Topic: CB550F rear shock / suspension suggestion

[nbcam]

Looking  for rear shock / suspension suggestions for a 1977 CB550F. Was thinking or going with something like the RFY 320mm shock, but not sure if these are good quality and if the eye diameter on the shock will fit the frame.

Any good suggestions ??

[BassHog]

I got the GAZI shocks for my 75 550, I like them a lot and they fit great.

[Stev-o]

Very happy with the Ikons I bought.....

[cb_n00b]

Very happy with the Ikons I bought.....

Also replaced the stock rear shocks (and front springs) on my ‘77 CB550K with Ikons...It’s a world of difference.

I’ve been extremely happy with them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nbcam]

Thanks guys looking into the Ikons now

[Stev-o]

Thanks guys looking into the Ikons now

Give Nils a shout, he's a member here.  Mention SOHC, it might be worth a discount?


https://www.restocycle.com/ikon-suspension-products

[Deltarider]

Ikons are still the old Konis and that's all you need to know. No show, no glitter, simply the best.

[strynboen]

even a old used ikon/koni set ..is often better then a new china made set..and is a historic/ time/Classic korrekt retro fit

[dave500]

I have ikons now about 5/6 years old on my 500,great shock,adjustable rebound etc,if anyone rides with any spirit you really need to shelve the old stock ones or cheap copies and upgrade to rear shocks that actually work,ive used hagons aswell but ikons have that edge,these old bikes need all the help they can get on the street if you want to be able to go that little bit harder but take care,its still an old bike with meagre handling when pushed hard.

you gotta get your weight way forward and almost sit on the tank to steer hard and fast,totally the opposite of the café racer rear set scene,you gotta press the front end down!layed down and feet back might work on full speed sweepers but in the real world its only show,if ya wanna try me?

[glenncal1]

I went with progressives on my cb350f (got a great deal on a set). Haven't ridden the bike a lot since the change, but it is a world of difference with 45 year old stockers.

[Stev-o]

...but in the real world its only show,if ya wanna try me?

Would love to ride with you Dave!

[seanbarney41]

...but in the real world its only show,if ya wanna try me?

Would love to ride with you Dave!

me too!

[rtbmrgl]

I still have stock shocks on my CB500K, but I put a set of Hagon shocks on my Norton and they are very nice, compared to cheap ones that were on the bike

[slikwilli420]

you gotta get your weight way forward and almost sit on the tank to steer hard and fast,totally the opposite of the café racer rear set scene,you gotta press the front end down!layed down and feet back might work on full speed sweepers but in the real world its only show,if ya wanna try me?

You do know that rear sets are designed to get your weight forward where it needs to be for aggressive riding right? I have not seen too many race bikes without rear sets. Besides, rear sets provide the clearance needed to ride these bikes to their limits.

That said, suspension is a very important part of the bikes overall function. You should invest in a proper handling bike well before you put go-fast goodies in the engine. Get ergonomics right and suspension right and you will be noticeably faster and more in control than without them. Ikon's are very good for the price and well suited to most riding. You can spend more and get more adjustability but that is probably better suited to track days.

[seanbarney41]

ha, check out some of Dave's youtube video's and watch him shred up some roads that we don't have any thing close to here in Michigan, eating up bikes that really should not have anything to fear from a cb500...pretty sure he does not need any advice about proper riding position.



Matt, the cb500/550 stock riding position is nearly ideal for shorter guys than you.  When you sit forward right up to the tank the pegs are right under your ass with your knees nicely bent...a set of superbike bars and some good tires and the handling of the 500/550 makes the cb750 feel like a clapped out ford pickup. 

[dave500]

ha ha ha thanks sean but im just a dirt bike rider and I like to "dab"my boot off the peg and forward in hard corners,im only 5 foot four and like my weight way forward on top when pressing hard,im older now and can only haul it for about 15 minutes and im #$%*ed!ive never liked rear sets and low bars on these rougher roads will bump the bars outta your hands and most café racer souped up bikes in my calibre we come across are just cruising anyway?these 500/550s really do well in tight spots fanging 3rd/4th up and down over and over,honda got the gearing right on these!good rear shocks really help,ive only ever used stock front forks with atf and a little less oil,dunlops or sport demons are about as good as it gets for these I think?ive used every tyre we ride all year round here in queensland.

[strynboen]

think ve must be realistic..
.any 600 cc bike can eat"e a cb 500/550 any sekund..i thorth my 550 vas fast..until i tested a Kawasaki 600 tvin.
.it blov up to 170 kmt farster then my 550 can hit 100 kmt..and overtaking took sekunds..

.and you did not have to vorry if it hits a falce free gear bu kicking Down. ad full power.as the cb often does.
.and you looks like a idiot rew the tack aut of limit..and falla behind try to find 4 gear..
.
.but the relaty is that ve are the slow and bad handling bikers..and have to ride in respekt of the bad braking and acceleration auer bikes have...as a plus ve can fix all in aur motors use a hammer ..and no elektronic vill be harmed the day a atom bomb is aktivated 20 miles over aur heads...ve just ride on...
im shure all the overtakings dave made is somone vho is going inn for a pee...
ups is this not the piss off thread...sorry..ps i lioke to hammer my 550..it goes easy the ton..but most bikes does it far better..but ve have a lot of fun riding aold bike 100 feels like 200..and the cost  be taken in the kontroll is far theper as ve ride slover

[dave500]

ha ha I love you stringbean!come on down to Australia,youll get hot sticky tyres and ill chuck a shrimp on the bbq for you!

[strynboen]

yes i vill ..but my discos hurt so bad,,so be in a plane for 6/12 auers is not a possibel vay to get there..i realu like to see the mad max road..and just see evrything 4wd Toyotas..old aussie cars..yes it heigh on the list..greenland and Australia..is the Places i like to see..
if i take my boat and hammer avay..il bee there in a few years..from now...

[dave500]

plenty of mad max roads here,hire a car and drive across the nullabour plain,longest straightest road on earth!

[strynboen]

uncel terry had posted the indian kanguruu- roadkill- bbQ video...so mu appetite is gone for ever..but a cool beer..

[dave500]

bit of a thread hi jack but ive always got a cold beer for anyone who wants one,come on down,we got the best riding roads here that go forever!ive truly tried hagons and ikons and tyres on this same bike for years,ikons seem to keep the same feel,road racers don't have the changing road conditions from nice n smooth to a little bumpy to a lot bumpy to #$%* house and back again,ya cant have the bars knocked out of ya hands or the rear wheel coming of the ground over a lump,its the real world you want your rear shocks for not a nice race track.
the real world has cows aswell!

[The Sovereign Man]

I have ikons now about 5/6 years old on my 500,great shock,adjustable rebound etc,if anyone rides with any spirit you really need to shelve the old stock ones or cheap copies and upgrade to rear shocks that actually work,ive used hagons aswell but ikons have that edge,these old bikes need all the help they can get on the street if you want to be able to go that little bit harder but take care,its still an old bike with meagre handling when pushed hard.

you gotta get your weight way forward and almost sit on the tank to steer hard and fast,totally the opposite of the café racer rear set scene,you gotta press the front end down!layed down and feet back might work on full speed sweepers but in the real world its only show,if ya wanna try me?

Apologies for resurrecting a dead thread, but do you have an opinion on Gazi Sport Lite's? https://gazisuspension.com/product/sport-lite/ Similar specs (I think) to the Ikon 7610-1302 but slightly cheaper.

[rtbmrgl]

Not sure what your price limit is, but I put in Hagon  shocks on my CB500K work great, nice upgrade over stock. I put in the cheaper non-refillable variety.