Author Topic: shocks  (Read 832 times)

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Offline wardenerd

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  • '77 550F '81 650C
shocks
« on: May 24, 2012, 07:36:31 AM »
I am taking my 1977 550F to the dragon in June.  I am going with a group and intend to spend my ride at the back of the pack due to the bike and me being OLD.  However I would like the bike to handle as well as it can. I have rebuilt the swingarm and installed a fork brace.  The forks were redone last summer. Brakes rebuilt at same time and the disk is drilled for wet weather.  New chain and sprockets last season.  The shocks are 35 years old and I do not think they work very well so I want to replace them.  I see Forsa shocks advertised around 100 bucks and I would be willing to go to 175.  What would you guys recommend.  The tires have maybe 500 miles on them and I do not ride aggressively very often.  I am actually going up 2 days early to get in some twisty action for practice before the group arrives.

Offline flybox1

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Re: shocks
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2012, 08:50:42 AM »
Got my Hagons through Dave Quinn Motorcycles (~$200)
great communication and they helped me decide on the springs to fit me and the riding i do.
worth every penny. quick installation. 
Have fun on the Dragon  :D
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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Offline somesuch

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Re: shocks
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2012, 09:04:48 AM »
I would make sure that there is as little stiction in the forks as possible, especially that you have the fork brace on, you have to make sure that is mounted in such a way as not to exert any force on the forks (except for clamping of course :)  ) For the stock frame I like to keep the suspension on the softer side as the frame is not strong enough to cope with larger forces that stiff suspension brings with it. The fork oil can not be too heavy or the bike will wallow, shocks should be a bit longer (you can use CB750 shocks as they are longer)

measure stiction by pushing on the front end and letting it go back up slowly. Note the position of the forks' extension (use the zip tie on the tube, and slide it down to the wiper before you begin this test) then pull up on the handlebars and slowly let the front end down. The distance between the zip tie and the wiper is the measure of how much stiction your forks have.....about 4-5mm is good.

I have not tried the Forza shocks, so I can not comment.

Offline Triffecpa

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Re: shocks
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2012, 03:31:33 PM »

the Forsa shocks work fine.  Only draw back is that they are a bit on the stiff side if you are a little guy.

TR