Topic: Another shocks question - get these or spend 2x for new?

[RainyRider]

Do these look like something one should consider buying? I have a hard time trusting reworked old shocks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Rear-Shock-Absorbers-CB750-CB550-CB350-CB-750_W0QQitemZ150432282791QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item23067678a7

Thanks for any advice,
RR

[tommanos]

I bought a pair from this guy about a month ago and I am very happy with them.  Mine look like new and ride better than the old ones.  I think all the "restoration" is cosmetic.  I was looking for the original look rather than enhanced performance.

[camelman]

Cosmetically they are fine.  Functionally... I doubt it.  I pulled mine apart to clean them the other day (16k miles on the odometer, and these were aftermarket shocks, so they didn't have 16k on them), and the compression damping was almost completely gone.  I think you are better off going with new or NOS units.

Camelman

[eurban]

What is your biggest concern?  Looks like original? Or performance?  The original shocks were marginal performers at best when new and the 30+ year old metal, oil and rubber inside those shocks haven't been touched.  If yours is a restoration where "originalness" is key then those shocks make some sense.  If not, then spend your money on decent performing shocks. Consider Progressive, Hagon, Ikon, Works Performance, YSS, Wilbers etc etc.

[Tretnine]

Agreed, this depends on what you want. Perf will cost you cash. (or credit, I guess) but that's the route I would go. I do like the new bits mixed in with the old and would personally slap an R6 front end onto a 550. (Way to go whoever did that, was it paulages?)

[RainyRider]

Thanks all for the info.

I'm not going for restoration or peak performance. I just want something that looks OK and will work well for a long while, this is a commuting bike not a museum piece or racer. There are NOS Redwings on eBay for around $140 shipped, this seems reasonable, right?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Redwing-Shocks-Honda-CB500-CB550-CB450-CL450-CL350_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439e8d55a4QQitemZ290422871460QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

~RR

[The_Crippler]

Given what you're looking for, might want to check these out.  Got mine for about $95 delivered:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/rear_shocks.htm

[eurban]

Yes or a set of progressives  ($171+ shipping) from a place like Z1 enterprises.  Those NOS redwings aren't likely to be much better quality than the stock ones and being NOS in this case is more of a minus than a plus.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yes or a set of progressives  ($171+ shipping) from a place like Z1 enterprises.  Those NOS redwings aren't likely to be much better quality than the stock ones and being NOS in this case is more of a minus than a plus.

+1.