Author Topic: What better rear shocks can I use? (Read 6769 times)

50words · « **on:** June 21, 2005, 08:26:12 PM »

I have a generally stock '77 CB750 Super Sport. The rear shocks give a terrible ride, and inspire nothing resembling confidence when cornering. I would like to upgrade. What should I consider? I would imagine Goldwing shocks would give a nicer, yet still firm, ride on this lighter bike, but I'm not sure they would fit. School me, please.

scondon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2005, 10:38:21 PM »

When I first got my Super Sport it was a nice soft ride going over bumps but cornered like a rowboat in an ocean liners wake. When I adjusted the shocks to the top notch position I could feel every bump in the road go right up my spine, but cornering improved dramatically. Good tires and a "snug" swingarm are just as, if not more, important for inspiring confidence in cornering IMHO. I haven't tried bronze bushings but I've used needle bearings in the swingarm and they are worth every penny. I bought a set of affordable? Progressive shocks w/heavy duty springs for the bike I'm putting together but it'll be another couple of months (fingers crossed) before I can report on their effectiveness.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2005, 10:58:54 PM »

Whatever you do don't use the OEM shocks off a different model, as a general rule, they are all crap! Sean's progressive shocks are a good shock and reasonably priced, same for Hagons etc. If your wallet can bear it go up another step and try works performance (very nice) and Ikon's. (also very good with adjustable damping to boot) there is plenty of plain awful aftermerket shocks available on ebay, "Old bike Barn", JC Whitney etc, but they're just rubbish and a waste of money. Shocks are no less a safety item than tires, so buy a well known brand and enjoy the ride! Cheers, Terry.

TwoTired · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2005, 11:29:51 PM »

I keep hearing that stock shocks aren't any good. But, I haven't heard anyone explain just why they say that.

Is it spring rate?
Damping compressed?
Damping extended?
Poor longevity?

How do other designs help maintain better tire contact with the road?

And, are these considerations applicable to street driving or more applicable to off roading or racing?

Thanks,

Mark M · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2005, 04:22:38 AM »

All of the above,
Making good quality shocks that will work in a variety of situations, with differing loads but still specific to the weight, geomitry of a particular bike is basically impossable. OE shocks are made cheap because even if they were good quality, expensive items they would only suit a few owners. So a waste of money.

mick750F · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2005, 04:32:03 AM »

I've got Progressive shocks on my '78F. They are a huge improvement over stock are available with different spring rates so you can fit them to your needs. You can also get the springs in chrome or black. The black looks good on the Supersports.

Mike

eldar · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2005, 01:19:09 PM »

I say no shock is any better than any other shock. They are all the same in their own way. Think of it like this. Do you need a shock with heavy dampening if you only weight 120 pounds? No so that progressive may not be the shock for you. Say you are 250 or more, is that Ikon going to work, maybe not. Point is a person just has to look at their weight, bike weight, driving style and if they carry any other weight sometimes. Once the person has these factors, then they can start to look at shocks and see what might work the best.

The shock from jcwhitney have worked fine for some people, original work for others.

So ultimately, get shock brands form people and where you can get more information, but dont buy based on what someone you have never met, says.

Besides the best shocks would have progressive dampening as the shock compresses, constantly variable spring rates and the dampening affect would not change with heat of cold.

I dont think these are made at all or if they are, cost is probably $1000 or more.

eldar · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2005, 02:59:51 PM »

The point is, you cant go with what others say. You have to take into account your own riding practices. Also before my stocks wore out, they worked fine. Others have used the jc shocks and shocks from partsnmore and have reported good results.

So unless a person has used ALL shocks, they are not accurately able to say any are worse than others. It is more about prefference.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2005, 06:05:31 PM »

First, you need to think about what kind of riding you worry about the most; commuter with pot holes, the suburbs to Dairy Queen with the grandkid, scaring yourself through the twisties because you never leaned that far over before? One set-up will provide optimum comfort for a nice float down the road. The other extreme is very stiff in order to keep the rubber on the road come hell or high water (performance/tecnical riding/racing).
I would do some shopping with sales reps to learn what the qualities of different makes are. I suspect I just learn to adapt to that particular bike; I have one with performance suspension that is super fun but leaves me crippled after 60 miles, one for all 'round riding (my cow pony), and one with no rear suspension that leaves me crippled after 60 miles.

MotoDave · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2005, 09:40:32 AM »

There's also HAGON shock distributed by Davis Quinn Motorcycles in the US:

http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc/HAGON_TWIN_SHOCKS.html

I hear the HAGON shocks are of good quality and are reasonably priced (as low as $179 a pair.)

