How to tell if your shock need to be replaced?

[Imreallycrazy]

I bought my GS (an '80 550e) about three months ago from the guy who had owned it for nearly 25 years. Being a fellow who tips the scales well over 200 pounds I put some considerable strain on the shocks of my bike, but lately I have noticed that, even in the second to highest setting, if I hit a average to large size bump in the road my rear shocks bottom out pretty easily. When I got this bike, I had planned on being able to ride it 2 up, but I don't want to break a shock with that much weight on if the springs are going.

So my question is this, is there a easy way to check what shape the shocks are in? can the rear shock be refilled with oil to "reinvigorate" them?

Sorry for all the newb questions, still falling in love with my bikes!

Ben

[bonanzadave]

lately I have noticed that, even in the second to highest setting, if I hit a average to large size bump in the road my rear shocks bottom out pretty easily.

Thats about as scientific a test as you can do. Live with it or get some new shocks. Not many stockers are rebuildable. Do a search for Shocks here or go to one of the many aftermarket vendors and search Shocks on their site. Most vendor sites will allow you to enter your Bike info and cross check application.

[shadowfist]

Sorry for all the newb questions, still falling in love with my bikes!

Ben

if they minded all the noob questions, I would have been kicked out about 30 posts ago and my bike would probably still not be running. and i wouldn't even know where to begin...

[drhach]

Are they leaking? Not sure if you can reseal them. If it has gotten worse though, it sounds like a leakage issue. I bought some of those "ebay special" Shocks, they look good but man are they stiff. Sort of the reverse of your problem. Good shocke are not cheap. Of course, cheap shocks are not good .

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!

Hi Mr. Imreallycrazy,

I don't believe I've had the pleasure. Welcome and thanks for joining us. Please click here to receive your mega-welcome, chock full of suggestions and links to vendors and other information. Then feel free to visit my BikeCliff website for lots of GS lovin', where I've been trying to collect all the wisdom from the good people here.

From Cycle-Re-Cycle2, I've heard these replacement shocks can be a little stiff but are decent and moderately priced. With your size on that bike riding 2-up, they may be just what you need.

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

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[salty_monk]

I just put some of those on a 550. Too stiff but "tolerable" with my 165lb on them but almost exactly the right amount of sag with my friend at about 220lb (that's who I fixed the bike up for).

Dan

[twr1776]

Are they the OEM shocks? If they are you do not need to test them, they are already junk regardless of how they look or the mileage on the bike. Any aftermarket shock will be better than them. I would suggest replacing the front fork springs as well. Progressive and Hagons are both quality aftermarket replacements.

[lucabond]

I put a pair on on 83 GS1100gk which is probably a little heavier bike than yours and the ride is great with or without someone on the back and I am
around 170.

[highmileage]

Also look on fleabay - there are some good new shocks from manufacturers that we have never heard of. I recall some French and Spanish ones that I've seen.

Don't buy used ones.

Progressives are probably too expensive for most of us here.

Those shocks pictured above are probably a good replacement - many folks swear by Cycle Re-cycle, not at them.

[TheCafeKid]

Also look on fleabay - there are some good new shocks from manufacturers that we have never heard of. I recall some French and Spanish ones that I've seen.

Don't buy used ones.

Progressives are probably too expensive for most of us here.

I don't know how much are those pictured above, but they are probably a good replacement - many folks swear by Cycle Re-cycle. Not at them.

NO! Do NOT buy those "french and spanish" shocks. If we're thinking of the same ones (very slick looking piggy back jobbies) they are JUNK and you are playing with your life putting them on a heavy GS. Those things are originally made for little Chinese commuter bikes, and a GSR member not too long ago posted about them. His buddy installed them on his GS, and snapped one. The result was catastrophic...

[Imreallycrazy]

Wow, thanks for all the help!
Thanks for the "Official" greetings Basscliff! There are alot of good resources there!

quick question about the link to those shocks you posted Basscliff. They have a pair listed for a gs550, is there any fundamental difference between, the gs550 and the gs550E that would keep them from working?

[Steve]

"How to tell if your shocks need to be replaced?"

According to many people (on this site and many others), that's real easy to answer.
If your brand new Japanese bike made it off the dealer's property, they are already worn out.

Many people recommend the Progressives for replacement, and some day we will do that for my wife's bike. In the mean time, we got some of those cheapies from JC Whitney for my son's 850. The springs are not overly stiff, but the damping sure is. Fortunately, damping is the one part that will degrade over time. Even with my 225 pounds, they ride a bit stiff. We rode two-up to a GoldWing Chapter meeting last week and the ride was wonderful. Probably should have cranked up the preload, but the damping was about right for my 225 and his 300.

.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Those shocks will work, Like said they are sprung heave. The bushings the give you with them are crap with a big C. If your old shock bushings are ok you might try pressing them out with a scoket & C clamp to save them for use

[Imreallycrazy]

Thanks to all!
I bought the shock that Basscliff was kind enough to link to me and and installed them a few weeks ago, taking my first ride that was more than an up and down the streeter today, they were perfect! Thanks for all the great help!

Ben

[MelodicMetalGod]

Right on. Congrats!