350X is not linkage type suspension,,, just look at the diameter of the spring wire compaired to a yfz spring,,,, it would be real soft way to soft too,,,

[thebutelr]

350X is not linkage type suspension,,, just look at the diameter of the spring wire compaired to a yfz spring,,,, it would be real soft way to soft too,,,

I know it doesn't have a linkage type suspension, I was just saying that it is not a straight direct bolt to the swingarm. I was just wondering if that little piece would make it any different in how the spring compressed compared to the 200X. I think that in that case I would be better off to probably find a used stock 250r rear end assembly and have the whole linkage system and longer swingarm than be out the money buying a yfz shock and having to get it revalved.

[ATCWRENCH]

I know it doesn't have a linkage type suspension, I was just saying that it is not a straight direct bolt to the swingarm. I was just wondering if that little piece would make it any different in how the spring compressed compared to the 200X. I think that in that case I would be better off to probably find a used stock 250r rear end assembly and have the whole linkage system and longer swingarm than be out the money buying a yfz shock and having to get it revalved.

I know the '83 200X didnt have a bracket the shock bolted to. The 84-5 200X's did, it looks very similar to the 350X's bracket. Now the 86-7 200X's I dont know, I havent had the chance to disect one of them yet. You will proabably spend more money retro fitting the rear end from a 250R than just having a YFZ shock re-valved. Even though all of the 250R parts work togathor and are designed to do so, they are not designed to be used on a 200X which has different frame geometry, weight, hook up is different, and the no-link system is lighter than a link system. And if anything, spend 800 bones and buy a brand new YFZ shock and have it set up for the X, I know most new shock purchases have a free setup with them.

[Billy Golightly]

The YFZ shock is 15 and some change long and the 350x shock is 13.5

The 350X would look like a grass hopper if you put it on.

[ATCWRENCH]

The YFZ shock is 15 and some change long and the 350x shock is 13.5

The 350X would look like a grass hopper if you put it on.

If he gets it set up right it wont look like a grasshopper. He will need to have it setup so it will sag. A lot of the shocks on long travel systems have an extreme amount of sag with just the machine by itself, let alone with the rider on it. It's all in how it is setup, but I do see your point Billy if he puts the shock on as is, then yes it will look like a grasshopper

[SpeedBump]

Just swap out the entire rearend with a Honda450R setup. Swinger, shock and linkage. http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/s...ad.php?t=64469