New Rear Shocks - Questions, Feedback, etc.

[tfb]

Another thing you could try, is email the IKON crew (via the easy-to-find email contact on their website) and give them the length of the shockie you need, and the weight of your motorcycle; I'd be surprised if they don't have a model of shock to fit. I emailed them a while back and got a prompt response.
Mike.

 

[Anonymous]

So, I bought the Progressive Suspension rear shocks for my box-stock '81 GS1100EX, then went shopping for springs. The PS website said that, at 200lbs, and with my particular usage pattern, I could go with either the standard or heavy springs. I ended up buying new, standard black springs at a store-closing for the giveaway price of $5.00! All the stuff is still in the boxes awaiting a rainy day. I previously installed PS fork springs, and I've been running zero psi in the forks.
Two questions: Would I be happier with the heavy springs? (25 pounds on the rear rack for weekend tours, or my lightweight kids on dayrides occasionally)
Will these black springs rust significantly? (I would've bought the chrome version if the giveaway price hadn't cemented the deal, and for $5.00 I could keep 'em for spares).
Thanks, Al.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: New Rear Shocks - Questions, Feedback, etc.

How many of you have replaced your original shocks on your GS? Mine still have some 'spring' and rebound to them, but at 20+ years old I imagine they're not at the top of their game.

Has anyone noticed an improvement after replacing shocks? Cycle-Recycle-2 has Emgo replacement shocks for $89 a pair.

I read on the Progressive motorcyclce suspension page they recommend a slightly longer shock/spring to lift the rear and quicken the steering. Makes sense in a way...and I'm not going to argue these bikes need help in handling compared to today's machines.

So...CRC2 shows 335mm application for the 77-79 GS550. http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/rear_shocks.htm

I guess I can measure what I have now...and see if I should go with the 335mm or 340mm.

Any thoughts?

~Adam

Ive just added a new set of IKON's (previously KONI) to my GS750's arse end.

Sorry cant tell ya the part number but if you check their website at:
http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/bikes/suzuki.html

you will surely find something.

I paid AU$400 for mine but they are repairable and they have an adjustable dampener in the top, WHilst I could have got something much cheaper (AU$140) they were NOT repairable, and were standard shock only, (no adjustable dampener)

More than well worth the extra $$

Now I just gotta look at replacing the front springs and It seems that I have got one top tube bent bugger!
Handling is awesome now!

 

[Anonymous]

Ps: as previously mentioned, email ikon and ask.....

Tell them your model and year and they will know what is "interchangeable"


storms tonight, 2.25 inches of precipitation tonight, damn hot though!

 

[AOD]

sent the contact us info to IKON, so we'll see what comes back.

For those of you who have gone the adjustable dampening way, how hard was it to fine tune the dampening to your riding style?

~Adam

 

[first timer]

adam they have GS 550 M/EM Katana listed, these have the same shocks as your 79 550 e, the bikes are all about the same except for the looks and soild disk brakes.

-ryan

 

[bwringer]

I improvised a spring compressor, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It was a horrible contraption made of two pieces of angle iron bolted loosely to an old Toyota pickup bumper, but it did the trick.

If I were you, I would definitely take it to a shop and have them put the springs in. Sometimes you can compress them by hand, but it's painful if you don't get it exactly right the first time...

Trust me, the improvement in handling will be well worth the money and time!

 

[AOD]

No reply from IKON yet, .

 

[Anonymous]

No reply from IKON yet, .

That seems strange. I mailed them a few weeks ago with questions about a set of longer than stock shocks for my 1100 and they came right back with a reply. Perhaps they are shut down for the holidays already? Remember they are 16 hours ahead of us, you may lose a day just with the time shift... :?


Mark

 

[AOD]

I'll attribute it to holiday's...so we'll see.

 

[Anonymous]

For those of you who have gone the adjustable dampening way, how hard was it to fine tune the dampening to your riding style?

~Adam

Hi Adam,

THe fine tuning was very easy but mine alters regularly depending on the "load" im carrying (ie: passenger and or luggage)

mate, all I can say to you is that from personal experience, they have really made a BIG difference to my ride!

regards,
Andrew

 

[Hoomgar]

I am going with air shocks on my ride this year Adam. I found a pair of new S&W chrome air shocks NOS for my bike. I'll let you know how they work out when I try them. I am keeping the stock shocks just in case. I have received a lot of mixed opinions on the air shock idea.

 

[Anonymous]

I have received a lot of mixed opinions on the air shock idea.

Hey Mark,

What sort of comments on air shocks? I'm just curious, as they really aren't any better or worse an idea than conventional shocks. And using air as the spring allows easy rate changes to accomodate big changes in load.

Mark

 

[Hoomgar]

I have received a lot of mixed opinions on the air shock idea.