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2005, 10:37:59 AM »

I have Hagons on my 500 and stock on my 550. I know which I'd rather ride around the twisty bits!

eldar · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:11:06 PM »

Ernie I think gets what I was saying. I have used the stocks on the highways and interstates and around town. The only problem I ever had with them was when I had a bad rear tire. Ultimately, you will have to research what you really need for your OWN riding style. Some say ikons are best others have said ikons are just cheaper konis. Some go with progressive and some like hagon. Others as I have said like other shocks that could be considered cheap. It all comes down to riding style and preference.

No one shock is perfect for everyone. So look at your own style and THEN make your choice.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2005, 02:03:38 PM »

Nah, I'll stick with Ikons, (who was the dickhead who said they were just cheap Konis? They're the same shock, made right here in Australia!) you can order different spring rates to suit your riding style/weight etc, and you can change the damping rate just by turning a knob, and when/if they ever wear out, you can rebuild them.

If they don't suit most riders, nothing will. All the other "name brands" are good, and 1000% better than OEM. I laughed my ass off last night looking at ebay, there was a used set of OEM shocks on ebay that had been bid up to 168 bucks! Ha ha, I wouldn't use 'em for a paperweight, all they were ever good for was stopping your back wheel from dragging on your fender! Cheers, Terry.

Robert · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:32:07 PM »

Having Konis, they are just as much down the drain as any other shocks (stock or hand made of platinum by a maiden-like princess) would be after 30.000+ miles.
Wear parts. Energy (and money) absorbing wear parts they are.

Quote

Terry in Australia: and when/if they ever wear out, you can rebuild them

Terry i.A. where would I go look for parts (seals etc.) having just learned that a rebuild is possible?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2005, 08:13:50 PM »

G'Day Mate, well, think about it for a minute, how many times in 30,000 miles have you changed your fork oil/fork seals? I pulled my ten year old Koni's offa my Suzuki GS1000S, they weren't leaking, however when I pulled them apart, the oil resembled rusty sludge.

No problem, I bought a new seal kit from Ikon, replaced the oil with ATF, and they're as good as new again. Total cost was about $20.00, and they'll be good for at least another 10 years, if I'm too lazy to do an oil change before then.

There's really nothing to wear out on them, the hard chrome on the shafts is about as good as you can get, so if you're happy with their performance you can just keep using them forever. BTW, I think the platinum "hand built by beautiful maidens" shock you mentioned is made by Ohlins, ha ha! Here's a link to the Ikon site:

http://www.ikonsuspension.com/ Cheers, Terry.

aliengirl · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2005, 07:56:20 PM »

Quote from: Robert on June 24, 2005, 02:39:18 AM

supersport_CB400F, that is ace info, thanks for sharing! I have the 7610-1296.

greetings. i have a pair of 7610-1296 but the springs are way too long for my 400F. i was wondering, what size springs (and part# if you have it) are you using on yours? thanks! $:-\$

gaijin · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2005, 11:40:46 PM »

Hey guys, thought I'd share my research. I was looking into getting the Ikon suspensions for my 400f and got a price for both the standard and chrome version (SP8). Parts number for 400f rear suspension is 7610-1302. You can check their application list for Honda bikes here: http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/bikes/honda.html

"Hi
Thanks for your enquiry.
Ikon shocks for your bike are AUD$490.00 a pair including freight [to California, USA]. They
are in stock.
The SP8 version are also in stock and AUD$590.00 a pair including freight.
Ikon forksprings are AUD$163.00 a pair including air freight.
If you are interested I can email you our fax back credit card order form.
Regards
Sales"

>make: Honda
>model: CB 400 F
>year: 1975
>engine: 400cc
>
>request: Prices regarding suspension item # 7610-1302 and also for SP8 (chrome)
>version?
>Prices for progressive fork springs?
>Thanks!
>
>otherdetails: I love chrome.

eldar · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2005, 10:40:55 AM »

SO I dont ride for a couple of years just to save up money for ikons, only to have to do more restoring anyways. OR I get some cheaper shocks for the time being so I can still ride yet this year and THEN save up for better quality, if I need it.
I dont make big bucks. If I did my bike would be fully restored to my liking AND I would have a Valkarie!

Gee which way to go? I think while konis and ikons and such are PROBABLY better, I will go cheap for now. Why have a bike if it cant be ridden?

