Topic: Assessing Rear Shock Life: How?

[Sigop]

Riding a 1973 750 since I bought it,  Sits at 49,000 miles.  Original rear shocks still on it.

How do I know if they are past their life expectancy?  They are all I have ever felt back there so if they have worn out over time it is with me on it and i haven't really noticed.

There is still bounce in the back, even under load.  The ratchet settings for tension are all still tight to adjust.

Not looking to replace just for the sake of something newer, because I do like stock original.

Other than "Well how does it feel when you ride it, dummy?", any way to assess they are at 30, 50 80% of their life?

Thanks, folks.

[Ridem32]

I️ would say for the age of them they are fine. I️ would keep the bike original.  Did you buy it new?


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[seanbarney41]

Imo, they were trash when they were brand new.  I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but don't feel too bad, I think Yamahas and Kawasaki's of the era had much worse.  I also realize you probably are not out there trying to shave down your lap times...

A couple things to consider...
1.  I bet  in 40 years of ownership you have had to change your front fork oil at least once, hopefully several times, or you have witnessed the rebuilding of a long neglected set of front forks...the smell alone should tell you..."Something Wrong!"  Now realize that the rear shocks operate in a very similar fashion to the front forks...but they are not rebuildable.
2.  Your rear shocks are an important part of being able to control your motorcycle safely, even if you just ride around "normally".  Ever have difficulty cornering or braking on a bumpy surface?  I know that you do, even if you don't realize it.  This IS a safety issue, if you actually ride your bike.  Sure, your shocks still bounce.  I'm sure they always have and always will.  The real question is how and when will they stop bouncing.

[CycleRanger]

I generally agree with Sean, especially the handling part.
The problem with shocks is the performance degrades so slowly you probably can't tell how bad they are now compared to when they were new.
The shocks still bounce but there's probably not a lot of dampening any more.
Also, there's no comparison between the performance of modern shocks and 44-year-old-49K-mile shocks.

There's a lot of new shocks available that have same appearance as the stock Honda shocks.

That being said, my K5 still has the original shocks and I know they're bad but I'm still riding on them anyway.

[spotty]

as per the above, they were crap when new, even the Clymer manual (book of lies) states they're all used up by 10K miles.
have you ever seen excessive goop build up on them or brake side of the swingarm (it would be on the chain side as well but that just looks like chain oil )? that would have been the oil inside them leaking out. I knew my Progressives were shot when I saw new puddles of oil directly under them on the ground
as i'm sure you've seen there are many options for replacement from a hundred dollars or so up to several thousand, three to four hundred should get you something effective, rebuildable and probably standard looking. Ikon, Koni and Progressive all do stuff in that range
the cheaparse ebay ones (80 - 120 dollars) are generally crap but can be sorted with a good rebuild and can be done to suit your own weight, bike and riding style, should cost about the same as a pair of Ikons or similar that will be set to a generic level
 have a look here -
http://chrislivengood.net/wp/rfy-shocks-technical-library/

[Lostboy Steve]

I have a set of original showas on my 550. They don’t leak and still have dampening. A lot of guys say they were junk when new, and maybe they were, but mine have been fine. I’m not dragging a knee with them.


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[Ridem32]

Agree with lostboy Steve.  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks.  Keep it original and ride it.


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[seanbarney41]

  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks. 


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Possibly the most retarded post I have ever seen on this site.

[Stev-o]

2.  Your rear shocks are an important part of being able to control your motorcycle safely, even if you just ride around "normally".  Ever have difficulty cornering or braking on a bumpy surface?  I know that you do, even if you don't realize it. 

This is how I determine how good (or bad) my shoals are.   One of my favorite roads has a fun high speed sweeper that just happens to have a bump in the middle of it.   If riding one of my bikes with poor shocks, the rear end of the bike will continue to bounce after hitting the bump causing a momentary slight loss of control (racers call it a "moment").

As stated above, some manufacturers have shocks that appear OEM, no they won't be original, but will perform better than original.   

[slikwilli420]

Agree with lostboy Steve.  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks.  Keep it original and ride it.


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I'm with Sean. Not only is this not true at all but couldn't be further from the truth. A small investment in suspension will pay off in spades the more you ride the bike. Especially spirited riding. It's also a safety issue.

[TwoTired]

The expectation for new Honda shocks was about 15000 miles to replacement.

It takes some work, but you can test your shocks for proper function.
Remove them from the bike (you can do one at a time), remove the spring, and actuate the piston rod by hand while the shock is upright.  If you can feel resistance to movement in both directions, it's a good sign they still damp oscillations.  You can also feel if they operate smoothly for the entire stroke in both directions.  If they "skip" or bind during the stroke, they need renewal.

The damping action can vary from very hard and slow to move to "was that a wet noodle".  I think racers favor adjustable damping shocks to tune for their needs and track conditions.

Cheers,

[CycleRanger]

  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks. 

Possibly the most retarded post I have ever seen on this site.

..........Only if you haven't seen the thread discussing the recent Sutherland Springs shooting. 

[Ridem32]

  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks. 


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Possibly the most retarded post I have ever seen on this site.

