Topic: Honda CB750 buying used shocks - good idea or bad idea??

[M 750K6]

Unlike Ikons, Hagons are only adjustable for preload. However, the shock is built specifically for the CB750K and for your weight, which they ask before putting the shock together for you. I only ride solo and enjoy riding swiftly on local country lanes, which is quite demanding on suspension. The Hagons have been good.
https://hagon-shocks.co.uk/product/cb750-k1-k7-33501cc1-2/

[bryanj]

Hagons are basicaly the old Girlings but probably made better.

[MauiK3]

I have Hagons on my K3 750. I'm not an aggressive rider, they seem to work well.

[pickleknuckles]

Perhaps there are some on the forum who are nimble quick reflexes small  test bike riders who ride  their CB750 on a test track scraping the pegs in the turns at super high speeds at over 200km per hour

But I am an old slow retired fat man who rides his bike only to the local 7-11 to buy a box of glazed jelly doughnuts.   I don't need high performance shocks but shocks that can carry the heavy weight of the bike, my fat ass, and a box of doughnuts  . . .  and not bottom out or bounce around. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5b2uSvJBHw

It sounds like Hagon is the best way to go for what you're after.
They're built for the bike and your weight.
My K4 isn't quite on the road yet but I've got Hagons w the bell top cover and other than the progressive spring winding, and shorter cover, you only really notice they're not stock because 'Hagon' is cast into the lock ring.

I haven't tried but I'm pretty sure you can disassemble them, flip the springs so the prog end is hidden, and use the original Honda bell covers, and maybe even the original Honda lock rings.

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[PeWe]

If this is as good as my Ikons with progressive springs. Lower price in black and no chrome cap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364154549957

[kyle750]

Many thanks for all the very helpful advice.  Looks like there are not many options with replacement shocks. There are a lot of inexpensive  aftermarket shocks that have the right vintage look but they are questionable quality and I am not willing to risk riding with inferior shocks - No Way!    The Hagons look to be a qood quality and an excellent value replacement that should provide many years of stable, comfortable, and safe riding.   Perhaps other CB750s that have been beautifully restored deserve the higher quality original Honda Ikon and Koni shocks but they are too expensive for me and this bike.

I will continue looking and see what pops up for sale. Thank You!

[bryanj]

The original title says "used" shocks and i dont think thats a good idea at all unless you personally remove them from a low mileage less than 12 month old bike and that would finding chromed rocking horse poo

[kyle750]

What I find fascinating is starting a journey with little or no knowledge (in this case shocks) and with the help of many experienced and generous CB750 owners the road leads to a new place that you never knew existed before.

I just received a private message inviting me to another forum to learn about rebuilding original Honda Koni shocks.  According to the message

but you'll see that these konis are fairly simple to restore. once you get the hang of it, you can pick up old, stiff konis at swapmeets for cheap, invest a rainy sunday afternoon of work and be out riding comfortably on monday...

Thank You Sir for the Invitation!  I will be joining in!  I am curious and have nothing to lose!

[newday777]

"but you'll see that these konis are fairly simple to restore. once you get the hang of it, you can pick up old, stiff konis at swapmeets for cheap, invest a rainy sunday afternoon of work and be out riding comfortably on monday..."

What he didn't say is that the parts are scarce to find for the old Koni shocks......

[BenelliSEI]

I bought a set of these from DSS.
There was some talk on this forum about how bad they were.
That was not my experience. They look great and seem perfectly firm.  I'm 220#

https://www.davidsilverspares.com/CB550K1-1975-USA/part_70634/

Totally agree. I use similar shocks from vintagecb750.com on my cb750K1 and they work just fine. They look right too. Unless you’re planning a major long distance ride or “track days”, they work just fine and will probably outlast us all.

[bryanj]

Honda never fitted Koni shocks, they were always an aftermarket, expensive but excellant, option

[PeWe]

One thing I have learned is buying cheap can end up in buying/doing twice. ;-D

A forum like this is a good place to gather the experiences many bike owners have of various parts.

I had a pair of Konis I got cheap in the early 80's. Maybe I used them 3 seasons.
I should have kept them for the future 30-40 years ahead instead of selling them even cheaper when I bought the Marzocchi's.
But they had no dampening setting what I can recall.

One thing is clear, parts, stock Honda  as well as  aftermarket/tuning stuff cost a lot more today than 5-6 years ago.  On top of that a bad currency conversion, USD and Euro cost +20-30%
10 years ago is just around the corner.

[69cb750]

Showa

[PeWe]

I have those stickers too

[bryanj]

To adjust the damping on Konis you had to remove the springs, push the damper rod all the way in and locate an unseen pen in an invisible hole then you could click adjust the dampening by rotating rod

[kyle750]

I found these Showa stickers (also pretty cool)