Are used shocks a bad idea?

[nate875]

Hello, GS people.

I need to replace the rear shocks on my 1980 GS850G. I'm considering getting some salvaged ones from ebay for pretty cheap, like as cheap as $20 shipped. (Of course, the 20-dollar shocks look pretty crusty. Might not matter though, because I might just paint them flat black or something anyway.) I really just need decent function. How concerned should I be about these old, salvaged ebay shocks already being worn out, meaning that they're not sealing well enough to do any dampening anymore?

--Nate

My sweet Suzuki GS bike: 1980 GS850G, black

My other bikes:
2007 Vulcan 1600 Classic
2004 Yamaha R6
2007 Hyosung GV650

 

[Guest]

The old adage applies, "you get what you pay for". lol I would be weary of the crusty ones. A set off a low mileage bike should be ok though. Check the want ads to see if someone here is parting out an 850 or 1000G. They would be able to tell you if they still function or not.

 

[Steve]

Although you do usually "get what you pay for", there is no guarantee that paying more will get you anything good.

I have a few pairs here that have been removed from our bikes as we have upgraded. If you want, I can get some pictures of them and let you decide which ones you want. Price would be about what you are looking at on eBay, but there is a little more confidence that they won't be junk.

.

 

[tom203]

I put a used Showa set on 4 years ago....cosmetically very good and still working fine. Recent eBay hunts turn up some ugly ones so beware . I'd go with Steve's offer

 

[Wingsconsin]

The ones I took off my 850 were still good - just under strong for my bulk (275#)
I sold them to a member here who is using them on a bike - no worries -
I feel like I am a trustworthy source however ; which you may not find on eBay
STEVE is another trustworthy source in my opinion so if he has a set that he is willing to part with - hmmm..

I installed new HAGONS and couldn't be happier - but I spend money foolishly sometimes as well.

 

[nate875]

Steve,

Thanks for responding.

Yes, I would be interested in seeing some photos of whatever shocks you have. Thanks for offering that.

--Nate

My sweet Suzuki GS bike: 1980 GS850G, black

My other bikes:
2007 Vulcan 1600 Classic
2004 Yamaha R6
2007 Hyosung GV650

 

[Steve]

I'll dig them out this weekend and get some pics.

.

 

[dorkburger]

Like anything used, it?s always a bit of a crap shoot. At least with shocks it?s a relatively inexpensive gamble.
I just put a used shock on my ES. It cost me $60, and is s nice upgrade over the stock one that failed.

 

[GSXR7ED]

I have rear shocks removed from my 750T. I haven't disposed of them and could see someone using them.

Ed

 

[Grimly]

When a massive pothole blew the guts out of one of my Showa airshocks, I fitted a used set of OEM ones that were in fairly nice condition, but it soon became obvious they were lacking in damping. The springs were Ok, and I wondered about draining and refilling the oil with some fresh stuff of perhaps a grade heavier. Still might do it, as there's nothing else wrong with them, but they've been on the round-tuit pile for a couple of years and are basically stand-by shocks if any of the other bikes need them.
Meantime I scored a set of barely-used Showa air shocks from a Harley - many H-D owners want to upgrade shocks and exhaust systems that are perfectly serviceable and I discovered that some H-D model rear shocks are a perfect fit for mine. They've been fanstastic for the past few years.
Need to get another set soon, just for having some spare in case I need them.

 

[Steve]

I have rear shocks removed from my 750T. I haven't disposed of them and could see someone using them.

Are 750 shocks eye-to-eye or eye-to-clevis? :-k

He needs eye-to-eye for the 850.

.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Are 750 shocks eye-to-eye or eye-to-clevis? :-k

He needs eye-to-eye for the 850.

.

Eye-eye, Captain! lol

I beleive the 750s are eye to eye...let me see if I can find a thread I started with pics...

Ed

 

[GSXR7ED]

Are 750 shocks eye-to-eye or eye-to-clevis? :-k

He needs eye-to-eye for the 850.

.

Eye-eye, Captain! lol

I beleive the 750s are eye to eye...let me see if I can find a thread I started with pics...


Ed

Oops,

They are eye to clevis...but you knew that Steve. (Embarrassed face)



Ed

 

[bwringer]

Yep, lots of barely used Harley shocks around, and some are 13" eye-to-eye. No, they're not great quality, but likely better than 40 year old worn-out originals.

From what I can tell, most have 1/2" eyes. That works out to about 12.7mm which is slightly big but close enough to 12mm to work OK.

 

[portdave]

I have a set of used Harley shocks that I had on an 850. I even updated the bushings to make them fit better. You can have them for a few bucks plus shipping. Email is linked on my name.

 

[Grimly]

Yep, lots of barely used Harley shocks around, and some are 13" eye-to-eye. No, they're not great quality, but likely better than 40 year old worn-out originals.

From what I can tell, most have 1/2" eyes. That works out to about 12.7mm which is slightly big but close enough to 12mm to work OK.

Simple to fabricate a bushing sleeve out of a tin can.

 

[LAB3]

Hit a swap meet, as mentioned HD guys swap them out often because it costs money and makes their bikes better because they cost more.

 

[Guest]

I did the $20 shipped used shock dance and it was a waste of money. The photos were not good enough to see how roached the bump stops were and they didn't have an ounce of rebound to their name.
However, I found some take off shocks from a '17 Triumph Speed Twin fit up nicely once I got some Mcmaster-Carr sleeves to size my studs up. Apparently it's pretty popular for guys to upgrade their Triumph shocks with Ohlins stuff that Triumph sells in their aftermarket store. This leads to lots of low mileage spares on ebay. I picked mine up for $45 shipped and paid maybe 12 bucks for the sleeves? A much nicer ride, and they look like O.E.