Robert · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2005, 12:13:47 PM »

Quote from: aliengirl on June 25, 2005, 07:56:20 PM

Quote from: Robert on June 24, 2005, 02:39:18 AM
supersport_CB400F, that is ace info, thanks for sharing! I have the 7610-1296.
greetings. i have a pair of 7610-1296 but the springs are way too long for my 400F. i was wondering, what size springs (and part# if you have it) are you using on yours? thanks! $:-\$

ahoy. max lenght eye2eye is 13.36 inch 339 mm, part # 235-18/25/33 according to
http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/specsdet.html
The 7610-1296 are ment to fit CB650.
Spring length is 9.2 inch (uncompressed).

aliengirl · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2005, 02:34:53 PM »

Quote from: Robert link=topic=2121.msg16009#msg16009 date=1119813227
ahoy. max lenght eye2eye is 13.36 inch 339 mm, part # 235-18/25/33 according to
[url

http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/specsdet.html[/url]
The 7610-1296 are ment to fit CB650.
Spring length is 9.2 inch (uncompressed).
Quote

k. i think i am even more confused now. it sounds like i have the same pair (7610-1296) with the same overall length (mine are Konis) yet i don't see how they could fit on my 400F. the exhaust pipe gets in the way if i try to force them on. the stock shocks are only about 12.5 inches long. i'm trying to figure out if i can fit some shorter spings on 'em or if i'm stuck buying all new shocks (when i have the $ that is).

eldar · « **Reply #20 on:** June 27, 2005, 02:38:36 PM »

Well, it is a matter of finding the shocks used. See I am around the area (sorta) that Bob lives in. There are not that many of these bikes in the area and parts are hard to lay our hands on. Really if I COULD find a good set for cheap, I would get them. As I have yet to find a good set, I have to go with cheaper till I can. I do agree they are good shocks, I would never say they were not, just that they may not be for everyone.
I also dont want to not ride till I get some since to me that defeats the purpose of having a bike! If you know someone in the states with a cheap pair for sale, let me know. I can swing 50 bucks.

eldar · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2005, 04:25:05 PM »

I am currently looking at a pair of Konis parts # 76f-1283 and 76k-1335

Problem is, they have eyes at BOTH ends, no clevis. Does anyone know if there is a way to retrofit something like this?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2005, 09:01:23 PM »

Keep looking mate, there's no easy fix. Have a look also at Ebay Germany, there are a heap more Koni's in Europe than the US (more corners I guess

I bought an old pair of Koni's for a CB750 for $20.00 US. You may need to do a little work with an on-line translator, but it's worth it! Cheers, Terry.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2005, 08:15:30 PM »

Kein Problemgehilfe, Übersetzungen sind, wenn jemand anderes es für Sie tut, ha ha einfach! Obgleich it'd bequem ist, wenn jeder Australier sprach, schätze ich, daß wir die Tatsache respektieren sollten, daß andere Sprachen viel älter als unsere sind! Beifall, Terry.

http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/text.html

Jonesy · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2005, 08:38:57 PM »

Some of you might find this somewhat interesting.... I found a few specs on the original stuff Honda used. Thought it would be cool to share....

Matt at PSB · « **Reply #25 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:26:36 PM »

Quote from: Clyde on June 28, 2005, 10:39:06 PM

Hey Matt,
Any 7610-1296 Konis you come across let me know!
I will gladly put a set on my 750K2 wheelbarrow.

Are we talking vintage restoration or function over form? The function over form answer is Progressive Suspension 12 Series: About $260-270USD per pair with springs. Then if you have up graded your suspension, chassie, brakes & powerplant there is Works Performance Vintage Racer shocks with adjustable everything at about $390-425 each.

Konis cost more & work less than the Progressives & cost less and are a joke compared to the Works. I ran Konis for years. I wore bell bottom pants once too. Hey, guess what; it is not 1976 anymore!

As for the 7610 1296: Is this the period Koni of the mid to late seventies? If so I have a set with about 100,000 miles on them. I am sure we could come to a price we could both agree too.

Matt at PSB

Chris Liston · « **Reply #26 on:** August 04, 2005, 07:20:18 PM »

I'm in the same situation now. I need new shocks but can't really afford the $300 price tag for Ikons or Progressive. I've been looking at Hagon. For the money there probably much much better than the 30 year old shocks I have now. What are your opinions on them. I do all 1 up riding and ride very sport oriented on my 550. I figure any shock will be much better than the stockers.

Thanks

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #27 on:** August 06, 2005, 09:09:49 PM »

Chris, buy the Hagons mate, they'll be fine, and much better than the OEM's. Cheers, Terry.

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Author Topic: What better rear shocks can I use? (Read 6769 times)

50words

eldar

eldar

MotoDave

eldar

aliengirl

gaijin

eldar

aliengirl

eldar

eldar

Matt at PSB