Author Topic: Best Aftermarket Shocks (Read 35444 times)

eurban · « **Reply #50 on:** January 24, 2008, 07:01:44 AM »

Terry,
Can't find Ikon's current prices on their US website; even though they list a shopping cart setup, there doesn't seem to be anyway to put anything in it . . .A year or two ago I was quoted $400 AUD or about $350 US (now) for CB750 Ikon shocks without shipping. This is quite a different price ball park than the YSS bravos ($170us) or or the Hagon's ($220us). . . . Was it a spring issue you had with the Bravo's or is it the damper itself?

ralt12 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 24, 2008, 08:18:07 AM »

Add the desired part number to your cart on the Ikon USA site and it will display a price.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #52 on:** January 24, 2008, 12:34:58 PM »

G'Day Mate, yeah, the Ikons are expensive, and what pissed me off about them was that I bought a pair of Koni 7610's just before Koni gave motorcycle shock manufacturing away, and when Ikon started re-production, their prices were around 25% more than Koni, even though they are only 200 miles from my place.

I found the springs that came with the Bravo's too hard, (even for my 260+ pounds) but even worse, when I pulled them apart to fit the shrouds, I tested the damping with my patented "guess-o-meter" and each shock (I've got two sets) was noticeably different.

I matched (as best I could) the pair that I've got on my K1 and the pair I've got on my K2, but I concluded that the quality control at YSS is pretty "average". Also the lower "clevis" mounts were too wide for the swingarm mounts, which made me wonder if they were a "one size fits all" deal, as they'd also fit my Suzuki GS1000S, not that I'd take my Koni's off it for the YSS shocks.

I bought them cheap (50 bucks a pair, I think) from a mate who bought a few sets from a dealer who was getting rid of all of his YSS stock, so I guess I should have asked why, if they were any good, would this guy be unloading them? Oh well, at least they stop the tire from dragging on my fender................

malcolmgb · « **Reply #53 on:** January 24, 2008, 02:46:08 PM »

I have just stripped my Koni 76X series, alloy body, dampers to try and free off the adjustable spring seat, any ideas on how to release these? the two aluminium parts are corroded together.

dave400 · « **Reply #54 on:** January 24, 2008, 02:57:14 PM »

Quote from: malcolmgb on January 24, 2008, 02:46:08 PM

I have just stripped my Koni 76X series, alloy body, dampers to try and free off the adjustable spring seat, any ideas on how to release these? the two aluminium parts are corroded together.

Stick them in an oven Mal, I used one in work so I could get the plug out not too hot though lots of rubber /plastic parts in the body.

Dave

malcolmgb · « **Reply #55 on:** January 24, 2008, 03:00:53 PM »

hi Dave, yes I thought of heat, hot air gun, but the thought of damaging rubber seals and hot oil/air expanding worried me, you have given me some confidence.

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #56 on:** September 01, 2008, 08:30:20 PM »

Bringing this one back up from the depths. I'm looking for a good, mixed- use (mostly highway, some twisty and two-up) shock for under $150. Not really concerned if they look stock, as long as they ride better than stock.

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #57 on:** September 02, 2008, 08:33:22 PM »

Nothing?

XN · « **Reply #58 on:** September 02, 2008, 10:07:57 PM »

I think for the money its hard to beat the progressive 12 series, but that will push you over that 150 mark for sure...

andy750 · « **Reply #59 on:** September 03, 2008, 04:24:12 AM »

Quote from: XN on September 02, 2008, 10:07:57 PM

I think for the money its hard to beat the progressive 12 series, but that will push you over that 150 mark for sure...

$220 for the 412s from Z1 Enterprises - will need to be creative with your rear chain guard with these shocks.

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #60 on:** September 03, 2008, 05:19:14 AM »

Quote from: andy750 on September 03, 2008, 04:24:12 AM

Quote from: XN on September 02, 2008, 10:07:57 PM
I think for the money its hard to beat the progressive 12 series, but that will push you over that 150 mark for sure...

$220 for the 412s from Z1 Enterprises - will need to be creative with your rear chain guard with these shocks.

No guard, so I guess I'm in the clear. So $150 is unrealistic for decent shocks then?

andy750 · « **Reply #61 on:** September 03, 2008, 05:33:41 AM »

You can try and find them.

From my experience I went through Ebay and bought 4 or 5 sets of used CB900 shocks (1982), CB750F (1978, 1982) shocks and they were all not worth using (for me). By that time I had spent the same money or close to as getting a new set of Progressives. If I was to buy again Id probably go for the YSS shocks or Hagons. The Progressives are ok but the 150lb spring rate (HD shocks) isnt as stiff as Id like for 2-up riding - in comparison I have a set of 80`s CB750 shocks on the cafe CB750 and the are great 2-up and very firm when solo - too much on max setting.

As others have said you get what you pay for....

cheers
Andy

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #62 on:** September 04, 2008, 03:01:58 AM »

To answer a question that is yet to be asked, be very careful about buying old Koni's, yes they're rebuildable, but (particularly the alloy bodied Konis) are almost impossible to pull apart after 30+ years of use, electrolysis, rust etc, and if you break something in the process you can't buy that part anymore. (trust me, I've been to the mountain........)

When (or if) you get them apart without breaking anything, the rebuild kits are no longer available. And don't think "Well, I'll just use them as they are then", because after less than 8 years of use my 7610 series Koni's (that I bought new for my Suzuki GS1000S) oil looked like rusty, congealed mud, and had blocked the damper pistons, and made them about as useful as 38 year old OEM shocks.

Luckily, Koni's 7610 series shock parts are still available from Ikon here in Oz, so if you're lucky to score a set cheaply you've done well, and the rebuild kit will only set you back 30 or 40 bucks, from memory. They're still a bugger to pull apart and some of the internal gubbins are very fragile and easily damaged, but when you've rebuilt them, they're a joy to behold! Cheers, Terry.

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #63 on:** September 04, 2008, 08:00:31 AM »

So I found some Emgos on partsnmore.com $75 for the set-any thoughts/opinions/experiences?

turboguzzi · « **Reply #64 on:** September 19, 2008, 09:19:03 AM »

some racers here use these:

http://www.ammortizzatori.net/

ultralight, well damped, adjustable height, they will fit it with any spring rate you want, 200 euros. pretty decent deal me thinks.

TG

voxonda · « **Reply #65 on:** September 19, 2008, 10:16:26 AM »

Quote from: turboguzzi on September 19, 2008, 09:19:03 AM

some racers here use these:
http://www.ammortizzatori.net/
ultralight, well damped, adjustable height, they will fit it with any spring rate you want, 200 euros. pretty decent deal me thinks.

TG

Hey TG, in your opinion are these good shocks, am looking for some for the replica. Was thinking of new Hagons, but these look good at least from the photo.

Thanks, Rob

turboguzzi · « **Reply #66 on:** September 19, 2008, 11:36:56 AM »

did a 3 hour classic endurance race on friend's 500 equiped with those and they held extremely well. These shocks are emulsion type (no seapration bewtween oil and gas) and it still did well. if it's only for track days maybe you could get the ones with gas reservoirs though those werent really "period" for our CB's. In my class we are allowed only emulsion type.

they are fully rebuildable too

TG

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #67 on:** September 19, 2008, 11:42:57 AM »

The units I received ended up being Midi-Forsas-opinions or user experiences?

they seem to handle highway riding well. I have yet to install the tapered head bearings and steering damper. Then I'll be ready for the twisties!

lordmoonpie · « **Reply #68 on:** September 19, 2008, 11:59:59 AM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 16, 2008, 06:53:59 PM

Ikons (Aussie for Koni) are great shocks you can order with different spring rates, and come with adjustable pre-load and damping, and are rebuildable.

Yup got ikons on my 750 with spring rate to match my 215 lbs of fatness - superb shocks

Beans · « **Reply #69 on:** July 31, 2009, 09:29:53 PM »

Quote from: turboguzzi on September 19, 2008, 09:19:03 AM

some racers here use these:

http://www.ammortizzatori.net/

ultralight, well damped, adjustable height, they will fit it with any spring rate you want, 200 euros. pretty decent deal me thinks.

TG

Where can I get these shocks in the us? looking to replace my red wing shocks I have now.

MRieck · « **Reply #70 on:** July 31, 2009, 09:38:15 PM »

I don't think Jesus could reseruct some of these threads.

Beans · « **Reply #71 on:** July 31, 2009, 09:48:22 PM »

well did a search for shocks and this is what I found.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #72 on:** July 31, 2009, 10:16:00 PM »

I think thread resurrection is better than starting a brand new one, just in terms of saving space on our servers.

manjisann · « **Reply #73 on:** August 01, 2009, 05:26:48 AM »

The info is still valid for the most part, and you gotta give the guy credit for doing his search fu

Brandon

Ecosse · « **Reply #74 on:** August 01, 2009, 09:09:10 AM »

Quote from: Kit on July 31, 2009, 10:16:00 PM

I think thread resurrection is better than starting a brand new one, just in terms of saving space on our servers.

+1 i see no reason not to pull a lazarus on many of these threads if the info is good or relevant.

wanna replace mine and want stock-ish looking high quality dampeners.

News:

Author Topic: Best Aftermarket Shocks (Read 35444 times)