Topic: Anyone running rear shocks from Partsnmore.com?

[GodFather13]

Hi Steve, was there a build thread for your F ?

Mick

No, sorry, no build thread.  I was thinking about doing something like that, but never got around to it.  The closest thing I have is this:
http://www.salocal.com/sohc/1976/stv-updt.htm
If you have any specific questions though, let me know.

Thanks for posting the pics. Looks very nice!

[remix1201]

Anyone with comments about these shocks on a 550?

I'd like to know as well.. anyone?

[snellen]

Anyone with comments about these shocks on a 550?

I'd like to know as well.. anyone?

Anyone? Bueller?

[ev0lution7]

they look like the progressive rear springs! i bet they are just a knock off

[Steve F]

The only real "problem" (not really a problem at that), was the width of the clevis at the bottom was a little too wide, and I had to fill the space with two washers per side to take up the space, th avois squeezing them together when tightening them down.

[Big Bob]

I have them and they're fine for normal everyday riding.  Someone that races would probably call them crap 

Yeah, for racing they're crap.

[Inigo Montoya]

But then anyone who races likely has some money stuck in the bike and isnt going to cheap out on shocks now are they. I doubt anyone has illusions about using these to race with except maybe the occasional street shootout.

[ev0lution7]

how about some light flogging in the canyons are they better than stock???

[MCRider]

how about some light flogging in the canyons are they better than stock???

Rule of thumb: re: our old CBs: ANYTHING is better than stock. Its just a matter of degree. This was true back when our bikes were new. Even moreso now that they have had a chance for the oil to deteriorate from age and condensation.

Suspension was a place that the OEMs could, and did, cheap out.  Since 1990 or so I would say this ROT doesn't hold, or is at least less likely to hold. ie: the modern sportbikes often come with top grade shocks.

OCICBW YMMV

[ev0lution7]

so is that to say that it would be better than say the Progressive suspensions rear shocks?? or are they about the same?

i'm not racing this bike i just want something thats better than my squeeky rear shocks that leak

[MCRider]

so is that to say that it would be better than say the Progressive suspensions rear shocks?? or are they about the same?

i'm not racing this bike i just want something thats better than my squeeky rear shocks that leak

I'm just speaking in generalities. If the Prog Susp units are $25 or more in price there is probably a reason. If they are close in price likely close in performance. Look at the diameter of the shock bodies, length of the spring, etc.

Prog Susp has the reputation of being the better brand before stepping up to the premier brands, and I think it is earned.  Most riders won't appreciate the money spent above the Prog Susp price. But there are better shocks, and the price goes parabolic.

At the low end of PS offerings, one would have to wonder if they aren't Chinese generic with different badges. Springs or shocks.

But if I were on a budget I'd buy any shock and be glad. For $75 hard to go wrong. If you can outride them, PS 12 Series can be had for $155 (msrp $202) get your GF to buy them for Christmas.

If I could pop for something in the $225 range the difference would be noticable. Above that it's like wine. You'd have to really be in to suspensions to notice the difference. But the diff is there.

OT: I've got an old high school friend living in Grass Valley, hope to get out there this summer to visit.

[ev0lution7]

i see!!!!

ya i think i'm gunna stick with the Prog sus 12series they are about $224 in crome springs and black boddies with a medium duty spring!!! i'm thinkging that for $75 i'm gunna regret buying them and want something more this is not a bike i'm fixing to sell its a bike i'm keeping and hopefully ride everyday!!!! not a semi-monthly ride but everyday so it has to hold up to some ridding!!! i think thats the final line... but i dont need something that has more adjustments and external this and that... i just want something simple and easy and wont cost more than i paid for the bike    ($400)

[tlbranth]

I got a pair on ebay that look exactly like them. They work fine but the bushings etc that came with them didn't work. i had to rummage through the junk drawers for bushings and had to use some extra spacers here and there as i recall.

[MCRider]

i see!!!!

ya i think i'm gunna stick with the Prog sus 12series they are about $224 in crome springs and black boddies with a medium duty spring!!! i'm thinkging that for $75 i'm gunna regret buying them and want something more this is not a bike i'm fixing to sell its a bike i'm keeping and hopefully ride everyday!!!! not a semi-monthly ride but everyday so it has to hold up to some ridding!!! i think thats the final line... but i dont need something that has more adjustments and external this and that... i just want something simple and easy and wont cost more than i paid for the bike    ($400)

That's it. The 12 series is the best bang for buck. 3x the Parts N More but probably 3x performance IF you use them like you say. Everyday, for years on end.

Twice the money gets about 20% better performance. And by that I mean they wouldn't fade out in a 4 hour endurance race. The 12s will hold up to anything you can do on the street.

