GS1100G suspension upgrades…recommeded parts?

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanks,
For the same project 1100G, what is a good source for SS brake lines?
I still got the original lines on there…kinda soft.

[Buffalo Bill]

The Hagon type A with Wideline chrome springs, from Dave Quinn Motorcycles look like the best choice for me. Only $214???
They will build the shock for my needs, so I get their expert help too.

[Steve]

Yep, talk to Dave. He will help you decide on the damping rate, based on your weight and the weight of any passenger or gear you anticipate, then fine-tune that with the right springs for the weight.

If you click on the link I gave you above, you will see that there are a few choices for that same $214. All have black shock bodies, but you can choose the Slim- or Wide-line springs (Dave recommends the wide) in either black or chrome.

When I ordered the shocks for my wife's bike last year, I think I had them in about a week.

.

[Buffalo Bill]

At SonicSprings.com I found a rate calculator, very helpful.
Good price for the springs too.

[Steve]

My "gravitational attraction" is just a bit above 'average', and I have a fairing on my 850, so I went with the 1.1 springs and 10w oil.

NO regrets.

.

[Charlie G]

I looked at the Hogans shocks, but they don't mench the 1100G.

They have them, give them a call. I just fitted my 1100g with the Hagon #2810 shock with adjustable damping. I'm happy with it. It's slightly on the stiff side but that is exactly what I asked for. The springs i have are for persons weighting 165-220 lbs. I weigh 160. I have progressives in the front, which I like , but I think I will add emulators at some point, as sometimes I feel like I'm very close to bottoming out. Maybe Sonics w/ emulators are a better choice?

[Ecklund]

My "gravitational attraction" is just a bit above 'average', and I have a fairing on my 850, so I went with the 1.1 springs and 10w oil.

NO regrets.

.

Agreed on the 10W fork oil.

They say the emulators are tunable but of course the fork must be disassembled to do so. Two turns and they seem to work well.

[Dogma]

Adding a spacer only compresses the lighter portion of the springs more, and can lead to mechanical binding. Cutting off the lighter section of the spring leaves only the stiffer section, which is more like what the newer, BETTER springs start with. The spacer is necessary to compensate for the cut-off portion.

.

Cutting coils off of a spring also increases the rate.

[posplayr]

Cutting coils off of a spring also increases the rate.

Even if it is NOT a progressive spring; if it is progressive (and you cut off the soft coils) then even more so.

[Buffalo Bill]

Cutting coils off of a spring also increases the rate.

Right, and it's compression limits too. Not going to cut the old springs.
I bought new constant rate springs from Sonic Springs.
The name reminds me of Fred Sonic Smith, the late rhythm guitar player for the MC5 back in the late 1960s.

[Buffalo Bill]

I've installed the 320mm Hagon shocks sent by Dave Quinn, and they seem to be pretty good, they look good too.

I found some very bumpy country roads to test them on, and they're fine with preload and without.

I ride about 60mph and higher on some of these bumpy roads, in a jockey position up on the pegs.


FYI: I measured the Suzuki OEM shocks from the 1982 GS1100G, and they are 323mm center to center as best I can eyeball the tape.

[lurch12_2000]

Thanks Steve, needed somebody to bounce ideas off of.
About fitting the old Suzuki springs on the Progressive shocks, the question is; will they fit?
They were designed for the 1100G, so yes they have the right spring rate.
Looks like they have a retainer disc that slips out when the spring is compressed with a tool.
Seems I need to buy the tool if I buy springs and shocks separately.
Looks like buying shocks with springs mounted makes sense to me.

You can get the springs off fairly easy by crafting your own tool, but I wouldn't re-use the old 30+ yr old springs. For $268 shipped (and you earn about $7 worth of points toward your next purchase) here is a pair of Progressive rear shocks from BikeBandit below. I think your length is just under 13" eye to eye if I remember correctly from my old '83 1100G. Don't bother with the Emgo $100 shocks. I used them on my 1100G and they weren't very comfortable...but were better than the leaking shocks that were on there. I actually sourced a set of Progressive shocks for my GS650E for $200 but I assembled the springs.

http://www.bikebandit.com/aftermarket-parts/motorcycle-suspension/shocks/progressive-suspension-412-series-steel-spring-cruiser-shocks?m=12836

PS....never mind, I see you already bought the Hagons.

[Joe Garfield]

I got Sonic springs for the front and am planning on Hagon shocks for the rear.

Bill, what spring rate did you get for the rear, and what do you weigh (if you don't mind)? I had progressive shocks on my 650GL and I HATED them - they were way too stiff. I don't recall the model but they were what was recommended for my bike. I never really enjoyed riding that bike again. I don't want to do that to this bike.

[Buffalo Bill]

Joe, I prolly weigh 195 with all my gear on.
Dave Quinn calculated what my spring rate should be, and did not tell me.
But no they are not too stiff, and seem just right.
But then maybe my butt is worn out and lost it's sensitivity, I dunno.
When you call or email Dave Quinn you'll be talking to a real person who will ask about your roads and riding habits and make the best decision. You can return them within a couple weeks I think, and try another rate.
I told him about our bumpy potholed roads here, and how I like to shoot down them at 60mph, riding on the foot pegs.

[Joe Garfield]

Thanks Bill.