Topic: Best shocks for overall ride

[hillcountrymac]

I have a 1977 CB750K.I want to replace the original shocks.I don't ride it hard and want to keep the stock look.What do you guys run?I have read about the Hagons,kinda expensive what do ya'll think?

[KennyRedman]

Hagons are about the best deal out there. They're the cheapest good shock, right at $200, although some don't like that you can't rebuild them. Progressives will run about $230.

[HondaMan]

If you're thinking in terms of the wholly 'stock' look, only the repro shocks today have the chrome cover that the OEM ones sported. Pricey! Most are an open-spring design. Watch for the long lower clevis: you must have that if you wish to avoid bending your chain guard up and making it drag against the chain. Not all aftermarket shocks have the long "empty" space at the bottom of the shock to clear the chain guard, so watch for that.

[Terry in Australia]

The OEM shocks were rubbish, even back in the day. If you think Hagons are pricey, then you're not going to find "Best shocks for overall ride" for less money. I like Ikons, they are rebuildable and have adjustable damping as well as rebound, but they're twice the price of Hagons, so probably well over your budget. Cheers, Terry.

[bjbuchanan]

If you plan on keeping and riding the bike and enjoying it then get Hagons. 100$ for cheap shocks or 200$ for stuff tuned for your weight

[hillcountrymac]

Thanks for the input.

[andy750]

I have both Hagons and Progressive (Heavy Duty springs) and while different spring rates I actually prefer the Progressives for every day riding on my CB750K4. I am 215lbs and they work great for me.

Good luck
Andy

[Black 750K8]

I have both Hagons and Progressive (Heavy Duty springs) and while different spring rates I actually prefer the Progressives for every day riding on my CB750K4. I am 215lbs and they work great for me.

Good luck
Andy

Same here happy with my Progressive (Heavy Duty springs) 750 78K

[Black 750K8]

You could look at this if you go with the Progressives. Still not oem but looks a little closer. These would take the place of the black ones that come on them. If you go two up or carry a load for a long ride then go with the heavy springs.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ShopByCategory.aspx?page=3&itemsPerPage=20&name=Body&description=Shocks%2c+grab+rails%2c+turn+signals%2c+mirrors%2c+etc&category=01010205070501

[Wobbly]

The best shocks for the K7 are the Wilbers Competition. There is nothing to argue about. Without shipping, you are looking at $1,600.00.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360441374884?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
The second choice are also Wilbers for $ 1,100.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360397319810?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Third best are the last generation Koni shocks with progressive springs and numbered adjuster wheel on top.
Fourth best are the Ikons.
The stock ones were garbage. Marzocchis and Paolis would also be contemporary and quite good.

[PeWe]

........... Not all aftermarket shocks have the long "empty" space at the bottom of the shock to clear the chain guard, so watch for that.

Good input about the chain guard clearance. Hagons are OK in this matter?

[Wobbly]

Don't know about Hagons, but all the ones I mentioned will bolt on without any modifications. By the way, mentioning the chain guard: The F2 chain guard will fit perfectly on a K7, but has the advantage of coming in chrome instead of black paint (otherwise identical).

[Black 750K8]

Just bought the F68s. I can not wait to see how much better they make my $400. bike feel

[KennyRedman]

Just bought the F68s. I can not wait to see how much better they make my $400. bike feel

I bet it will feel like a $2,000 bike

[Terry in Australia]

The best shocks for the K7 are the Wilbers Competition. There is nothing to argue about. Without shipping, you are looking at $1,600.00.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360441374884?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
The second choice are also Wilbers for $ 1,100.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360397319810?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Third best are the last generation Koni shocks with progressive springs and numbered adjuster wheel on top.
Fourth best are the Ikons.
The stock ones were garbage. Marzocchis and Paolis would also be contemporary and quite good.

Why do you place old Koni's above new Ikons mate? You know that they're the same shocks, just manufactured in Oz, yeah? I'd rather buy new Ikons than used Koni's that I'd have to rebuild by now with new Ikon parts anyway? Cheers, Terry.

[Retro Rocket]

The best shocks for the K7 are the Wilbers Competition. There is nothing to argue about. Without shipping, you are looking at $1,600.00.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360441374884?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
The second choice are also Wilbers for $ 1,100.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360397319810?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Third best are the last generation Koni shocks with progressive springs and numbered adjuster wheel on top.
Fourth best are the Ikons.
The stock ones were garbage. Marzocchis and Paolis would also be contemporary and quite good.