Hey Mark,

What sort of comments on air shocks? I'm just curious, as they really aren't any better or worse an idea than conventional shocks. And using air as the spring allows easy rate changes to accomodate big changes in load.

Mark

I agree with your later comment. No I just was told by some people that they are what I want and that these exact brand shocks were the best you could get for these bikes back in the day. But then others have told me that I am not going to like the ride and that it will feel funny and may not handle as well.

I respect the opinions of all but am still a "gotta find out for myself" kind of guy so I am going to put them on. I have plans to put a regulator valve on and an onboard air pump as well if I like them. That way I can adjust them on the fly while I ride. I did the same thing to my 73 Chevelle SS and just like the idea of adding it to my bike as well

I have other neat mods in mind for this bike to take place in time. Some include fans for increased air cooling when sitting in long lines waiting for traffic. Like when you are trying to get into a big bike show. I partially fried my rings in 2003 doing this very thing!

Anyway, that's all. So I have to try it to see. I think it will rock.

 

[Detman101]

I put a set of slightly used Progressive Heavy Duty shocks on the rear of my 81 GS-750 and it is as solid as a rock when I need it to be. Carried my 240 pound friend James a couple of weeks ago without squashing the rear like it used to. Handles a WHOLE lot better with just me on it and adjusted for my weight as well. No more squashing down on take off or bouncing off the seat when hitting potholes and bumps in the pavement.
The bike feels much much more stable and it takes off a lot quicker too.

I can only imagine what the response on a hard-tail is like!

Dm of mD

 

[Pete's GS]

Progressive's are excellent but if you don't want to spend $225+ I've had good luck with MDI shocks for $70-80 complete, and the springs are already installed. You can get them at Pro-Flo, Whitney's, or MikesXS. I got the ones slightly longer than stock to quicken the rather leisurely GS550 steering. They work well, and I can't say my back or a_s has been all beat up by them.

 

[AOD]

The great people over at CRC2 helped me out on the phone yesterday. They said they don't put things on the website unless they have them in the stock, but they can order things if needed; specifically, Progressive suspension parts.

Our phone conversation said he could do the Series 12 shocks with any spring combo needed, ASSEMBLED, for $229! Here's the email followup on spring rates:

Here are the suggested items you requested. All based on the GS550 '79-'80 with a eye to eye shock with a 13" (330mm) center-to-center extended height, and 3.8" travel length.

Stock with average rider suggestion

Shock Series 12 #PS-1202 with PS-1394 spring 70/120

Stock with Heavy rider suggestion

Shock Series 12 #PS-1202 with PS-1367 spring 95/140

If you really will be weighting it down, the next jump up on the spring is a 105/150, and I would not exceed this spring rate.

The other weights available are 125/170 and 145/190 and I do not recommend these. You will have a VERY harsh ride.

CRC2 website: http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm
CRC2 phone: 317-634-7550

~Adam

 

[terry]

G'Day Adam, because Australia is enjoying summer at the moment, we have a fairly long vacation period from just before christmas to after the new year, so Ikon have probably closed down until after the 4th of January when most businesses reopen.

I'm a Koni fan, so as soon as I bought my 1981 GS1000S back in 2000, I replaced the shocks and springs with new Koni 7610 series shocks and springs, but have to say I was slightly disappointed, as they don't do anything much better than the stockers, that are actually very good.

The Ikons are just as good (they're virtually the same shock) as Koni's, but the baastards increased the price about 30%, I paid about $350.00 AUD (about $275.00 US) for my Koni's, but now they retail for close to $500.00! ($400.00 US) Unbelieveable, I could handle paying 350 for something made in Holland that has to be shipped to Oz, but for something that's made 3 hours up the highway from my place, well, that just sucks!

Anyway, I picked up another pair of7610 series Koni's on ebay for cheap, and pulled them apart to rebuild, and I gotta say, after many years on a bike, the oil had seen the end of it's usefull life many years before! If anyone buys a used pair contact Proven Products in Australia (on the Ikon site) and spend the 25 bucks for a rebuild kit, and buy some new oil while you're at it. Cheers, Terry. :twisted:

 

[mcycle-nut]

I put some series 12 Progressives with heavy duty springs on my 750. BIG difference! I also have Progressive springs in the front. I'm thinking perhaps the 1100 should get some too..... :-k

 

[Joe Nardy]

For those of you who have gone the adjustable dampening way, how hard was it to fine tune the dampening to your riding style?

~Adam

Adam,

My GS1100 has the original shocks which have damping (the correct term by the way, not 'dampening') adjustment. There are four adjustment positions and the difference between them is very noticeable. If I am riding solo position three is pretty good, just a bit on the soft side. Position four is better for aggressive solo riding but noticeably harsh. With Cathy on the back position four is fine for most riding. If we're doing some highway miles I might back it down to position three for a softer ride but three is way too soft for any two up aggressive riding. Positions one and two must be for those skinny guys..................

Joe