One of the first changes people consider with the older Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and other four cylinder bikes is to lower them. Usually, just lowering the rear is sufficient for many, but one should equal the stance all around to maintain a decent handling package. Years back lowering blocks were a cheap and easy way to move the shock mounts back to lower the bike.. I tried this technique for a short time back when it was popular. However, I soon saw the problems you can have, so I opted to actually lower the suspension instead of moving the mounts.

For many years there has been shorter 11" shocks available that will lower the bike without changing the shock angle or moving the mount points. These work well in most cases. However, they are generic imports, made by one supplier and only available in one load rating. These have proven to bottom out under load and use at times. Especially when a person is riding two up. Also, they will bottom frequently under the weight of us heavier riders too..  :-) What I do to solve this is simply use 11" Harley type shocks with a stronger load capacity. However, these are 'eye to eye' type shocks and Hondas are 'eye to clevis'  type mounts.

Personally, I would disassemble the rear of the bike to remove the swing arm itself. Then I replace the lower clevis mounts with ones to match the eyelet mounts.. and reassemble the bike. I've done this with the bike assembled, but its pretty tough to get the job done clean and square without taking it apart.

Most riders really don't want to disassemble the back of the bike, have that work done and then reassemble the bike, just to lower the bike. So, I've come up with a kit of sorts that makes it pretty much of a bolt on situation, using the stock Honda mounts. You use two spacers on the top mount to move the shock outward. There's two machined adapters that thread onto the stock top mount. Then mount the lower shock eyelet on the outside of the stock lower mount on the swing arm with the bolts and shims provided. tighten these up and you should be set, sitting two inches lower and a stronger than stock load capacity. As for the ride.... Although these have a larger load capacity, they aren't much stiffer than stock shocks, really..

I have these kits available as pictured for $150, including the shocks and mount kit. I also sell the shocks alone for $100 a pair.