Rear Shock Absorber Musings....

[Griffin]

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.

[Tarbash 27]

I got a set of works steel trackers with dual rate springs. Much better over stock. I believe I got them in 13.25 inch eye to clevis. Chrome body, black spring. They are fully rebuildable and very high quality. I paid $440 for them last winter. I am very satisfied with these.

I would not go with the cheap chinese ones they sell on ebay. The emgo's are probably alright for a stock replacement.

[Griffin]

Another positive review of Works Performance. I've dozens of similar posts on the web, very few complaints anywhere.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Ikons. If money gets to be tight though, I'll probably go with Progressives.

[hampshirehog]

Hagons are fine but I wish they would make a better job on the chrome on the springs - they rust in front of your eyes is my experience. Ikons are better mind and my preffered shocks for bikes from this era.

[Joe Nardy]

Brett,

I have the Ikons on my 1100E and they are great. They cost around $350, have damping and preload adjustments, and are rebuildable. They ask about your weight and riding conditions (one-up, two-up, sporty, etc.) when you order. I got mine 1" longer than stock to quicken up the steering. An added benefit of the length is that the bike practically puts itself on the centerstand. I went with the Ikons because I wanted the adjustability. I ride anywhere from one-up with no luggage to two-up with tank bag and saddlebags, probably a 150 pound difference in load. If I always rode one-up I probably would have gone with the Progressives for a lot less $$$. If they're good enough for Brian..........

As far as the forks go, Race Tech Cartridge Emulators help quite a bit too. There are some copies selling on eBay for a lot less that Race Tech's price but I don't know how good or bad they are.

Thanks,
Joe

[Griffin]

Brett,

I have the Ikons on my 1100E and they are great. They cost around $350, have damping and preload adjustments, and are rebuildable. They ask about your weight and riding conditions (one-up, two-up, sporty, etc.) when you order. I got mine 1" longer than stock to quicken up the steering. An added benefit of the length is that the bike practically puts itself on the centerstand. I went with the Ikons because I wanted the adjustability. I ride anywhere from one-up with no luggage to two-up with tank bag and saddlebags, probably a 150 pound difference in load. If I always rode one-up I probably would have gone with the Progressives for a lot less $$$. If they're good enough for Brian..........

As far as the forks go, Race Tech Cartridge Emulators help quite a bit too. There are some copies selling on eBay for a lot less that Race Tech's price but I don't know how good or bad they are.

Thanks,
Joe

I was thinking the same thing. But if I end up getting the '82 CB900F I found last week, my motorcycle budget will be very tight this winter, and I'll probably go witht he Progressives.

[drhach]

I've got a set of those ebay specials. It seems to me that they are not oversprung as much as they are overdamped. I'm not sure if they can be disassembled and tweaked.

[bwringer]

FWIW, Joe and Ryan (first_timer) have both told me that they feel the Ikons are well worth the additional cash over Progressives. They both can push a GS to its limits as well or better than I, so I have a lot of respect for their opinions on suspension for ancient machinery.

I'd probably have a set of Ikons myself, but the Progressives sure aren't bad, and I somehow keep finding other things to do with the $250 difference.

Even though my Progressives are starting to get a little bouncy (less damping than ideal) after 10 years and 70,000+ miles of abuse, I can simply replace the shock bodies for $150 or so and transplant my springs.

The Ikons can be rebuilt -- not sure about the Works shocks. However, I don't count this as a huge concern unless you ride the same bike an awful lot or are roadracing.

I believe Joe also reports excellent results from RaceTech cartridge emulators in the front of his 1100E, but it's a bit of an ordeal to get the right ones, and they may not be applicable to your 750's forks.

[Griffin]

FWIW, Joe and Ryan (first_timer) have both told me that they feel the Ikons are well worth the additional cash over Progressives. They both can push a GS to its limits as well or better than I, so I have a lot of respect for their opinions on suspension for ancient machinery.

I'd probably have a set of Ikons myself, but the Progressives sure aren't bad, and I somehow keep finding other things to do with the $250 difference.

Even though my Progressives are starting to get a little bouncy (less damping than ideal) after 10 years and 70,000+ miles of abuse, I can simply replace the shock bodies for $150 or so and transplant my springs.

The Ikons can be rebuilt -- not sure about the Works shocks. However, I don't count this as a huge concern unless you ride the same bike an awful lot or are roadracing.

I believe Joe also reports excellent results from RaceTech cartridge emulators in the front of his 1100E, but it's a bit of an ordeal to get the right ones, and they may not be applicable to your 750's forks.

The works shocks are rebuildable as well as the Ikons. Cost to rebuild is about half the price of new if you have them do it.

The Ikon 7610-1394 shocks with threaded preload collar and progressive springs are $330 per pair. If I wanted adjustable damping (which the Progressives don't offer) it would add $40 to that. Right now the lowest price that I can find on the Progressive 121204B shocks with 95/145 springs is $211.

Only an extra $160 for the Ikons set up the same as the Progressives but with adjustable damping. I do a lot of two up riding (primarily with my daughter) as well. Hmm.....

[waterman]

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/KAWASAKI-ZRX-1100-1200-ZRX1100-REAR-SHOCK-SHOCKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a3Q7c65Q3a1Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem120326650799QQitemZ120326650799QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Billy Ricks]

The Redwings were pretty highly regarded in their day. They also made forks that were fairly close in quality compared with Ceriani.

[Griffin]

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

The second set won't work, I need eye to clevis shocks, and those are eye to eye.

Also, I'd never buy used shocks, even if the seller states that they just "sat on an unused bike". I might end up replacing my worn out shocks with ones even more toasted.

[Griffin]

The Redwings were pretty highly regarded in their day. They also made forks that were fairly close in quality compared with Ceriani.

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

[Larry D]

I've been doing some shopping for rear shocks too. Thanks for this thread, Brett, I'm saving it for future reference.

How come these things are soooo expensive ?!?! Is the technology that good ??

Some of them are as much as I spent for the whole bike !!

[Griffin]

I've been doing some shopping for rear shocks too. Thanks for this thread, Brett, I'm saving it for future reference.

How come these things are soooo expensive ?!?! Is the technology that good ??

Some of them are as much as I spent for the whole bike !!

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....