Suspension---wow

[chiphead]

Do you have a direct link to these MDI shocks? I looked a few times on the Parts N More web site, but can't seem to manage to locate them. Thanks!

Fits: GS1100GK (82-86), GS1100G/GL (82-83), 1GS1000G/GL (80-81), GS850G/GL (79-83), 1GS650G/GL (81-83), GS550/E/L/T (78-81), 1GS450E/L/TX (83), GS450E/L/S (80-81), GS450GA (82-83

Part#06-3601
https://www.partsnmore.com/cat_index.php?model=gs&category=chassis​

I'm @ 220 lbs. I've read that they are a bit stiff. They can't be any worse that the ancient Konis I have on now. They only ship on Tuesdays and Fridays so I won't see these until next week sometime. To my knowledge, springs are not available separately.​

 

[Guest]

Thanks chiphead!!!

 

[ryonker]

Fits: GS1100GK (82-86), GS1100G/GL (82-83), 1GS1000G/GL (80-81), GS850G/GL (79-83), 1GS650G/GL (81-83), GS550/E/L/T (78-81), 1GS450E/L/TX (83), GS450E/L/S (80-81), GS450GA (82-83

Part#06-3601
https://www.partsnmore.com/cat_index.php?model=gs&category=chassis​

I'm @ 220 lbs. I've read that they are a bit stiff. They can't be any worse that the ancient Konis I have on now. They only ship on Tuesdays and Fridays so I won't see these until next week sometime. To my knowledge, springs are not available separately.​

Do they have a model that would fit a 78 750C?

Rick

 

[posplayr]

They can't be any worse that the ancient Konis I have on now.

Konis shold be rebuildable and if teh srpings are not sized for you you can probably have them swapped. That would be a upper class shock.

It have damping adjustment right?

 

[chiphead]

Konis shold be rebuildable and if teh srpings are not sized for you you can probably have them swapped. That would be a upper class shock.

It have damping adjustment right?

Correct, they have a damping adjustment.

 

[knotzilla]

Hi, I received my MDI shocks but found out one end has a clevis mount. I need eye mounts on both ends. The part number I ordered is 32-0203. Can anyone confirm to my the right part number for a 1980 gs850g, Thanks Ted

 

[chiphead]

OK. Just went for it and ordered the MDI shocks. I'll let you know how it turns out. $80.00 shipped.

OK. Week or so and 200 miles after installing the MDIs.
These are cheap shocks. Plastic bushing instead of metal in the rubber mount points. They give you 4 different sized very flexible plastic bushings to choose to get the closest fit to whatever diameter your shock mounts are. The washers they provide have too big of an I.D. for the mounts on my 1100G. This means if you use them, as I did, you need to dick around with trying to get them to sit square against the rubber and plastic mounts. PITA. There are no hints, tips, instructions or directions enclosed with the shocks. Cosmetic build quality looks good. The shocks are stiffly sprung. I am 215 or so and am riding on the lowest preload setting. The first 100 miles or so were kidney rattling over serious bumps. They seem to be settling in nicely now though.

Having said all that, the difference in handling is startling. 1100Gs were never considered a sport bike but the confidence in the corners after replacing the god knows how old Konis I had on the bike is quite amazing. I already have an 1100E front end with progressive springs. Prior to installing the MDIs my bike would wallow enough to scare me in moderate cornering situations. I went out to the coast today and was fortunate to hit a series of S curves with no traffic on my way home a few miles from my house. I thought this was the time to put these puppies to the test. The toe of my left boot has the scuff marks to prove the results. Prior to the MDIs I have NEVER dragged the toe of my size 12. Bottom line: cheap but worth it if your on a budget.

 

[knotzilla]

I finally got my mdi's. I found that the plastic inserts for the bushings are useless. Here's what I done. Throw away the plastic inserts and use 1/4" npt pipe along with the rubber insert with the largest hole. The outside diameter is just right but the inside has to be drilled with a 29/64" drill and then filed with a round file or dremiled just a tad to get a close tolerance. After installing the shocks on my bike I noticed a big improvemant in cornering. I would recommend the shocks as a inexpensive substitute for the original shocks. Ted

 

[crapwacker]

Wow, I'm glad to hear those MDI's worked out for you, I put a set on over the weekend and they pretty much turned mine into a hardtail! I bit the bullet and went with some Hagon's. They should be here tomorrow.

 

[sonnygs1100]

will the mdi fit my 81 gs 1100e

 

[crapwacker]

will the mdi fit my 81 gs 1100e

I'm not sure, mine are 13" eye to clevis. but they do make them in an eye to eye configuration

 

[gearhead13]

I just installed a set of MDI's on my bike. It seems to handle better although I think it will be even better at higher speeds. Not so good if you have a lot of potholes around, the damping is quite stiff, but I think they will soften up after a while. I am ~240 lbs BTW

 

[knotzilla]

They are a bit stiff even at the lowest setting, I assuming they will "soften" up a little. I had the wife on the back last night, She is a full fiqure girl if you know what I mean and she loved how much more smoother the ride is. Ted

 

[82Shafty]

I just upgraded my GS1000G from the stock shocks to Koni (now Ikon) units. The handling difference, is, to put it mildly, nothing short of unbelievable.

I won't go so far as to now call "The Beast" nimble, but once I get new Pirelli Sport Demons on to replace the pretty much done Cheng-Shins, I might....

What was the part number for the rear and where did you acquire them from?

 

[lucabond]

I put these on my Gs1100gk and what a differance, I also put progressive springs in the front and the old girl rides like new. Very nice in the twisty's, I didnt find them to stiff on my Gk maybe because of the weight of the bike. I replaced the rubber bushings with some from the auto part store made for sway bars or some such. Had to trim them alittle and enlarge the hole in the middle. J.c. Whitney carries then too.
I didnt know such a large old bike could ride so nimble and feel so light.