Honda Superhawk front suspension setup

dennism · 05-01-2013, 09:37 PM

Can anyone point me towards a guide for setting up the front forks on a Honda Superhawk - the 1000 V-Twin?

I know the basics on setting sag, but I don't know what Honda recommends about setting the damping adjustment.

I would at least like to know the basic settings, and go from there for my personal needs.

Yamarocket630 · 05-02-2013, 06:53 AM

All it's got is rebound damping and preload adjustment. Turn the rebound adjuster in until it doesnt feel like a pogo sticker over bumps. Unless you weigh 150lbs or less the springs are too soft too.

LuciferMutt · 05-03-2013, 02:17 PM

Got an owner's manual? It will tell you how to set to factory settings, and then you can tweak from there.

Best advice I can give you is to only change one setting at a time, and only change it a little at a time. This way you know what change caused what effect. Don't go messing with both the rebound and the preload at the same time or you'll drive yourself nuts.

hpsVFR · 05-03-2013, 03:47 PM

It's worth noting that I've never heard of factory rebound adjustments having much effect. I tried adjusting the CBR600 cartridges that I put into my VFR, and noticed no difference from full soft to full hard. I left them at 'soft', and planned on them being effective after I had the front end revalved.

YMMV, of course.

dennism · 05-03-2013, 05:17 PM

Thanks guys, for your help.

I don't have an owner's manual, which is why I asked.

I am really hoping for a link to where I can read copies from a workshop manual, so I can better understand how they work.

Yamarocket and HPS, are you sure that SuperHawk forks are only fitted with rebound dampers? From my experience with other Hondas, I know that they usually have rebound damping in one fork, and compression damping in the other. By trying the cartridges from another SuperHawk, I'm sure they were opposites, one damping in each direction.

My hope is to find out exactly how they work, and how to get them to the basic starting setup position, and then I can adjust to suit me from there.

While I'm on that subject, does anyone have a similar link that willl explain to me how the electronic steering dampers that come on recent CBR600 and 1000 work?

Anyone??

dennism · 05-04-2013, 05:02 PM

I spent a little time on Google today and was able to find aanswers to both my questions in the Honda manuals.

Yamarocket you are right, adjustable rebound damping only. Compression damping is done by oil viscosity and height in the tube.

Thanks guys.

05-01-2013, 09:37 PM	#1
dennism ^OP dennism Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas, USA Oddometer: 91	Honda Superhawk front suspension setup Can anyone point me towards a guide for setting up the front forks on a Honda Superhawk - the 1000 V-Twin? I know the basics on setting sag, but I don't know what Honda recommends about setting the damping adjustment. I would at least like to know the basic settings, and go from there for my personal needs.

05-03-2013, 02:17 PM	#3
LuciferMutt Rides slow bike slow Joined: Aug 2008 Location: New(er) Mexico Oddometer: 9,521	Got an owner's manual? It will tell you how to set to factory settings, and then you can tweak from there. Best advice I can give you is to only change one setting at a time, and only change it a little at a time. This way you know what change caused what effect. Don't go messing with both the rebound and the preload at the same time or you'll drive yourself nuts. __________________ You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitro glycerin plant! Cobbie Award Winner

05-03-2013, 03:47 PM	#4
hpsVFR Hoosier Daddy Joined: May 2006 Location: Gray's Harbor Oddometer: 1,054	It's worth noting that I've never heard of factory rebound adjustments having much effect. I tried adjusting the CBR600 cartridges that I put into my VFR, and noticed no difference from full soft to full hard. I left them at 'soft', and planned on them being effective after I had the front end revalved. YMMV, of course. __________________ No longer riding.

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05-02-2013, 06:53 AM	#2
Yamarocket630 Lurker Joined: Sep 2011 Location: M-boro, TN Oddometer: 114	All it's got is rebound damping and preload adjustment. Turn the rebound adjuster in until it doesnt feel like a pogo sticker over bumps. Unless you weigh 150lbs or less the springs are too soft too.

05-03-2013, 05:17 PM	#5
dennism ^OP dennism Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas, USA Oddometer: 91	Thanks guys, for your help. I don't have an owner's manual, which is why I asked. I am really hoping for a link to where I can read copies from a workshop manual, so I can better understand how they work. Yamarocket and HPS, are you sure that SuperHawk forks are only fitted with rebound dampers? From my experience with other Hondas, I know that they usually have rebound damping in one fork, and compression damping in the other. By trying the cartridges from another SuperHawk, I'm sure they were opposites, one damping in each direction. My hope is to find out exactly how they work, and how to get them to the basic starting setup position, and then I can adjust to suit me from there. While I'm on that subject, does anyone have a similar link that willl explain to me how the electronic steering dampers that come on recent CBR600 and 1000 work? Anyone??

05-04-2013, 05:02 PM	#6
dennism ^OP dennism Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas, USA Oddometer: 91	I spent a little time on Google today and was able to find aanswers to both my questions in the Honda manuals. Yamarocket you are right, adjustable rebound damping only. Compression damping is done by oil viscosity and height in the tube. Thanks guys.