New to GS world, need some advice on shocks!

[storm 64]

I'm thinking of buying Ikon shocks for my motorcycle. I talked to Ikon sales representative last weekend at Mid-Ohio. He ships out of Bedford Pennsylvania. What appeals to me is they come in chrome bodies and springs. They look the most like factory shocks for my motorcycle. There're a little over $400 for the set.

[kschippe]

Lol, write me a check then...

Point of that statement, is this: it's a 35 year old bike that isn't worth much, and will be used as basic daily transportation, so spending $850 on performance shocks for a bike that is low performance and low value isn't a smart proposition. Hence the recommendation for a 'low bar' option that will get me from pogo/wallowyness back into safe/comfortable. Without overspending. Not everything is going to be the star of the show, apple of my eye, spend all the moeny on bike.

[greg78gs750]

not sure you can compare the performance of a 70's harley to even the most clapped out gs....do they even get to modern highway speeds? lulz... and if 200 for hagons is too spendy, mebbe you should look for a newer bike that will need less? not being a prick, just saying...

[mmattockx]

My '74 Sportster, which is my daily rider, still sports the very same used 11" Electra-Glide shocks I slapped onto it in '96.
The '77 FXS, which I mostly use on weekend road trips when my wife is riding the Sportster (the XL sits lower) has used 12-inchers from way back in '92.
Both sets came off of wrecked bikes & are in EXCELLENT condition

No they aren't, they are most certainly worn out. If you put those on a shock dyno you would find that they offer maybe 10% of the damping of a new set, if that. For sedate riding that may be fine, but I assure you they are way, way past their best before date. The reason why shocks are rebuildable is so that you simply open them up, change the oil and whatever bits are worn and then put them back on. You don't have to replace shocks every year, just like you don't replace forks when they need maintenance. Since you seem to think shocks are good forever, have you ever changed the fork oil in either of those bikes?


Mark

[82tiburon]

No they aren't, they are most certainly worn out. If you put those on a shock dyno you would find that they offer maybe 10% of the damping of a new set, if that. For sedate riding that may be fine, but I assure you they are way, way past their best before date. The reason why shocks are rebuildable is so that you simply open them up, change the oil and whatever bits are worn and then put them back on. You don't have to replace shocks every year, just like you don't replace forks when they need maintenance. Since you seem to think shocks are good forever, have you ever changed the fork oil in either of those bikes?


Mark

That's quite the presumptuous, if not laughable, assumption on your part --- considering that you've never seen my shocks & know absolutely NOTHING about them or the condition that they're in.
Yet, you "assure" me that they are shot.
Apparently, Mandrake the Magician is still alive & well, divining what mere mortal men cannot see.

Listen, hotshot --- I've spent over 28 years working on motorcycles at various Florida performance shops, where I not only learned to rebuild shocks & forks early on (while still wet behind the ears), but I also fabricated & have my own compression tool at home.
I've disassembled all of my shocks, thoroughly inspected them & they are all in EXCELLENT condition.

So you're preaching to the choir & you're talking the very same pure, unadulterated nonsense that I've been hearing from customers for years who are looking to justify buying themselves the latest toy or gizmo.
Knock yourself out & lay out the bucks for over-priced rear suspension if you wish (hell, it's your money) --- just don't go p***ing down my leg while trying to convince me that it's raining.

[greg78gs750]

lolz..............someone is defensive.

[mmattockx]

I've disassembled all of my shocks, thoroughly inspected them & they are all in EXCELLENT condition.

If you are rebuilding them regularly then they will be fine. You said you had the same set of shocks on those bikes from the early 90's and you put 10,000 miles a year on them. Without regular rebuilds they are shot, no shock in the world can go that sort of mileage and still have useful damping. You may think aftermarket shocks are overpriced crap that are unnecessary, but I don't. Having raced MX and done track days on pavement I can assure you that OEM is crap and good aftermarket is worlds better in terms of performance, even for a duffer like myself. I'm not trying to convince myself the shiny toys were an improvement, lap times tell the story. In the case of your sedately ridden 74 H-D, maybe not.


Mark

[82tiburon]

lolz..............someone is defensive.

I don't get defensive when I'm right.
My accumulated knowledge, mechanical aptitude & experience --- not any form of Internet bragging --- are what make me right.

[82tiburon]

If you are rebuilding them regularly then they will be fine. You said you had the same set of shocks on those bikes from the early 90's and you put 10,000 miles a year on them. Without regular rebuilds they are shot, no shock in the world can go that sort of mileage and still have useful damping. You may think aftermarket shocks are overpriced crap that are unnecessary, but I don't. Having raced MX and done track days on pavement I can assure you that OEM is crap and good aftermarket is worlds better in terms of performance, even for a duffer like myself. I'm not trying to convince myself the shiny toys were an improvement, lap times tell the story. In the case of your sedately ridden 74 H-D, maybe not. Mark

Learn to read responses fully. I NEVER said that I've rebuilt my shocks, but rather, that I've inspected them.

You obviously know less than nothing about Harley FLH shocks --- these bad boys were made to hold up an 800 lbs.-plus touring motorcycle back in the days when folks expected stuff be built to last, rather than be the disposable junk we're saddled with now.

One could beat a grizzly bear to death with one of these shocks.

[kschippe]

Going with the Hagons. Still in the 'bring up to spec after years of neglect' phase, so no hurry.

Please bring the performace (HA!) merits of Herbley Derbedson's to another thread, thank you.

And really? Your suggestion to saving $200 on shocks is to buy a newer bike for significantly more money? Good advice.

[kschippe]

Going with the Hagons. Still in the 'bring up to spec after years of neglect' phase, so no hurry. $214 for a quality set is a good value here.

Please bring the performace (HA!) merits of Herbley Derbedson's to another thread, thank you.

And really? Your suggestion to saving $200 on shocks is to buy a newer bike for significantly more money? Good advice.

[limeex2]

Do yur bitching in another thread. https://www.bing.com/images/search?v...x=9&ajaxhist=0 That being said, I've read guys using the the RFY shocks, but sending them out before installing, get them gone through, and they worked well. On the other hand, $200 or so for a set of hagons seems reasonable especially if they fit your budget and you seem to like them. Perfect fit!

[glib]

Going with the Hagons. Still in the 'bring up to spec after years of neglect' phase, so no hurry. $214 for a quality set is a good value here.

Please bring the performace (HA!) merits of Herbley Derbedson's to another thread, thank you.

And really? Your suggestion to saving $200 on shocks is to buy a newer bike for significantly more money? Good advice.

Member Samsonite is selling a set of Progressives for $120. Don't know if they will fit your bike but worth a look.

[mmattockx]

Do yur bitching in another thread.

You're right. I'm done.

I don't get defensive when I'm right.
My accumulated knowledge, mechanical aptitude & experience --- not any form of Internet bragging --- are what make me right.

Whatever you say.


Mark

[JJ]

I don't get defensive when I'm right.
My accumulated knowledge, mechanical aptitude & experience --- not any form of Internet bragging --- are what make me right.

The bad thing is.... you're WRONG!