Rear Shocks (Factory Style) | Honda CB175 / CL175 / CB200
Forty years on, the original rear shocks feel more like pogo sticks than dampers — the spring sags, the damping oil is long gone, and every bump pitches the back end. These factory-style rear shocks are our stock replacement for the small Honda twins: the closest match to the original Honda shock, sold as a pair.
Why You Need This
Worn shocks let the rear end wallow, bottom out over bumps, and chatter the tire through corners. Our factory-style shocks are the entry point in our rear-shock lineup — the closest shock to the original Honda part, chrome with a chrome spring and a standard spring-preload adjuster. They bolt straight on and bring back a controlled, factory-correct ride.
Choose them with the classic chrome shroud covering the spring, or with the spring left exposed — both are the same shock, with the same mounts and the same fitment. For rebuildable shocks with adjustable rebound, step up to our Ikon CB175 / CB200 shocks.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Parts | 52400-454-000, 52400-315-000XW, 52400-315-000XWP |
| Fits Models | CB175 / CL175 (1968–1973), CB200 / CB200T (1973–1976), CL200 (1974) |
| Sold As | Pair (one left, one right) |
Dimensions
| Measurement | Value |
|---|
| Eyelet to Clevis Eyelet (center-to-center) | 12.25" (31.1 cm) |
| Upper Eyelet ID | 0.63" (16mm) |
| Upper Eyelet Width | 1.02" (26mm) |
| Clevis Inside Width | 0.8" (19mm) |
| Clevis Bolt Thread | M8 |
Note: These use a 0.63" (16mm) upper eye and an M8 clevis. The larger CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB550 factory-style shocks use a smaller 9.5mm eye and an M10 clevis — a different mount, so check yours before swapping between the two.
Installation
Difficulty: Beginner
Tools needed: A wrench for the 8mm lower bolt and the 10mm upper cap nut, plus a spanner to set the spring preload.
- Before fitting, knock the metal spacer out of the upper rubber bushing — it isn’t used.
- Grease the rubber bushings with bearing grease so they slide onto the frame mounts more easily.
- Bolt the shocks on with the eyelet end up and the clevis end down — an 8mm bolt at the bottom, a 10mm cap nut up top.
- Set the spring preload for your weight — tighter if you ride two-up. With you seated on the bike, the shock should compress about 20–30% of its travel. Measure travel from the bottom of the rubber bumper on the chrome tube down to the piston seal on the lower body, and turn the preload collar one notch at a time to dial it in.
Our rear-shock adjustment video walks through setting preload and sag.
Our rear-shock overview video shows the Ikon’s rebound adjustment and a full rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these fit my SL175?
No. The SL175 used a longer rear shock that’s unique to that model — its shock spring is 8.52" long versus 7.41" on the CB / CL175 — so these won’t fit it. We do not currently carry a direct-fit SL175 rear shock; fitting CB175-length shocks means deliberately running the rear shorter than stock.
Will these fit my bike?
They fit the CB175 / CL175 (1968–1973), CB200 and CB200T (1973–1976), and CL200 (1974). They do not fit the CL160 or the SL175. For the bigger CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB550 twins, use our CB350–CB550 factory-style shocks.
Should I get the shroud or no-shroud version?
It’s purely a styling choice. The shroud is a chrome cover over the spring; the no-shroud version leaves the spring exposed. Both are the same shock with the same mounts, fitment, and dimensions — pick whichever matches your bike’s look.
How do I set the preload?
Set it for your weight: with you seated on the bike, the shock should compress about 20–30% of its travel. Turn the lower preload collar one notch at a time — tighter for a heavier rider or when carrying a passenger.
What’s the difference between these and the Ikon shocks?
These factory-style shocks are our straightforward stock replacement with a standard spring-preload adjuster. The Ikon shocks are a premium, rebuildable upgrade with adjustable rebound damping — a direct step up for the same CB175 / CL175 / CB200 family.
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Last updated: June 2026
