Progressive "Magnum" Shocks for my GS850G?

[Guest]

Local guy has these for sale and I'm trying to determine if they are appropriate for my 1980 GS850G. I've contacted Progressive and have not gotten much info from them. Here are some pics as well as some info from the seller. They're 12.5" eye to eye - same as my stock shocks. If they're a good match I'd love to scoop 'em up.Thanks!!

Seller info:

"the shocks are
order # 1202b
model # ps20

a pair in each box

springs are

order # 1302b
model # tf95-140b

the koni springs are rocky cycle number 23-1437
235-11/16/22
60-90-123"

[seano]

Just picked them up. 2 pair - a 12.5" and a 13" both w/ springs plus the pair of Koni springs. I'll post more info in a day or so when I get a minute.

[DannyMotor]

Were these matched to you?? Normally you need to factor in the spring rate dealing with your weight. Also, the GT is a shafty right? Only shaft bikes take the eye-to-eye. All the others take eye-to-clevis.

Good find on them though!

[TheCafeKid]

Were these matched to you?? Normally you need to factor in the spring rate dealing with your weight. Also, the GT is a shafty right? Only shaft bikes take the eye-to-eye. All the others take eye-to-clevis.

Good find on them though!

Not entirely true.
550s were eye to eye, as well as the smaller chain drive bikes. 650E might have also been eye for eye.

At any rate, unless you're a gargantuan human being, the spring rate on those are going to be better than the sacked out crap stock shocks anyway.
If you find you need stiffer, Koni (now under the name IKON) are still in business and new springs can be purchased seperately of the bodies.
You need to check that those bodies are in truly good shape however. Make sure the seals are good, and there are no pits in the piston rod.
I once bought a set of Progressive shocks off eBay that had a blown out seal.
Koni's are good shocks, and most are rebuild-able so even if they need refurbished, you're probably still ahead money as a new set would have run around $300-$400.

Once you get them, and install them, and assuming you've done something with the front springs (which if you haven't you need to) you'll need to set your "sag" in order to properly set up the suspension, and tell whether or not the springs included will be adequate if they're not marked and of unknown rate..

[BassCliff]

Hi,

The stock GS850G shocks are 13" (330mm) eye to eye. But 12.5" will work just fine.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[DannyMotor]

Once you get them, and install them, and assuming you've done something with the front springs (which if you haven't you need to) you'll need to set your "sag" in order to properly set up the suspension, and tell whether or not the springs included will be adequate if they're not marked and of unknown rate..

Good call.