Rear shocks slow compress return

[OriginalOwner]

1981 GS 750E

After putting the bike on the center-stand after a ride today I noticed that the rear shocks stayed compressed about 1 inch -- and after 20 seconds or so, they rose back into the proper position. I was able to recreate this by slammed my butt down on the seat and watching. It does a slow return about half the time.

Is there a fix for this?

They're the original stockers and they're in good shape aesthetically, so I'd like top keep them if possible.

Thanks!

 

[JJ]

Don't keep worn out 35 year old shocks. They are unstable, unsafe, and can't be rebuilt. Buy new ones.

Welcome to the GSR!

 

[Guest]

Original shocks are long past their best before date. Replace them with new aftermarket ones and enjoy the ride and handling.


Mark

 

[OriginalOwner]

Don't keep worn out 35 year old shocks. They are unstable, unsafe, and can't be rebuilt. Buy new ones.

Welcome to the GSR!

Original shocks are long past their best before date. Replace them with new aftermarket ones and enjoy the ride and handling.

Mark

Thanks for the insight fellas and thanks for the welcome too.

Do you have any suggestions for adding new shocks yet keeping the original look? Or is it it always gonna be obvious that they're aftermarket? Which shocks do you guys like/suggest for this bike?

TIA

:-k

 

[alke46]

www.davequinnmotorcyles.com this is the one place that a lot of guys on this forum recommend.
Welcome to the site. Beautiful looking bike.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the insight fellas and thanks for the welcome too.

Do you have any suggestions for adding new shocks yet keeping the original look? Or is it it always gonna be obvious that they're aftermarket? Which shocks do you guys like/suggest for this bike?

TIA

:-k

I have Ikon shocks on my 1100E, there are also Hagon and Progressive Suspension options that look similar to the OEM shocks.

My bike with the Ikon's:

Mark

 

[Doug]

Even Amazon has bike shocks.

However they are not going to look like your originals and they're probably 9C's.... Cheap Chinese Communist Conscripted Child Cruelty Conflicting Capitalism Crap.

 

[OriginalOwner]

I have Ikon shocks on my 1100E, there are also Hagon and Progressive Suspension options that look similar to the OEM shocks.

My bike with the Ikon's:





Mark

Thanks Mark.

My bike, except for the handlebars, is totally stock. I like your bike but mine is a very different animal.

Truthfully, I'm not sure what to do at this point. I've looked a bit and nothing has that 100 percent stock look.

I'm also surprised how expensive a set of shocks has gotten. I'll keep looking and THANK YOU;

@JJ
@Doug
@Alke46
@mmattockx

for the advise and insight.


:adoration::adoration::adoration:

 

[JJ]

Thanks Mark.

My bike, except for the handlebars, is totally stock. I like your bike but mine is a very different animal.

Truthfully, I'm not sure what to do at this point. I've looked a bit and nothing has that 100 percent stock look.

I'm also surprised how expensive a set of shocks has gotten. I'll keep looking and THANK YOU;

@JJ
@Doug
@Alke46
@mmattockx

for the advise and insight.


:adoration::adoration::adoration:

You're welcome. At this point, your main concern HAS to be SAFETY, and not keeping the shocks looking original. Trust me when I say the shocks on it are worn out.

 

[OriginalOwner]

I'm realizing now that I don't even know how to buy motorcycle shocks.

Are they by size/dimension? Or by part number?

What do you guys recommend? I don't need the be$t -- but I don't want crap either. I'd like to go all chrome to try to keep the original look as best I can?

Where do I start?

 

[bobgroger]

You can buy new Suzuki ones. For $185 each....
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/suzuki/SP-62100-45410.html

 

[OriginalOwner]

You can buy new Suzuki ones. For $185 each....
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/suzuki/SP-62100-45410.html

Pretty cool, thanks.

But everywhere else I've looked for the OEM, I've been told they're obsolete. Do you suppose that Partzilla is substituting an aftermarket shock?

Do you find it troubling that it's not the OEM part number and that there's no picture?

I'm new to this??

 

[cowboyup3371]

Hagons are a very good deal that can be found from either Z1 Enterprises (www.z1enterprises.com) or through Dave Quinn (www.davequinnmotorcycles.com)

 

[Steve]

It was often said "back in the day", that the stock shocks were only good for keeping the frame off the rear tire long enough for the owner of the NEW bike to get some decent shocks.

