Topic: Rear Dampers?

[JonnyHonda]

Does any one know if it is possible to just buy the rear dampers, rather that the whole shock? and is it worth it?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Do you mean the factory chrome dampers?

They were crap then and they are crap now.  For practicality, get some aftermarket shocks, like Boge-Mulhollands and some progressive springs.  If you are doing a restoration and want originality, they turn up on ebay sometimes and breaker yards should be full of them.

I wish a company made modern progressive springs and shocks in chrome that were identical to the originals, then you get the best of both worlds: the right look with good handling.

[JonnyHonda]

Mmmmmmmmm, I see your point, I think I'll plump for after market. I'm not that fussed about originality, after all I have an F1 with an F2 tank, an F1 wire rear wheel and an F2 comstar in the front.

What would you recommend, been looking at some Ikon ones.?

[Bob Wessner]

I seem to recall Dan Jones (Jonsey) picked-up a pair of new chrome, almost identical to the stock shocks. I think it was from CMSL. Maybe he will see this and verify the source.

[GroovieGhoulie]

I seem to recall Dan Jones (Jonsey) picked-up a pair of new chrome, almost identical to the stock shocks. I think it was from CMSL. Maybe he will see this and verify the source.

The question is though, are they better than the originals: oil quantity and weight, valving, travel, etc?

[eldar]

cmnsl or whatever it is sells nos style shocks. Check ebay to see if the boges are still available. You wont find a better shock for under $150 without springs.

[Sam Green Racing]

Jonny, look up Alf Hagon for shocks, I think they are in the London area.

Sam.

[Sam Green Racing]

Jonny, www.hagon-shocks.co.uk

Sam.

[Bob Wessner]

The question is though, are they better than the originals: oil quantity and weight, valving, travel, etc?

This would be a question for Dan. I seem to recall he was pleased with the improvement, but perhaps he can go into more detail if he sees this.

[Jonesy]

Yeah, CMS is where I got my repro shocks. As I understood it, they had identical cases, but modern internals. The springs are progressive wound on the new ones, so they don't exactly match stock. My original OEM shocks had nothing left in them. I removed the springs and you could move the piston rod in and out of the chrome case with almost zero effort- no dampening left at all. It was a night-and-day difference in the handling.

I haven't ridden many bikes nor sampled different shocks, so I can't really speak to what's a "good" shock versus a "crappy" one. (Except when the shock is worn out!)

[GroovieGhoulie]

Do you have a part number or link?  I would be insanely interested in these.

[Jonesy]

http://www.cmsnl.com/products/rr-cushion-set-repro_00000kit0057.html

You might want to do your own investigating before buying. I'm quite happy with them. I remember Frances Bolton (CBCHIK) got Hagons for her 750 K3 and is quite happy with them, as well.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

It's been almost 5 years since but I managed to locate a new pair of Konis that are very much identical to the stock K shocks. Fully chromed. Konis had been discontinued prior to that time. I was unable to find replacements for my 75 750F that were fully chromed so I went with these and they ride sweet. Had to ship them from Sweden and the total cost was US$242 for the pair. Try this site and perhaps they will still have some sitting on their shelves collecting dust. The service and shipment went very well.
www.Roffesmotor.se