Rear Shock Absorber Musings....

[rtrome]

Ebay to the rescue:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Progressive-Suspension-13-Shocks-for-Suzuki-GS-Series_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a3Q7c65Q3a1Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem190265422475QQitemZ190265422475QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Some like these also, adjustable. Well maybe not this set specifically, just noticed one is a little bent...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWAS...Q5fAccessories

I'm in need of a set of shocks as well. Can someone explain why the progressive ones will not fit a shaft drive. Also my bike came with a set of Marzocci<sp> shocks. Someone told me they were rebuildable, but I can't seem to find any info anywhere about them. Is anyone familiar with them?

And lastly, just like the previos posted why are bike shocks so damned expensive??

[Larry D]

Probably because they aren't made in all that great a number (no economy of scale), and they are essentially hand assembled (high labor rates) to very tight tolerances.

That's my theory anyway....

I'll buy that.......Sure did get some sticker shock (no pun intended) when I first started looking at them.
Thanks

[Billy Ricks]

Interesting. They do look well made in the photos, at least from a fit and finish perspective.

Probably 35 years ago I was considering a set of Redwings for my old T305. I ended up settling on a set of Girlings. From what I've read Girling is now Hagon.

[Billy Ricks]

I'm in need of a set of shocks as well. Can someone explain why the progressive ones will not fit a shaft drive. Also my bike came with a set of Marzocci<sp> shocks. Someone told me they were rebuildable, but I can't seem to find any info anywhere about them. Is anyone familiar with them?

And lastly, just like the previos posted why are bike shocks so damned expensive??

http://www.marzocchi.com/

[rtrome]

Yes, I have seen that site but there is not much info for motorcycles. It appears they only have front forks for superbikes.

[Griffin]

I'm in need of a set of shocks as well. Can someone explain why the progressive ones will not fit a shaft drive. Also my bike came with a set of Marzocci<sp> shocks. Someone told me they were rebuildable, but I can't seem to find any info anywhere about them. Is anyone familiar with them?

And lastly, just like the previos posted why are bike shocks so damned expensive??

Those shocks on ebay are eye to clevis mount, you need eye to eye for the GS650, 850, 100, and 1100G models.

Depending upon your exact model, you may also need a length greater than 13".

[BassCliff]

You're a contributor!

Hey Mr. Griffin,

That's a nice bit of research and compilation. If you don't mind, I'm going to add this information to my mega-welcome page. Thanks!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

The front end is pretty simple, Progressive brand springs and fresh 15W fork oil. The rear end isn't so simple.

Most of these brands are also available in eye to eye configuration in different lengths for other twin shock GS models as well. The options are arranged in order of price, low to high.

1. $65-$90 Emgo/MDI: Found all over ebay, and at about every vendor on the internet. General consensus of users seems to be that they are ok quality, but very stiffly sprung. Essentially the bare minimum option from stock.

2. $120 Redwing: Evidently no longer made, they are still available at www.loudfastugly.com . I've not been able to find anyone who's actually used them, but they appear to be of halfway decent quality.

3. $210-$230 Progressive 12 Series: Lots of information here and all over the web about them. Most people seem happy with them, several different spring weights available. Available at most online retailers. www.denniskirk.com is a vendor I have had great luck with over the years.

4. $218-$270 Hagon Type A: Seem very similar to Progressive 12 series as far as owner satisfaction, quality of construction, and price. Available in the USA at www.davequinnmotorcycles.com

5. $320-$400+ Ikon 76 Series: Generally pretty highly regarded, lots of options available. From what I've read on the internet, they do seem to be more highly regarded than Progressive. Can be found at http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/servlet/StoreFront

6. $419-$589 Works Performance Steel Tracker: Very highly regarded, lots of positive reviews around the internet of Works Performance in general. Customer service (including rebuilding any brand of shock) is very highly rated. More info at http://www.worksperformance.com/html/home.html

There are other options available that are more expensive, including offerings from Works, Ikon, Ohlins, White Brothers, etc.

[Griffin]

Hey Mr. Griffin,

That's a nice bit of research and compilation. If you don't mind, I'm going to add this information to my mega-welcome page. Thanks!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Ooh boy, I get to be a contributor!

'Bout time I came up with something useful, I suppose.....

[AirCooledHeaven]

Well, since I've decided to keep the 750E for the foreseeable future, suspension upgrades are urgently needed. The front end is pretty simple, Progressive brand springs and fresh 15W fork oil. The rear end isn't so simple.

