Currently available shock absorbers?

[Mikep328]

Hi All!

Took the 400F out yesterday after a 5 month layup - started/ran perfectly!     BUT (there always seems to be a "but...") I now find the rear shocks to be less than I'd like.  I replaced the old shocks last year with a pair from DSS which fit perfectly and look original however I'd like a pair with improved capability - some adjustment other than the spring tension would be nice.

Any thoughts for something better than the DSS?

[K2-K6]

Its the "currently available" that trips up my thoughts on this. Not practical to suggest, but there appears to be some "Ikon" ex Koni design floating around that would be good if available in correct fitment. Ordinarily they were a well designed and made item when sold.

Something else to consider that makes a difference if significantly out of range is tyre pressure, that's if you've not already considered it.

There's usually a load index statement on the tyre to facilitate calculation of running pressure correct for the vehicle its used on. Modern tyre construction and resilience being someway distanced from original contemporary fitment, and can be bone hard if used on mild applications like this.

If you've got those details we can work out a more defined starting pressure to suit the bike which can make quite a shift in ride quality and grip characteristic as well.

[Mikep328]

Thanks for the response.  I fitted new OEM-size Dunlop K82s last year 300/18F, 350/18R and set the pressure per the owners manual for rider only - 26PSI F, 28PSI R. 

Load rating is 47F, 56R

[K2-K6]

There should ordinarily be also a load rating on the tyre stating something like " xxxx kg @ xx psi" to be able to calculate more accurately and check the specification.

56 R will give 106mph maximum speed, but will be capable of constant running with a 224 KG payload ..... for just that one tyre  !

To calculate competently, the load in kg / at xx psi is the detail needed to extrapolate a valid start point. This may differ from original Honda spec as current tyres are often significantly more capable in load carrying than the original fit, potentially making them too rigid if not checked like this.

It can just make a vehicle seem very harsh in suspension as they don't yeald in normal load situation as the original chassis engineers would have designed for.

Its an interesting practical exercise anyway and  can be quite revealing in vehicle dynamics.

[taysidedragon]

I seem to remember YSS shocks being recommended by a few members on here.

[Bryanj]

If you want to adjust damping Ikons are the best but cost as well

[Skoti]

Hi All!

Took the 400F out yesterday after a 5 month layup - started/ran perfectly!     BUT (there always seems to be a "but...") I now find the rear shocks to be less than I'd like.  I replaced the old shocks last year with a pair from DSS which fit perfectly and look original however I'd like a pair with improved capability - some adjustment other than the spring tension would be nice.

Any thoughts for something better than the DSS?

Got Ikon on my CB750F1.

Fully adjustable spring pre-load and damping.

Transformed the handling.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

I am finding the recently fitted DSS shocks a bit in the hard side for my bum compared to the old Hagon shocks that were there before.  I need to make or find a C spanner to dial them down a bit and see where that ends up.  I need comfort at my age! and I'm probably not going to be tearing about and grounding the foot pegs , or getting my foot trapped in the foot peg on my favorite corners any more.

Regards
Dave

[Mikep328]

My 400 had Hagons on it when I bought it and I don't recall it feeling excessively stiff.  I replaced them with the DSS shocks because I wanted the stock look...I suppose I could put the Hagons back on and see how they feel...

[Laverda Dave]

Remember you have to give new shocks a few hundred miles to bed in. They always appear to be very stiff at first.

[Mikep328]

Decided to try a set of these; totally NOT stock-looking but hey, back in the day we never left motos stock!    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285816354145

[Oddjob]

I'm currently restoring a pair of Konis I found in a box last year. They may be sold or they made be used, depending on how the restored Marzocchis perform. I'll let you know if they are available if you want.

[Skoti]

Decided to try a set of these; totally NOT stock-looking but hey, back in the day we never left motos stock!    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285816354145

I wasted money on DS shockers (pictured below) because after 3 years a seal started to leak.

You can at least repair Koni or Ikon shockers, but cheapo ones are not repairable and get binned.


Anyhow good luck with your purchase.

Skoti

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Decided to try a set of these; totally NOT stock-looking but hey, back in the day we never left motos stock!    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285816354145

It will be interesting to see if they fit okay & what you think of them when you have riden the bike.
They do look pretty cool and well finished , please pop some photos up when you have fiitted them.

[Mikep328]

Well...I TRIED to mount the new shocks but they will not clear the chain guard when adjusted to their shortest configuration which is still about 5mm longer than the original/DSS shocks.  With the guard removed they will fit BUT there is only a mm or two of clearance between the lower spring base and the drive chain - not enough to handle any flex or other vertical movement of the chain. And I would not omit a chain guard anyway so I brought them back home (garage is 1/2 mile away) with the intention of returning them. 

However, I am now thinking of trying them again, this time extending the shock so that it will clear the chain guard and therefore the chain.  They are very adjustable via a threaded lower mount BUT the longer shock could result in:

1. The rear wheel not lifting from the ground with the bike on the center stand - If that happens, they are a no go for me.  I use the centerstand a lot.

2. It may raise the rear of the bike when in the normal riding position which will alter the steering geometry.  However that may not happen depending on the spring's characteristics.  At its softest setting - as per out of the box - it is considerably less stiff than the DSS shock at its softest setting.  And it is a threaded adjustment for the spring tension so it has far greater adjustment range.

The only way to know is to go back and re-try.  So I think I'll do that later today.  I'll report back...  They ARE very nice looking pieces of kit and I would really like them to work!