If you still have your factory OEM rear shocks:
What is their measured length (preferably unloaded, note if otherwise)? -
What is their setting when measured at that length (1 through 5)? -
What is the model year of your T? -
Are you sure that these are the shocks that rolled out of the factory with your T? -
If you are content to simply answer these questions completely unaware of the genesis for them, then you are done, thank you very much!
For those with cat-like curiosity (and reflexes to match, I'm sure!), here's the pickle:
Aftermarket catalog specs for the rear shocks lists OEM length at 11.75" (unloaded).
I measured my own shocks (before removing them, loaded with bike frame weight) at 13"+ (setting 5, 1998 year, factory unknown).
Another forum member in another thread last night measured 12.375" on the bench (setting, year, factory unknown).
In the case of aftermarket maker Progressive Suspension, their specs lump ALL Shadow 1100 models made from something like 1994 through something like 2004 into the same listing (wherein the 11.75" purported spec is found).
The service manual, the dealer, the distributor, even the Honda Customer Service line are all unable to provide the actual OEM spec length for those rear shocks. It can ONLY be found by physically measuring them (and I couldn't convince anyone to go into their warehouse to do that).
Much to the surprise of the dealers I spoke with (but I was insistent that they look!), the T model DOES have a rear shock part number that is different from all other Shadow 1100 models. So we know that the shock is different, we just don't know how different. (This dealer surprise also leads me to suspect it possible that the shocks meant for other Shadow 1100 models could have been accidentally substituted by a dealer or anyone replacing shocks on the T, which is why I'm asking for factory original where possible).
Another tidbit is that Honda specs do list the rear wheel travel that their OEM shocks provide for the T, which is 3.9". That's a whole heck of a lot more (over 60% more) than the Progressive 440 shocks provide (2.37" on the 12" model listed for the Shadow 1100's). That shortened travel can explain a good part of the stiffer ride those 440 shocks provide.
Anyone here able and willing to throw down some numbers? Bring 'em on boys (and ladies, and all!)
Marpesia
I told the Progressive folks that if they needed someone to test ride other shock options for the T, I am their girl.
What is their measured length (preferably unloaded, note if otherwise)? -
What is their setting when measured at that length (1 through 5)? -
What is the model year of your T? -
Are you sure that these are the shocks that rolled out of the factory with your T? -
If you are content to simply answer these questions completely unaware of the genesis for them, then you are done, thank you very much!
For those with cat-like curiosity (and reflexes to match, I'm sure!), here's the pickle:
Aftermarket catalog specs for the rear shocks lists OEM length at 11.75" (unloaded).
I measured my own shocks (before removing them, loaded with bike frame weight) at 13"+ (setting 5, 1998 year, factory unknown).
Another forum member in another thread last night measured 12.375" on the bench (setting, year, factory unknown).
In the case of aftermarket maker Progressive Suspension, their specs lump ALL Shadow 1100 models made from something like 1994 through something like 2004 into the same listing (wherein the 11.75" purported spec is found).
The service manual, the dealer, the distributor, even the Honda Customer Service line are all unable to provide the actual OEM spec length for those rear shocks. It can ONLY be found by physically measuring them (and I couldn't convince anyone to go into their warehouse to do that).
Much to the surprise of the dealers I spoke with (but I was insistent that they look!), the T model DOES have a rear shock part number that is different from all other Shadow 1100 models. So we know that the shock is different, we just don't know how different. (This dealer surprise also leads me to suspect it possible that the shocks meant for other Shadow 1100 models could have been accidentally substituted by a dealer or anyone replacing shocks on the T, which is why I'm asking for factory original where possible).
Another tidbit is that Honda specs do list the rear wheel travel that their OEM shocks provide for the T, which is 3.9". That's a whole heck of a lot more (over 60% more) than the Progressive 440 shocks provide (2.37" on the 12" model listed for the Shadow 1100's). That shortened travel can explain a good part of the stiffer ride those 440 shocks provide.
Anyone here able and willing to throw down some numbers? Bring 'em on boys (and ladies, and all!)
Marpesia
I told the Progressive folks that if they needed someone to test ride other shock options for the T, I am their girl.
In my diagram below I'm using 34 deg. but the principal is valid. We know the
hypotenuse is about 3" we want to know X (the shock travel). COS@=adj/hyp, COS35=X/3 X=cos35*3=.819*3=2.45", in the diagrams case the angle is 34 and
the length is 2.481, using your 40 deg, X=2.3". Any way you cut it the trig is adequately close to the above diagram.
(Every one else can have a sigh of relief now, if
you've even made it this far) I have the 12" HD and nothing has ever rubbed that i can tell. I do run a valk sized E3, and over the GVW when
traveling. 