I've done a lot of searching here over the past couple of days, and consulted one of the local site techies about my mission. I've decided a couple things for my particular situation:

- Total cost for a pair of shocks and springs must be under $500 (preferably considerably under).

- Shocks must be rebuildable.

I've found lots of threads with bits of advice here and there, but it took a long time. I thought I'd condense much of the information into one thread.

These options are for 13" eye to clevis shocks that will fit the following GS models:

'78-'82 GS750/750E
'78-'80 GS1000C/N/E/S
'80-'83 GS1100E/S/ES

Most of these brands are also available in eye to eye configuration in different lengths for other twin shock GS models as well. The options are arranged in order of price, low to high.

1. $65-$90 Emgo/MDI: Found all over ebay, and at about every vendor on the internet. General consensus of users seems to be that they are ok quality, but very stiffly sprung. Essentially the bare minimum option from stock.

2. $120 Redwing: Evidently no longer made, they are still available at www.loudfastugly.com . I've not been able to find anyone who's actually used them, but they appear to be of halfway decent quality.

3. $210-$230 Progressive 12 Series: Lots of information here and all over the web about them. Most people seem happy with them, several different spring weights available. Available at most online retailers. www.denniskirk.com is a vendor I have had great luck with over the years.

4. $218-$270 Hagon Type A: Seem very similar to Progressive 12 series as far as owner satisfaction, quality of construction, and price. Available in the USA at www.davequinnmotorcycles.com

5. $320-$400+ Ikon 76 Series: Generally pretty highly regarded, lots of options available. From what I've read on the internet, they do seem to be more highly regarded than Progressive. Can be found at http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/servlet/StoreFront

6. $419-$589 Works Performance Steel Tracker: Very highly regarded, lots of positive reviews around the internet of Works Performance in general. Customer service (including rebuilding any brand of shock) is very highly rated. More info at http://www.worksperformance.com/html/home.html

There are other options available that are more expensive, including offerings from Works, Ikon, Ohlins, White Brothers, etc.... Unfortunately, these are out of my budget.



I hope this helps some folks who are looking to replace their shocks. If I've missed something in my price range, please, by all means, post the info so that we can all learn more.

Thanks.

I can personally recommend the hagons, they will will supply them with custom spring rates according to your weight or if you want to optimise for pillion use. But they don't have adjustable damping, although probably an unnecessary luxury.

The ikons are a direct copy of the highly regarded but no longer made Koni shocks that came with the 'dial-a-ride' adjustable damping. I believe Ikon bought the manufacturing rights but weren't allowed to use the name, hence the anagram.

The generic ebay shocks (oxon, hogon, ikan, pergressive ) should be avoided. The spring rates are fine, they look nice, but the damping is pants, particularly the compression damping which is unbelieveably stiff and makes for a very uncomfortable ride.

I think anything more expensive than the ikons would be a waste of money on a standard road going GS.

[bwringer]

Those shocks on ebay are eye to clevis mount, you need eye to eye for the GS650, 850, 100, and 1100G models.

Depending upon your exact model, you may also need a length greater than 13".

The 850G/GL, 1000G/GL, and 1100G/GL all take 13" (330mm) eye-to-eye shocks. The mounting studs or bolts on the frame and swingarm are 12mm.

The 650G/GL models vary a bit in length, but they're also easily available.

I'm contemplating slightly longer shock bodies on my 850G just so the furshlugginger axle will clear the farshimelt exhaust when it's time for new tires. Aaaaarrrgggghhh... I hate taking the shocks loose just to get the axle out. Didn't anyone at Suzuki think of this when they designed the bikes?

[jknappsax]

Interesting your expletives about shocks for Japanese bikes are in German.

[AOD]

I'll put my vote in that the Progressive's are a nice bump up over the worn stock shocks and allow you to select the right spring rate for your body weight and riding (1-up or 2-up) pattern.

I wonder how IndyBob is doing with my ultra heavy-duty springs? He weighed a good 100lbs less than me.

~Adam

[bwringer]

Interesting your expletives about shocks for Japanese bikes are in German.

Mangled Yiddish, actually. Borrowed from old issues of Mad Magazine. I had no idea what Yiddish was or why it was in Mad Magazine until I was a grown-up, but how can you forget a word like furshlugginger?

[salty_monk]

Get a V&H pipe.. it's short enough that you can get it out fine. Still access the drain plug & filter too.

Dan

[Buffalo Bill]

How about Cheng Shin?

This is a way low price, more compatible with my budget.
Cheng Shin Adjustable Shocks at jcwhitney.com, only $95.
Does anybody have these on their bike?
Let us know.
Bill