Topic: Sore bum - suspension questions

[cobra2411]

Ok, my backside is sore because I'm ordering many many parts for my 76 CB750F and I'm not done yet... Thank god the snow this winter refilled the toy fund (I have a plow...)

Anyway I've got a new exhaust (Mac), sprokets (17/48), chain, I sent my swingarm out to Hondaman for a rebuild, new rims and spokes from Buchanan's (2.15x19 & 2.50x18), new Dunlop 404 tires plus some other little bits...

Now it's time to address the suspension. When I purchased the bike it had blown rear shocks and the fork seals were leaking. I tossed on some used CB750 shocks that worked better and called it a day. I was thinking Progressive rear shocks but also was looking at Ikon and even the basic Works shocks. Yes the works shocks are 2x the progressives but I think I can make a case to the GF about raiding the summer vacation money. I'm not a racer and don't have a lot of experience riding on the street so I'm not trying to get every last ounce of performance out of the suspension. I just want it to be safe and handle well.

For the front I was debating progressive springs or cartridge emulators.  Then I started reading about the GL front end... Do they take the same emulators or are the fork diameters different? Also what's the big benefit to putting those on? Right now I have the front end off a K1. Is the rake and trail set by the forks or by the frame?

I know there's a bunch of threads like this, and I've read a lot of them, but they didn't answer everything like I hoped...

Also I should mention I'm a big guy. 6'2" and normally around 240-250 but due to a back injury that I had about a year ago I'm up to 280-290. More of a linebacker build then a beer belly though. I usually only ride 1 up and will probably change the seat at some point from the stock F seat to a cafe type.

Thanks,
David

[Retro Rocket]

Also I should mention I'm a big guy. 6'2" and normally around 240-250 but due to a back injury that I had about a year ago I'm up to 280-290. More of a linebacker build then a beer belly though. I usually only ride 1 up and will probably change the seat at some point from the stock F seat to a cafe type.

       

  Hi David, You should mention your weight when ordering shocks, Ikon will take this into consideration when buying shocks and others may as well, if you think its uncomfortable now and you have a sore butt, then you are going to have to rethink the Cafe seat. It will be far more uncomfortable than the stocker.....

Mick

[nomad]

  Hi David, You should mention your weight when ordering shocks, Ikon will take this into consideration when buying shocks

Yep... they build them to fit you.  I did quite a bit of research on shocks and Ikon's seemed like the absolute best bang for the buck.

[cobra2411]

I was thinking the Corbin gunfighter seat, not a little plank with vinyl cafe seat... Anyway the sore bum reference was more a joke about prying my wallet out and buying all these parts.

I'm back on a diet and trying to loose weight now that my back is doing better so I'm not sure I should tell them my target weight or my current weight or both?

Also what about the front? How much does my weight matter there - I know there is a limited amount of options for springs. Would running heavy shocks in the back and stock springs in front mess things up? 

[bollingball]

First of all only you can decide about your weight and be honest with yourself. If you buy shocks set up for 220# and end up staying where you are now you will not be happy with the shocks. ie money down the drain. I go between 225 and 235 and went with the progressive 12 series with the heavy chrome springs been real happy with them. with the riding experience you have this would be a good starting point use them a year see what happens with your weight if you reach your goal sell them here and upgrade Can not help with the front my 750K8 is stock I have only played with the oil weight & volume I like it like it is I don't hit the curves like I used to but WOT on the straights

[kayjohn]

What shocks!!!!!!!!!!