Lower shock bushings

[blkvlk777]

Ok - I purchased some upper shock bushings from xf6 designs.    I found out that he is only making the uppers and not the lowers.    I did some research on the lowers and found a post that listed this VTX part number below to use.   

"Honda new green bushing no. 52489-HN0-671  (will fit VTX and Valkyire).  Much better than old stock rubber." 

I did have the shocks off yesterday - while I have them tore apart - I just want to replace everything and I will know it is done.   (2 valk - both 13+ years old now).

Questions:  What are people using for the lowers?  Is the VTX part number the ones to get??

thanks for any replies (and any tips pressing the bushing back in).

[rr.indy.98]

I used the green VTX bushings on both upper and lower and have had no problems in several thousand miles. Ride is good with them.

As for a tip: Put the bushings in the freezer overnight. They slide in much easier when cold.

[blkvlk777]

Thanks for the tip

I just got online and honda direct online is selling that part number.    Ordered them for the uppers and lowers.   

Thanks for your reply and tip.

[gordonv]

My understanding from Gary The Bushing Guy (deceased) was that the upper and lower bushing was the same. He would sell them as a set of two, because they did not all fail at the same rate, so most only needed 2 at a time.

[indybobm]

"Honda new green bushing no. 52489-HN0-671  (will fit VTX and Valkyire).  Much better than old stock rubber." 

HDL shows a Bearing and Dust Seal item #12 & 13 instead of a Bushing in the upper eyelet of the shock. Why the Bearing instead of a Bushing?

[rr.indy.98]

"Honda new green bushing no. 52489-HN0-671  (will fit VTX and Valkyire).  Much better than old stock rubber." 

HDL shows a Bearing and Dust Seal item #12 & 13 instead of a Bushing in the upper eyelet of the shock. Why the Bearing instead of a Bushing?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding. If so, sorry. But I think the confusion is that the Valkyrie shocks call for four bushings, whereas the VTX shocks have bushings on the bottom but bearings on the top. So, when you use VTX bushings on the Valk, you take four LOWER bushings from the VTX and use them on top AND bottom on the Valk. Hope that helps.

[indybobm]

I was just wondering if there is a benefit to using the Bearing on top. Is the top of the VTX shock machined differently than the Valk to accept the Bearing?

[rr.indy.98]

I was just wondering if there is a benefit to using the Bearing on top. Is the top of the VTX shock machined differently than the Valk to accept the Bearing?

That I don't know. I haven't looked at the VTX shocks, other than in diagrams. Good question.

[blkvlk777]

The HDL Valkryie store show the same replacement bushing  (same part number) for the uppers and lowers.   When I removed the shocks the other day and the original rubber bushings looked the same upper and lower.

I ordered 4 total for the upper and lower (Left / Right) replacements.    Figured as long as I have it tore apart - might as well change everything and be good for another 12 years.

[PAVALKER]

My VTX was an earlier model (02) and the bushings were the same top and bottom for the VTX and Valkyrie.   I believe... the F Model VTX where they first used the Green Poly bushings had the bearings, but do not think all others did (mine did not).     The Green Poly Bushings are great, inexpensive and my local Honda Dealer even price matched HDL/DLP.

Some people on the VTX message board have used McMaster Carr nylon Busings and pressed them in the shock eyes.  I have not heard reports of those wearing out or needing replaced.   You can search the VTX boards to  see if that is the case.

[dragon_slayer_129]

I replaced the garbage stock shock bushings on my '06 vtx 1300r with only 10K miles on it.  I used the nylon bushings from McMaster Carr like was mentioned earlier.  Yes they are cheap (less than 5 bux....4.86 to be exact for 5 of them) and they do work fine on a vtx.....not saying on a heavier valk how long they'll last.

The part number for the nylon ones are 6389K344 from mcmaster carr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/1138/=gy9kp3   <---- hopefully that link works

Dragon Slayer 129

[OverdueBill]

I used the mcmaster nylon bushings on my VTX1300R.  Working great for 4 years.  I just put some used IS Valk shocks on the X last weekend.  Used another set of nylon bushings again.  No report yet as more mods are ongoing.  Two years ago, before I knew about the green ones, I used the mcmaster bushings on my IS shock tops.  I may change to the green ones if they ever wear out.  Still doing great so far.  I'm sure there is a reason I shouldn't be using such cost efficient parts but they work for me and I'm no light weight.