Lol.   It’s a 40 year old bike even if he bought new OEM shocks for his bike he would not see any difference in handling.  We rode them new back in the day and back then they rode great.  New bikes today ride and handle lots better no comparison at all.


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[slikwilli420]

  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks. 


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Possibly the most retarded post I have ever seen on this site.

Lol.   It’s a 40 year old bike even if he bought new OEM shocks for his bike he would not see any difference in handling.  We rode them new back in the day and back then they rode great.  New bikes today ride and handle lots better no comparison at all.


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Repeating something that is wrong over and over doesn't make it true. These shocks were hardly adequate back then and have tons of room for improvement. Why would anyone ever upgrade suspension if this were true?

Why do you suppose new bikes handle so well? Better suspension is one big reason.

[Ridem32]

He has a original 1973 750.  Getting rare seems like most everyone on here has upgraded there shocks. I️ would leave my 73 original hard to find them all original that’s all I’m saying. He did not say his bike jumps all around. He ask how could he tell if his shocks was bad or getting bad as he could not seem to determine by riding it.  I️ said ride it keep it original.  His bike looks to be in great shape.


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[seanbarney41]

You said new shocks would not improve handling.  That's just absolutely not true.

Nothing wrong with not caring about "handling".(except that a poor handling bike is less safe than one that handles better)  Just say so.

So put the original shocks in a box and go for a ride with a nice new set of Hagons(pull the Hagon sticker off and I bet most would be hard pressed to see the difference).  Easy enough to put the stockers back on for the Concourse or when it's time to sell.

[Kevin D]

Sigop, l replaced my decent looking but poor performing OE shocks a couple years back after having a "moment" as Stev-o described: the bike was leaned over in a bumpy corner, the rear end started pogoing. I will never forget that corner on  Dexter-Chelsea Road.
 I was able to disengage the spring keepers by hand to perform the test as TwoTired suggests. Not only were the springs wimpy but both shocks had zero damping.
 I got the new Hagons that resemble the OE as Sean has mentioned and no more ugly "moments".
 We also have a member here, is it NobleHops ??, offering discounted Ikons to Sohc4 members.

EDIT: Yes it's Noblehops: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163109.0.html

[PeWe]

Anyone tried the replica shocks? I have a new set for my CB750 K2 build.  (spring adj in 5 steps)
I'll know next season if I had got all parts together.

I have Ikon shocks (setting 2,2) on my K6 which work fine, fork is very soft but handles very well despite higher speeds. I know that too stiff,  more pre-load (longer spacer) will cause wobble. Bike does not jump around the road for a sudden bump.

Fork springs can be in need of restore too. Progressive suspension is one brand still in production, I got mine 1989.

[dave500]

i have adjustable ikons on my 73 500,ive used hagons aswell on 500s,if you have those shocks off put them on the shelf and get new shocks full stop,the bike will handle better which is always dependant on how you ride.

[Airborne 82nd]

You said new shocks would not improve handling.  That's just absolutely not true.

Nothing wrong with not caring about "handling".(except that a poor handling bike is less safe than one that handles better)  Just say so.

So put the original shocks in a box and go for a ride with a nice new set of Hagons(pull the Hagon sticker off and I bet most would be hard pressed to see the difference).  Easy enough to put the stockers back on for the Concourse or when it's time to sell.

+1 I wonder if he feels the same about tires and brakes? 

[my name is nobody]

I had a lady back out of her driveway in front of me about a year ago, and had to do a panic stop.
When you have no damping from o.e. shocks during a panic situation, in a straight line, the front of the bike dives from the sudden application of the front brake. At the same time, the rear of the bike, raises. INSTANTLY.
Not a good thing. Know the risk your taking when you run original shocks. By this point in time,
they're just going along for the ride. I learned the hard way. I now run reconditioned konis, with my o.e. springs
and shrouds. They work well, are adjustable, and look stock. Koni's come up on ebay once and a while. a guy
in Omaha rebuilds them.

[strynboen]

to test old shocks.

..take the spring off..and pump them together and pull them open..they must not take air and get easy/free to move..if they have a light spot..move easy..there is missing oil..and there are suckt air in the damping mekanism..
i have splitted mine and filled in atf oil ..but dont overfill..it vill make them stone hard..just fill to it feels right..and leave a bit ekstra aut..
not all types can be splitted..had to drill and tap a fill hole in my cbx types..

[Stev-o]

  Your bike will not handle any better with new shocks. 


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Possibly the most **** post I have ever seen on this site.

It’s a 40 year old bike even if he bought new OEM shocks for his bike he would not see any difference in handling. 

Plz stop giving bad/incorrect advice.   

[Dunk]

If you really want it original you should follow TwoTired's advise to disassemble and test for proper function. If they're good, keep using them. I think some have documented a way to at least change the fluid in original style shocks, drilling a hole, tap, flush, fill. Might have been for smaller bikes though? Either way, worn out shocks will feel more bouncy over bumps, the bike will not be as well settled which can be dangerous in corners particularly.

If you want original appearance, I run Ikon shocks on my bike as they appear nearly identical to the factory units. Shorter spring cover and slightly different top attachment but at a glance they look original and work WAY better then my old originals did.

[ekpent]

 One of my K1's had a pogo stick on the rear end,a definite sign your shocks have lost damping, all spring---