Shock Recommendations?

  • steell
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

30 Dec 2011 02:33
#495252
I have Progressive fork springs in my 79 750 twin and absolutely love them. Had Progressive rear shocks at one time but I specified springs that were to heavy for me and my bike. If I added 10 lbs to the seat behind me they worked great though.

I'm not really a fan of Progressive shocks though.
KD9JUR

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  • tomnagel
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

31 Dec 2011 04:18
#495415
when we have to ride in extreme cold conditions what type of engine oil is best suted for any bike in general?

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  • 750steve
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

31 Dec 2011 06:26
#495417
Heating Oil? :P
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  • Kawickrice
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

31 Dec 2011 11:21
#495433
I picked up a pair of Marzocchi on ebay for a little over $200 last year and love them. I do not see to many as of late that are reasonably priced so I feel lucky that I bought them when I did.
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  • roy-b-boy-b
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

31 Dec 2011 21:45
#495519
tomnagel wrote: when we have to ride in extreme cold conditions what type of engine oil is best suted for any bike in general?

Welcome to the forum. Start you own thread about engine oil. Just click on forum and scroll down to engine. Roy
1979 LTD Street Fighter.1977 KZ1000

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  • bountyhunter
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 03:15
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tomnagel wrote: when we have to ride in extreme cold conditions what type of engine oil is best suted for any bike in general?
10-40 synthetic. Amsoil is very good.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

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  • faffi
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 12:44
#495624
I found the Progressive fork springs too hard for my liking. Also fitted a pair of Progressive shock absorbers on an Intruder 1400 some years ago, and while they proved an improvement over stock, they had too little rebound and after only a few thousand miles had a lot less.

A German magazine recently compared several brands for the Honda CB900F and called the Ikon (former Koni) set a winner over Ohlins. I only have the conclusion, so I cannot say if the Ikons won because they cost 1/3 that of the Ohlins or if they actually performed better overall as well. I've had Konis on several bikes and find them pretty good for the price. They, too, lose rebound with time, but are adjustable and also rebuildable.

Cheap Hagons, in my experience, have too much compression and too little rebound damping - not unlike stock suspenders from the 1970s. But the Hagon mono-shock fitted to my Sprint many moons ago was fine.

Then again, people have different preferences. Even at the very top level of racing, racers are likely to require quite different settings.
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  • 650ed
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 13:23
#495628
faffi wrote: I found the Progressive fork springs too hard for my liking. Also fitted a pair of Progressive shock absorbers on an Intruder 1400 some years ago, and while they proved an improvement over stock, they had too little rebound and after only a few thousand miles had a lot less.

A German magazine recently compared several brands for the Honda CB900F and called the Ikon (former Koni) set a winner over Ohlins. I only have the conclusion, so I cannot say if the Ikons won because they cost 1/3 that of the Ohlins or if they actually performed better overall as well. I've had Konis on several bikes and find them pretty good for the price. They, too, lose rebound with time, but are adjustable and also rebuildable.

Cheap Hagons, in my experience, have too much compression and too little rebound damping - not unlike stock suspenders from the 1970s. But the Hagon mono-shock fitted to my Sprint many moons ago was fine.

Then again, people have different preferences. Even at the very top level of racing, racers are likely to require quite different settings.

Please elaborate! Where, oh where can we buy cheap Hagons? I’m sure we all would like to know! :whistle: :woohoo: In the past I've used S&W shocks and I find the Hagons work at least as well if not better (S&Ws were the hot setup in the day used by Kenny Roberts, Vetter/Rickman, and others on the track). But then I am riding a KZ650, not a 1400 Intruder or Honda CB900F, so maybe that accounts for the difference. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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  • bluej58
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 13:50
#495630
650ed said, In the past I've used S&W shocks and I find the Hagons work at least as well if not better (S&Ws were the hot setup in the day used by Kenny Roberts, Vetter/Rickman, and others on the track). Ed[/quote]

I have a pair of S&W Street Strokers on my bike now.
I haven't ridin it in twenty years :( getting her back on the road B)
Do they crap out over time ?
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  • les holt
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 14:32
#495631
Been following this hoping for an easy answer. I'm looking for an attractive shock that works. I don't slam corners but still want a fair priced working shock.
Les

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  • faffi
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 16:33 - 01 Jan 2012 19:09
#495645
650ed wrote: Please elaborate! Where, oh where can we buy cheap Hagons? I’m sure we all would like to know! :whistle: :woohoo:

Your nearest dealer will do :P Basic Hagons come sans any adjustments and cannot be rebuilt, just like the low line Progressive Suspension items. Hagon also make fully adjustable twin shocks that I reckon will be superior. Considering the difference in function and, IMO, build quality plus having the option of rebuilding them, I find Ikons to be a steal compared to just about any other shock absorber. YSS, which I haven't tried, is also supposed to make excellent shock absorbers at a reasonable price.

Wilbers, however, is in my experience - and that of several others I know of - a waste of money; not much better than stock when new and wear fast. They do cost a lot, though, and their service is reputedly great.

Still, as I've mentioned, people's preference vary. Also, especially budget products will show noticeable differences in production, meaning one shock can behave very differently to another with the same parts number.
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1980 F1 engine
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Last edit: 01 Jan 2012 19:09 by faffi.

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  • 650ed
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Re: Shock Recommendations?

01 Jan 2012 18:59
#495689
faffi wrote: [quote="650ed" post=495628Please elaborate! Where, oh where can we buy cheap Hagons? I’m sure we all would like to know! :whistle: :woohoo:

Your nearest dealer will do :P Basic Hagons come sans any adjustments and cannot be rebuilt, just like the low line Progressive Suspension items. Hagon also make fully adjustable twin shocks that I reckon will be superior. Considering the difference in function and, IMO, build quality plus having the option of rebuilding them, I find Ikons to be a steal compared to just about any other shock absorber. YSS, which I haven't tried, is also supposed to make excellent shock absorbers at a reasonable price.

Wilbers, however, is in my experience - and that of several others I know of - a waste of money; not much better than stock when new and wear fast. They do cost a lot, though, and their service is reputedly great.

Still, as I've mentioned, people's preference vary. Also, especially budget products will show noticeable differences in production, meaning one shock can behave very differently to another with the same parts number.[/quote]

I believe you are totally wrong, and I cannot imagine where you come up with such a statement. How about showing me which Hagon shocks are non-adjustable and I will eat crow, othwise I say BS. Here's the link - now show me.....

davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cg...GON_TWIN_SHOCKS.html
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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