And that was 35 years ago.

How do you buy new shocks? You have been given several good resources. Hagon suspension is highly rated, available from Dave Quinn Motorcycles (link given above) or Z1 Enterprises. If you call Dave Quinn directly (his preferred method of contact), he will discuss your bike, your gravitational attraction and your riding style to select the proper damping and spring rate. There are several styles available, but the basic $200 set looks remarkably like OEM and works very well.

If you just HAVE to have that "look" of OEM, you must be entering the bike at the Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance, where EVERYTHING must be original quality. Except for those picky snobs, there are two classes of people: 1. Those who will see what you have, recognize it and tell you "great choice", and 2. Those who barely recognize that it's a motorcycle and wouldn't know a shock absorber from a clutch handle.

You have already told us how unsafe your shocks are, get over the "look" aspect, get some SAFE shocks on there and go riding. But make sure you only get OEM dirt on the bike.

.

 

[JJ]

Yeah... what he said! ---^^

I can't believe that you originally posted about your worn out shocks almost a year ago, and haven't replaced them with some modern ones yet!

SMH

 

[OriginalOwner]

It was often said "back in the day", that the stock shocks were only good for keeping the frame off the rear tire long enough for the owner of the NEW bike to get some decent shocks.

And that was 35 years ago.

How do you buy new shocks? You have been given several good resources. Hagon suspension is highly rated, available from Dave Quinn Motorcycles (link given above) or Z1 Enterprises. If you call Dave Quinn directly (his preferred method of contact), he will discuss your bike, your gravitational attraction and your riding style to select the proper damping and spring rate. There are several styles available, but the basic $200 set looks remarkably like OEM and works very well.

If you just HAVE to have that "look" of OEM, you must be entering the bike at the Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance, where EVERYTHING must be original quality. Except for those picky snobs, there are two classes of people: 1. Those who will see what you have, recognize it and tell you "great choice", and 2. Those who barely recognize that it's a motorcycle and wouldn't know a shock absorber from a clutch handle.

You have already told us how unsafe your shocks are, get over the "look" aspect, get some SAFE shocks on there and go riding. But make sure you only get OEM dirt on the bike.

.

Not finding much using the part number. I'm actually finding nothing on Z1enterprises using my year make and model?

So, I guess I should take off one of the existing shocks and measure it? That'll determine what shock, in the various brands, that I should be looking at and pricing, right?

I'll try to call dave quinn today as well, thanks for the tip! But I'm learning that Hagon is having quality and management issues. I'm still trying to figure this out.

:encouragement:

 

[Stuarth]

I bought Progressive Suspension shocks and springs for my 77 GS550 and they work fine. I also have them on my 76 XS650 and have been pleased with the ride and handling. The shocks are about $180 a pair, and the springs are another $80 or so if memory serves. You can get the part numbers from the Progressive Suspension website and then shop around. I ended up finding the best price on Amazon. I'll likely remove the spring shroud for a more stock appearance later.

 

[OriginalOwner]

Those look great!!

Thanks!

:victorious:

 

[Guest]

I'm realizing now that I don't even know how to buy motorcycle shocks.

Are they by size/dimension? Or by part number?

What do you guys recommend? I don't need the be$t -- but I don't want crap either. I'd like to go all chrome to try to keep the original look as best I can?

Where do I start?

To keep the stock look I would second (or third or whatever) the Hagons. They have chrome springs available, look very much like OEM, are reasonably priced and perform well. Dave Quinn will give you better options and service than the choices at Z1 from what I have heard and seen.


Mark

 

[OriginalOwner]

To keep the stock look I would second (or third or whatever) the Hagons. They have chrome springs available, look very much like OEM, are reasonably priced and perform well. Dave Quinn will give you better options and service than the choices at Z1 from what I have heard and seen.


Mark

Thanks, spoke to Dave Quinn this morning, nice people. They don't have a "bright body" option -- I can get chrome springs with the black body.

I may indeed end up with these but I'm still searching. Dave Quinn advised that I need a 13" shock by OEM standard -- that was information that I could not find until they advised.

Any help, comments or suggestions are welcomed.

:encouragement: