« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!  (Read 4864 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« on: January 18, 2010, 07:22:16 PM »
Hi All!

Need some help with finding a rear shock for my 74 CB550 that is about 15 inches long.  The stock CB550 shock now will hit the under side of my BCR rear subframe. The shock I have now measures about 13 1/2 inches.

What are my options??

jon®
Logged

Offline hs2k007

  • 1972 Honda CB350F
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 140
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2010, 07:49:58 PM »
Not sure if he has the ones you need, but I bought mine from this website.  They ride good and look like the originals.  Fit without modification.

http://www.jerryscycles.com/catalog/c15_p1.html

Steven
Logged

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2010, 05:01:58 PM »
Steven,

thanks for the link, I bought a set for the site that are 2" longer and look 1000 times better!
Jon
Logged

Offline cb750fbomb

  • is by no means a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 647
  • "No hope? See, that's what gives me guts!"
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2010, 05:32:07 PM »
Logged
'77 CB750F2
“The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.”

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,401
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2010, 05:50:46 PM »
CB750 and 900 DOHC shocks are around 2 inches longer than the SOHC4 shocks, and while I don't advocate buying 30 year old OEM shocks to replace 35 year old OEM shocks, (considering that they were crap when new, and won't get any better with age) I'd suggest that you buy a quality aftermarket CB750/900 DOHC shock, rather than the junk listed on the linked sites. You can buy Hagons for not much more, they'll last the life of your bike, and add a little bit of class at the same time. Cheers, Terry. ;D
Logged
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline wannabridin

  • Patience made me a
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,237
  • -Garrett
    • 1976 CB750K, under construction:
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2010, 05:57:36 PM »
Terry,

any chance you could throw a pic up of your Hagons?  I've heard you talk about these for quite some time, and I've been researching my options for nice handling, yet affordable shocks... 
Logged
1976 CB750K, currently under construction:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64468.0

-And if you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do...

Offline cb750fbomb

  • is by no means a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 647
  • "No hope? See, that's what gives me guts!"
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2010, 01:05:21 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 19, 2010, 05:50:46 PM
CB750 and 900 DOHC shocks are around 2 inches longer than the SOHC4 shocks, and while I don't advocate buying 30 year old OEM shocks to replace 35 year old OEM shocks, (considering that they were crap when new, and won't get any better with age) I'd suggest that you buy a quality aftermarket CB750/900 DOHC shock, rather than the junk listed on the linked sites. You can buy Hagons for not much more, they'll last the life of your bike, and add a little bit of class at the same time. Cheers, Terry. ;D

PLEASE provide a link to "not much more" than $75 Hagon shocks. The words affordable and shocks can't typically be used in the same sentence.
Logged
'77 CB750F2
“The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.”

Offline cb650

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,864
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2010, 02:42:09 PM »
On a couple shock sites I've seen the same part # for everything from my 360 to the dohc 900.  So investigate a little.
Logged
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline bucky katt

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,564
  • i am a pastafarian!
    • facebook
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2010, 03:17:34 PM »
just curious, why are you going to shocks so much longer than stock? wont that screw up the handling some?
Logged
Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
Mark Twain - Notebook, 1894

Offline cb650

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,864
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2010, 03:26:47 PM »
I put on a good (yea right) set of 650 shocks on my 360.  About 1.5" longer.   I like the feel of it.  I put dohc 750 shocks on my 650 and like it to. 1" longer.  Wasnt the same improvement but the 750 shocks was used also. 
Logged
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,401
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2010, 04:38:33 AM »
Quote from: wannabridin on January 19, 2010, 05:57:36 PM
Terry,

any chance you could throw a pic up of your Hagons?  I've heard you talk about these for quite some time, and I've been researching my options for nice handling, yet affordable shocks... 

G'Day Garrett, I don't have any Hagon shocks on my bikes, I've got Koni's on my Suzuki GS1000S and my CB750 endurance racer project, Progressive 440's on my Triumph Rocket III, and Boge on my CB750F2. I've just finally found a set of correct OEM shocks for my K0, and have crappy YSS shocks on my K1 and K3.

My mate Fred has just put Hagon's on his K1, he picked them up for just over 200 Aussie bucks which is a bargain, Ikons (Aussie made Koni's) cost around $400 here. I've ordered a set of Hagon's thru Fred's contacts here, but he reckons I won't get them for a few weeks as his club do a "bulk buy" when they get enough orders.

Obviously the Hagon's are more expensive than the junk on the linked sites, but you get what you pay for, so why waste your money on junk? Cheers, Terry. ;D
Logged
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

srook

  • Guest
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2010, 06:59:47 AM »
Here's a pic of my Hagons.

These have the polished stainless steel top shroud.  You can get them with chrome or black springs, top shroud or not.  Hagon took over the old Girling company.  Simillar to the Koni/Ikon connection.
Scott
Logged

Offline hs2k007

  • 1972 Honda CB350F
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 140
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2010, 11:07:46 AM »
They look similar to the ones I posted in the link that you call "junk".  I think they ride ok, maybe not the best ride, but they work.  I opted to buy these, because the bike is still 30 years old even if I put 400.00 shocks on it.  I guess it just depends on what the end user is doing with the bike.  Mine is more a restore that I will ride from time to time, so the "junk" that is 300.00 less works for my bike.
Logged

srook

  • Guest
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2010, 12:46:16 PM »
The Hagons are gas pressurized shocks and were state of the art when they were new in the 1970s.  Many racers used a "matched pair" of Girlings to stiffen up their suspension for optimal handling.  I would assume (because they don't tell me) that the parts n more shocks are oil dampened and only come with one spring rate.  The Hagons have customizable spring rates and are made to order.  Dave Quinn will actually give you a free spring change if your shocks are too stiff or too soft.  http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/home.html  Quite different than the cookie cutter cheaper shocks.
Scott
Logged

Offline wannabridin

  • Patience made me a
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,237
  • -Garrett
    • 1976 CB750K, under construction:
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2010, 01:18:52 PM »
Quote from: srook on January 22, 2010, 12:46:16 PM
The Hagons are gas pressurized shocks and were state of the art when they were new in the 1970s.  Many racers used a "matched pair" of Girlings to stiffen up their suspension for optimal handling.  I would assume (because they don't tell me) that the parts n more shocks are oil dampened and only come with one spring rate.  The Hagons have customizable spring rates and are made to order.  Dave Quinn will actually give you a free spring change if your shocks are too stiff or too soft.  http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/home.html  Quite different than the cookie cutter cheaper shocks.
Scott

great link!  it's nice to see sites like that with excellent customer service!  terry isn't the only one whose talked about hagons, and i've read some pretty good reviews about them in the past.  i think i've narrowed it down to hagon or iknons, just depends on the price, performance and looks now...
Logged
1976 CB750K, currently under construction:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64468.0

-And if you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do...

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,401
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #15 on: January 23, 2010, 05:32:37 AM »
Quote from: hs2k007 on January 22, 2010, 11:07:46 AM
They look similar to the ones I posted in the link that you call "junk".  I think they ride ok, maybe not the best ride, but they work.  I opted to buy these, because the bike is still 30 years old even if I put 400.00 shocks on it.  I guess it just depends on what the end user is doing with the bike.  Mine is more a restore that I will ride from time to time, so the "junk" that is 300.00 less works for my bike.

Hey, don't take it personally mate, I'm not calling your bike "junk", just those shocks. They may look a bit like the Hagons, but in terms of build quality, they're poles apart. Here's a pic of my 350F that I restored in 1996, it was a great little bike and lucky for me, it came with good Koni shocks, and handled quite well. Cheers, Terry. ;D

Logged
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline cb750fbomb

  • is by no means a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 647
  • "No hope? See, that's what gives me guts!"
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2010, 02:53:55 PM »
 
[quote/]
Obviously the Hagon's are more expensive than the junk on the linked sites, but you get what you pay for, so why waste your money on junk? Cheers, Terry. ;D
[/quote]
$$$ is why. I haven't had that kind of cash to throw at anything since i bought my bike for $1200 and those cheapies are a lot better than the stock ones that were on there.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2010, 02:56:56 PM by cb750fbomb »
Logged
'77 CB750F2
“The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.”

Offline cb750fbomb

  • is by no means a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 647
  • "No hope? See, that's what gives me guts!"
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2010, 02:58:50 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 19, 2010, 05:50:46 PM
Obviously the Hagon's are more expensive than the junk on the linked sites, but you get what you pay for, so why waste your money on junk? Cheers, Terry. ;D
$$$ is why. I haven't had that kind of cash to throw at anything since i bought my bike for $1200 and those cheapies are a lot better than the stock ones that were on there. I'll get the good stuff someday.
Logged
'77 CB750F2
“The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.”

Offline Kinch

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 124
Re: Rear Shock Options HELP!!!!!
« Reply #18 on: September 06, 2011, 11:06:48 PM »
Quote from: bucky katt on January 21, 2010, 03:17:34 PM
just curious, why are you going to shocks so much longer than stock? wont that screw up the handling some?

From Hondaman's book, it seems that longer shocks in the back will decrease trail making the bike a bit more nimble riding around but will decrease frame stability at high speeds. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I, for one, have been saving for Hagons for my stock K5 for a long time but life (mortgage) always seems to set me back so rather than continue to cruise around on the stock shocks I ordered the 335mm eye to clevis (http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/honda/cb750k/?filters[category]=chassis#product-29-3703
part#06-3603)

Stock suspension is set up for a 150lb rider with 331mm rear shock length so I'm hoping that with the 4 extra mm and my size (6'3 200lb) that the bike will sit pretty close to stock trail.

Not as good as high quality shocks but, as already stated, better than the originals. I'll post my results once I get them on the bike.

Logged
1975 CB750 K5
1980 GS850L
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »