Author Topic: restore old shocks or toss out??  (Read 13132 times)

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Offline messeduptriple

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #25 on: January 12, 2012, 07:26:34 PM »
Well I was told 10lb oil. What's the difference? Is there any fork kits that will be an upgrade to my stock forks??

Offline messeduptriple

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #26 on: January 12, 2012, 07:30:16 PM »
I do wanna hit some twisties.

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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #27 on: January 13, 2012, 09:43:36 AM »
Yeah, new front springs are probably in order, odds are your old springs need replacing along with the fork oil.
 
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Offline messeduptriple

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #28 on: January 13, 2012, 09:19:21 PM »
Heres some pics of original I cleaned up last nite. I was gonna junk these at first but now what???  Are these sellable?? If they ride like crap who would want them?? If there still ok ill toss them back on I guess but I want some reliable ones for sure.

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Offline messeduptriple

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #29 on: January 14, 2012, 08:53:32 AM »
Are these in high demand...meaning the older original shocks?? I also have the original exhaust I was thinkn of cleaning up and selling. My question is will it be worth it ? Will I get some good cash back? Or is it maybe a small amount of cash and just a pain in the ass??

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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #30 on: January 14, 2012, 02:56:27 PM »
The pipes will get some coin if they are in reasonable condition, the shocks can still be bought new and weren't that good in the first place. Are you able to see what the stickers say on the bottom of those shocks, they may not even be Honda shocks....
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #31 on: January 14, 2012, 03:07:17 PM »
Heres some pics of original I cleaned up last nite. I was gonna junk these at first but now what???  Are these sellable?? If they ride like crap who would want them?? If there still ok ill toss them back on I guess but I want some reliable ones for sure.

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Hey triple,
     Why don't you save those O.E. parts and when you're bike is 100% mint restored to Original fresh condition some day you can re-install those parts & enter it in a Classic Bike show when you have the time;the finish on those shocks are Beautiful ;) and if the pipes are as good you may even win.
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  I love the small ones too !
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Offline messeduptriple

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #32 on: January 14, 2012, 03:22:34 PM »


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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #33 on: January 14, 2012, 03:31:35 PM »
Cool, i have had around 20 of these old bikes and never seen the showa sticker on the shock, they would be stock... ;) 
750 K2 1000cc
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If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #34 on: January 14, 2012, 03:31:53 PM »
Those are Original Equipment Honda Shocks :).
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #35 on: January 14, 2012, 03:39:11 PM »
The standard shockers were rubbish 40 years ago, and unlike fine wine, they don't improve with age. How many folks here would even consider trying to recondition the shocks on a 40 year old car?

To say that if the damping action still feels good then the shocks are still good is naive, because you're assuming that the 40 year old rubber seals are still fine, and the damping is being done by nice clean 40 year old damping oil, when in truth it's probably rusty water that has seeped past the seals over the last 40 years.

I pulled a pair of 10 year old Koni's apart that seemed to work ok, and was horrified to find that the oil reservoir and damping mechanism was full of rusty mud. As has been said previously, cleaning the rust off your springs is not reconditioning anything, it's just a cosmetic cleanup, and your shocks are still crap.

I know times are tough in the US and everyone's watching their dollars right now, but when buying shocks, which are a safety item just like tires or brake pads, you should buy the best you can afford, and if you can't afford good shocks, then you should ride very, very, carefully. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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Offline messeduptriple

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #36 on: January 14, 2012, 03:40:11 PM »
Ok so what should I do with them?? What is the value of them ruffly? Should I toss them back on and enjoy a coin toss ride on rear suspension??

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Offline messeduptriple

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Re: Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #37 on: January 14, 2012, 03:45:13 PM »
The standard shockers were rubbish 40 years ago, and unlike fine wine, they don't improve with age. How many folks here would even consider trying to recondition the shocks on a 40 year old car?

To say that if the damping action still feels good then the shocks are still good is naive, because you're assuming that the 40 year old rubber seals are still fine, and the damping is being done by nice clean 40 year old damping oil, when in truth it's probably rusty water that has seeped past the seals over the last 40 years.

I pulled a pair of 10 year old Koni's apart that seemed to work ok, and was horrified to find that the oil reservoir and damping mechanism was full of rusty mud. As has been said previously, cleaning the rust off your springs is not reconditioning anything, it's just a cosmetic cleanup, and your shocks are still crap.

I know times are tough in the US and everyone's watching their dollars right now, but when buying shocks, which are a safety item just like tires or brake pads, you should buy the best you can afford, and if you can't afford good shocks, then you should ride very, very, carefully. Cheers, Terry. ;D
I guess that sounds right. Are those 100$ shocks ok?? Or I forgot what the goods ones are. I'm looking at maybe spending 250$-3.
I guess I don't want super shocks cause I'm only using this bike for fun travel but wouldn't mind them being a bit aggressive. I know ohlins is a very good brand..I had the ohlins triple clicker on the trackbike and that shock was a world of a differnce. I sadly sold it to buy my 76 550 and some side cash. That's ok though.  ;)

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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #38 on: January 14, 2012, 03:57:41 PM »
Personally i would look at either Ikon's or Hagons, Ikon used to be Koni and are now made in Australia, great shocks for the money and are available in the States, fully rebuildable as well, there are a few different models in the Ikons as well and they still make the older style 7610's that were very popular in the 70's-80's..... Never used the Hagons but they are supposed to be similar to the Ikon shocks and are made in England....
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If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline TwoTired

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #39 on: January 14, 2012, 05:06:01 PM »
Ok so what should I do with them?? What is the value of them ruffly? Should I toss them back on and enjoy a coin toss ride on rear suspension??

