Rear shock leaking oil - how to repair and/or replenish?

basketcase · Nov 18, 2023

So I walked through the carport a few weeks back to spy a drop of oil under the swingarm. After moving the bike around and watching it, the seepage is coming from the rear shock adjuster.

Which leads me to several questions:

1. Is there a way to repair this without a total replacement?

2. Is there a way to replenish the oil while I'm getting ready to do a thorough repair?

As always, thanks in advance,

Rick

Woodaddict · Nov 18, 2023

I doubt you can fix it. Somebody else just a little bit ago posted same problem. I had to replace my shock after same oil explosion on my first NT at 98,000 miles. Try this discount website. Partzilla.com. based in Georgia. Just look at schematic

Woodaddict · Nov 18, 2023

Looked it up....that was YOU who revived a 2019 thread about rear shock. Seems like about in 2016 price was under $500 for oem replacement

basketcase · Nov 18, 2023

Woodaddict said:
Looked it up....that was YOU who revived a 2019 thread about rear shock. Seems like about in 2016 price was under $500 for oem replacement.

LOL. I couldn’t recall if or where I asked about it.

At Honda Direct Line the new part is over $1000. I’ll check the partzilla site. Thanks!

mikesim · Nov 18, 2023

Parts Fish has it for $897.28. They have always been competitively priced and fast service.

Mike

cliffh · Nov 19, 2023

I can't find anything else, but that price is insane for a single shock.

Cliff

rc_heli_nut · Nov 19, 2023

Call this company, I had some front fork modifications done on my NT, they did great work. I believe they do repair work as well, maybe they can replace leaking seal.

https://traxxion.com/

cliffh · Nov 19, 2023

https://www.servicehonda.com/ sells the factory OEM shock for $875

https://wilbersusa.com/services/ says they rebuild and repair OEM motorcycle shock absorbers including Honda and their site says cost is usually around $115 and $450. They also make "non-serviceable" shocks serviceable.

Cliff

JQL · Nov 20, 2023

Hagon shocks for the NT700 are fully serviceable and about half the price of the Honda one. Hagon claim that they are better quality, but I can't verify that.

My rear shock is leaking. The bike is still rideable but rides like a pogo stick at the rear. I'll be replacing the shock most likely with a Hagon one when I service her in January.

mikesim · Nov 20, 2023

Hmmmmm..... my rear shock is still OK so far at 138K but I guess that's 'cause I'm slim and trim compared to you hefty olde fartz!
:rofl1:

Mike

DirtFlier · Nov 21, 2023

Most of the Honda shocks CANNOT be rebuilt because the top is welded on at the Showa factory. On most aftermarket shocks, and some Honda off-road shocks, the top is threaded into the body so they can be rebuilt
.

cliffh · Nov 21, 2023

DirtFlier said:
Most of the Honda shocks CANNOT be rebuilt because the top is welded on at the Showa factory. On most aftermarket shocks, and some Honda off-road shocks, the top is threaded into the body so they can be rebuilt
.

According to https://wilbersusa.com/services , they MAKE the shock serviceable.
The shock is cut apart and modified. A call to them is free.

Cliff

DirtFlier · Nov 21, 2023

I believe Wilbers is in the Netherlands?

My only reservation about such a mod is the cost. At some point to might be easier and better to buy a new shock. A long time ago, there was a guy who in Colorado did the same with shocks for off-road bikes but I never inquired as to the cost.

cliffh · Nov 21, 2023

Wilbers is in New Jersey.

basketcase · Nov 21, 2023

@cliffh thanks for the link to that vendor. That will likely become my recourse for getting this thing squared away.

ST1100Y · Nov 22, 2023

DirtFlier said:
I believe Wilbers is in the Netherlands?

cliffh said:
Wilbers is in New Jersey.

Actually is it a German based company...

Wilbers Products GmbH

Wilbers Products - Performance Suspension since 1985

www.wilbers.de

basketcase · Jan 4, 2024

In view of the holidays etc., I'm just now getting back to this chore.

Re -

JQL said:
Hagon shocks for the NT700 are fully serviceable and about half the price of the Honda one. Hagon claim that they are better quality, but I can't verify that.

My rear shock is leaking. The bike is still rideable but rides like a pogo stick at the rear. I'll be replacing the shock most likely with a Hagon one when I service her in January.

JQL, can you provide a link or other info to reach a supplier for those shocks?

DirtFlier · Jan 4, 2024

Several months ago, I installed a Hagon shock with remote preload adjuster on my 2013 Honda CB500F and am very pleased with it. I originally wanted to buy their low-buck model with the threaded preload adjuster at the top of the shock but it would have required shock removal to make any adjustments on my CB. The NT is even worse with access to the top impossible because it lives inside a plastic tunnel that also happens to be the bottom of the inner fender.

http://www.britcycle.com/

I was happy with the process of ordering the shock and speed of delivery from British Cycle since it has to be built in the UK and shipped here.

Sunny · Jan 4, 2024

check EPM Powersports in NJ. They repair / rebuild NT shocks.

Mike Medeiros
EPM Performance Imports
Email: sales@epmperf.com
Phone/ Fax: 732-786-9777
www.epmperf.com

Or you can buy a used shock on ebay. Typically they are <$100 but hard to get, so keep an eye out.

PapaRick · Jan 5, 2024

rc_heli_nut said:
Call this company, I had some front fork modifications done on my NT, they did great work. I believe they do repair work as well, maybe they can replace leaking seal.

https://traxxion.com/

Rear shock isn't rebuildable. That's from RaceTeck rep down here on the Gulf Coast.

Rear shock leaking oil - how to repair and/or replenish?

Growing old disgracefully