You do realize that these shocks don't have the clevis on the bottom...? Can you get them with the clevis...?

+1 for new Ikons....  Actually, I doubt there's many people here that would ride hard enough to find fault in the Ikons. they are good shocks...

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah Mick, I said it here many years ago, and I'll say it again, putting Ohlins shocks (which are better than Wilbers) on a CB750 is like putting a mink coat on a 10 dollar hooker.

[Wobbly]

Why do you place old Koni's above new Ikons mate? You know that they're the same shocks, just manufactured in Oz, yeah? I'd rather buy new Ikons than used Koni's that I'd have to rebuild by now with new Ikon parts anyway? Cheers, Terry

I have not seen Ikons that are copies of the last generations Konis that I referred too--with the progressive springs and the numbered adjuster ring on top for fine adjustment. Correct me if I am wrong. If both are equal, being the earlier type Koni and its copy, then I would favor the Koni as being the original, contemporary part. Having to buy a new part, I would go with the Wilbers first and with the Ikons second. The Ikons are the best shocks for 1970s technology. The Wilbers are simply the best shocks--and you pay for that.

[Wobbly]

You do realize that these shocks don't have the clevis on the bottom...? Can you get them with the clevis...?

No, I don't because they do. Do you realize that Wilbers is not actually showing a different picture for each of the hundred different shocks they make? They bolt on like the original.

Yeah Mick, I said it here many years ago, and I'll say it again, putting Ohlins shocks (which are better than Wilbers) on a CB750 is like putting a mink coat on a 10 dollar hooker

Yes, especially since Ohlins does not make shocks specifically for the K7, Wilbers does. The question was: what are the best shocks for the K7. And there is only one answer to it. As always in life, you get what you pay for. With additional options, you can spend up to $ 2,000 on the Wilbers which is $ 50 more than I paid for my K7 when I bought it new in 77.

[Terry in Australia]

Okey dokey, a quick eductaion for you Wobbly. When Koni decided to cease manufacture of their motorcycle shocks, they sold the patterns, patents, machinery, spare parts etc, to Koni's Australian distributor, who continued manufacturing them under the name "Ikon", which was a "play on words" of the old "Koni" brand.

Koni's "7610" pattern shocks with adjustable damping, progressive spring rates and adjustable rebound (the ones that you're talking about) are still manufactured by Ikon, using the same part numbers as the old Konis. Ikons aren't copies, they're the same shocks, using the same patterns, and even the same machinery as Koni used, they're just made in Oz now. Cheers, Terry.

[Terry in Australia]

Yes, especially since Ohlins does not make shocks specifically for the K7, Wilbers does. The question was: what are the best shocks for the K7. And there is only one answer to it. As always in life, you get what you pay for. With additional options, you can spend up to $ 2,000 on the Wilbers which is $ 50 more than I paid for my K7 when I bought it new in 77.

Contact Mike Reick (MReick here) mate, he's got Ohlins on his CB750F. If they'll fit and F, they'll fit a K7. Cheers, Terry.

[Wobbly]

I am very well aware of what Ikons are. They took everything over but had to rearrange the name for legal reasons. But I simply have never seen the fine-adjustable type in the US or in Europe, although looking through EBay for Honda parts is one of my favorite activities. 
All I ever see the previous style.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/IKON-Federbeine-Honda-CB650-C-CB750-C-CB750-K-CB750-F1-F2-GL1000Gold-Wing-/160885973062?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item25758d2046

[Wobbly]

Look at the Oehlins web site, application list: they make them for the DOHC 750 F, not the SOHC.
http://www.oehlins.info/Oehlins-Federbein-Stossdaempferfedern/Oehlins-Motorrad-Stossdaempfer/Honda:::2101_3746_2119.html?XTCsid=utg2qi38kc4jj0ln022vgimu96

[Wobbly]

I got to go and get some sleep--it's 2:00h in the morning here, I would love to discuss this with you in a pub over a beer. But this is pretty cool too though.
Here is the link for the Wilbers--in case you win the lottery:
http://www.wilbers-shop.de/Motorrad/Honda/CB-750-Four-K7-CB750/Typ-633-TS-Competition-S.html?manufacturer=4o0d6ab0891628058c54b8c9de416c1f&year=1977&catname=st2e2427a0571bbd8b0b1481fc9c9d7f

Cheers,
Tom

[Terry in Australia]

No worries Tom, I have to go out and replace the water pump on my Subaru, but when I come back I might start an oil thread.......... Cheers, Terry.