Or so I think.

[ev0lution7]

but Part-N-More's shocks are almost $100 shipped and you can get the Prog sus, for 199.99 with black springs and shock boddies (at dynoman.net) thats 2x the price for 4x the proformance! ??

sounds like a better deal i would justify the $$$ if i was keeping the bike.... instead if i was just fixing the bike for $$$ i would see how you would just want something that would "do ok" then spend the $$ on the Parts-N-More!

thats my 2cents!!!

[Big Bob]

But then anyone who races likely has some money stuck in the bike and isnt going to cheap out on shocks now are they.

Oh boy would you be surprised.  People will cheap out in the most amazing places.

I've used the partsnmore shocks on one of my CB 750's.  While adequate for most street use I didn't like them for twisty backroads in Wisconsin.

I've had Progressives, they were worth every penny.  The race bike is currently wearing a set of Hagons, also very nice.

If you've got the money spend it, if not then buy then cheaper ones.  Anything is better than the stocks stuff which is dead of old age if nothing else.

[D-Ral]

I bought these cheap shocks and I'm sure they will be fine for now. However, I don't know what those plastic things are that came with them. And I had to file out the inside of the bushing to make them the shock stud. Anyone else find this?

[Stoli]

Picked up a pair from Cycle-X last year for $61 (shipping not included). They were on sale. I believe they are the same ones you are looking at.

Ditto on what Steve F mentioned about the need for a spacer in the bottom clevis. Also, after a few weeks one of them developed an annoying little squeak. Tracked it down to where the top spring was rubbing on the white disk between the two springs. A drop of lubricant and haven't heard from it since. As for performance, they suited my needs well. I have about 2000 miles on them and they look and feel like the day I put them on. Not a waste of money at all in my opinion, but as many have mentioned above, you tend to get what you pay for. Perfect for a budget build, but if you're dropping big money into the rest of the bike, you might as well shell out the extra $100 or so for performance shocks.

[solo 2]

I almost have to laugh when people cheap out on suspension, they drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on a "cafe racer" and then buy $75 shocks. It's the same everywhere, I used to autocross a lot and watch all the racer boys come with their modified Honda's or whatever, they were always pissed when some "old guy" with a stock car kicked their asses. Stock except some nice suspension bits. We always tell the new guys, forget about power and put that money in suspension.

I have Progressive Suspension shocks and springs in my GS1100, surprises a lot of young guys on new 600's. Do yourself a favor and go one step up, you won't regret it. Suspension and brakes can be the difference between walking away from a mistake/error in judgement/left turner and not walking away.

Also, one of the older members here made a comment about hard tails, hope that was a joke.

[Stoli]

Ahhh... That explains how that GSX1100 kicked my CB750's ass last summer. Now I know why he was laughing as well - he must have seen my rear shocks.

[D-Ral]

I almost have to laugh when people cheap out on suspension, they drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on a "cafe racer" and then buy $75 shocks. It's the same everywhere, I used to autocross a lot and watch all the racer boys come with their modified Honda's or whatever, they were always pissed when some "old guy" with a stock car kicked their asses. Stock except some nice suspension bits. We always tell the new guys, forget about power and put that money in suspension.

I have Progressive Suspension shocks and springs in my GS1100, surprises a lot of young guys on new 600's. Do yourself a favor and go one step up, you won't regret it. Suspension and brakes can be the difference between walking away from a mistake/error in judgement/left turner and not walking away.

Also, one of the older members here made a comment about hard tails, hope that was a joke.

I agree. Normally, I don't screw around with generic bits for a reason: they usually just don't cut it. Also, I come from the mountain biking industry. Suspension makes all of the difference in the world.

However, I'm relatively new to motorcycles, and all I know from riding my 750K4 last summer is that it feels like I'm riding on a big fluffy mattress. I'm 175lbs and I need something stiffer. Might as well try something cheap and get a better idea of what I want before I spend te big bucks.

I actually tried to buy Progressives through my local Honda shop, but apparently the distributer is out until who knows when. I'm glad I chose to save the money for now.

[PeWe]

It's too easy to find new expenses in this forum!
Hagons look nice.  33501TTSA- 2810 OR 33501CSA

I have Marzocchi Strada on now, look a little bit ugly. The light red color matched my bike before when it was red. Chromed shocks will look better.
I'll se how they will act after many years of sleeping. Maybe I'll repair them later on.

[Retro Rocket]

Ahhh... That explains how that GSX1100 kicked my CB750's ass last summer. Now I know why he was laughing as well - he must have seen my rear shocks.

I think you missed the point....