Yours sure look nice, and I'd sure be tempted to use what you have.  I bought new ones from Honda, and I find they work fine for general street use.  I wouldn't race with them.  But, I harbor no illusions that my bikes are "race bikes".

It's not that hard to remove the springs and find out if they have smooth damping, if they behave the same side to side, etc.  That is the only way I know to tell if they are still serviceable, to my mind.  I still have some sick ones out in the shop.  I also have some old Koni's that are crap, but they are 750 length (came with a hacked 550).

Sure, if you have money to burn, or are going to push the performance limits frequently, then you won't want originals.  But, if they still work, then why not use them?

It's not easy getting proper shocks/springs for the 550.  Many will tell you that 750 parts work.  But that's a yarn, imo.  Usually shock/springs intended for the 750's weight and ride height are sold to fit the 550.  550 shocks are shorter, and the weight is lower.  Yeah, you can put them on and drive, but they aren't in any way correct for the 550, 'cause they push the swing arm father down and help make the bike shimy, as it change the rake angle on the front.

So, if you get non-stock shocks, make sure they have the proper extended and collapsed lengths.  Also make sure the spring height/rate is for the weight of your bike and rider(s).  If you settle for longer/ stiffer types, be prepared the then revive the front forks, to with stiffer springs and higher ride heights.

I like to ride my 550s with the shock travel at about 1/3 of extension length with me on it and straight up (1G load).  This allows for compression without bottoming on most bumps and allows for the added loads on the springs while in a leaned over turn (adds to G load, and makes the bike squat some).
It's pretty seldom I get "air" under the wheels to hit the shock extent bumpers.

Hope this helps,
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #40 on: January 14, 2012, 09:26:55 PM »
Quote
Many will tell you that 750 parts work.  But that's a yarn, imo.  Usually shock/springs intended for the 750's weight and ride height are sold to fit the 550.  550 shocks are shorter, and the weight is lower.  Yeah, you can put them on and drive, but they aren't in any way correct for the 550, 'cause they push the swing arm father down and help make the bike shimy, as it change the rake angle on the front.

Most reputable shock companies have a number of different spring rates for their shocks, so it is as simple as telling them the weight of the bike and rider, also raising the rear slightly will decrease rake slightly and it slightly decreases trail which won't make much difference, slightly speeding up steering.
You don't have to ride these old girls extremely hard to know that the stock shocks are not very good and they are also a one size fits all approach,  which kinda contradicts what you are saying about other shocks {weight and so on} .... If your bike shimmies with longer shocks then look at swing arm bushes and steering head bearings, most serious racers use longer shocks and raise the rear slightly, i'm sure that they wouldn't do it at all if it caused the bikes to shimmy....  There's a really good article on the forum i read yesterday {i was googling something else and came across it in a search}  buy a guy that was know well for his bike setups and wrote many articles on 70's bikes, one of the first things he recommended with the old Hondas to improve handling was to put decent shocks on.

Edit, decreasing rake will slightly decrease trail not increase....
« Last Edit: January 15, 2012, 02:34:48 PM by Retro Rocket »
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #41 on: January 15, 2012, 12:45:43 AM »
I guess that sounds right. Are those 100$ shocks ok?? Or I forgot what the goods ones are. I'm looking at maybe spending 250$-3.
I guess I don't want super shocks cause I'm only using this bike for fun travel but wouldn't mind them being a bit aggressive. I know ohlins is a very good brand..I had the ohlins triple clicker on the trackbike and that shock was a world of a differnce. I sadly sold it to buy my 76 550 and some side cash. That's ok though.  ;)


As has been said before mate, you get what you pay for. The 100 buck shocks are crap, but the Hagons are really good value at around 250.

"Brand Name" shock manufacturers will have a specific shock for your model, not a "One size fits all" like Lloyd was talking about, usually with the cheapo shocks. Like Mick says, you can order different rate springs from Ikon when you order your shocks, and I'm betting Hagon are the same.

Ohlins are superb, but you don't need them, as I've said before, putting 1000 dollar shocks on a SOHC4 is like buying a Mink  coat for a 10 dollar hooker. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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Offline Danno

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Re: restore old shocks or toss out??
« Reply #42 on: January 15, 2012, 03:34:40 AM »
if they dampen ok and they are not leaking I would try to clean them up and use them if you feel like the rear of the bike is dancing around add more preload by turning the star wheel under the spring after you have ridden a while if turns feel like the rear is scooting at all replace them if not they are probably fine for your riding stile I do not replace anything I do not have to as there are plenty of other things to spend your money on like paint  chrome polish and sometimes wiring not to mention carb cleaning and synching those are sure pretty after you cleaned them If you are not going to use them Ill give you 20 bucks and another 15 for shipping if you don't want them
« Last Edit: January 15, 2012, 03:37:47 AM by Danno »
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