Author Topic: Damper rebuilds  (Read 525 times)

Offline Yetanotherbike

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Damper rebuilds
« on: May 22, 2026, 11:10:07 AM »
I wonder if any you good people have any recomendations for damper overhauls. The rear damper on my bike a Honda CBF 500 is leaking. There seems to be a few people around, but recomendations from people are always good!
Many thanks
Triumph Daytona 995i
Honda CBF500
180 Laverda Jota
Laverda 750 Formula S
Kawasaki 900 Z1A
Morini 3 1/2 Sport
BSA C15
MV Agusta 125 1959 (project)
Honda CB400/4 F2 (project)
Saab 900 Turbo
Saab 96v4 Rally replica
Audi 100 Coupe S

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Damper rebuilds
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2026, 07:00:12 PM »
Just noticed the Audi 100 Coupe S on your list, lovely motor back in the day.

I used to sell them when new in 1974/5 metallic Turkis was my favourite colour.👍
« Last Edit: May 23, 2026, 05:51:02 PM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Yetanotherbike

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Re: Damper rebuilds
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2026, 12:46:03 PM »
Yes, the Audi is quite a looker, even if mine is Sahara gold (Beige). Not many of them around now, Spares are almost non existent and ultra expensive for what they are.
As regards the dampers, I have only had one damper specialist reply and has said they don't repair OEM dampers as they are not intended to be rebuit. So a new YSS  after-market damper has been ordered.
Triumph Daytona 995i
Honda CBF500
180 Laverda Jota
Laverda 750 Formula S
Kawasaki 900 Z1A
Morini 3 1/2 Sport
BSA C15
MV Agusta 125 1959 (project)
Honda CB400/4 F2 (project)
Saab 900 Turbo
Saab 96v4 Rally replica
Audi 100 Coupe S

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Damper rebuilds
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2026, 04:40:42 PM »
Yes, the Audi is quite a looker, even if mine is Sahara gold (Beige). Not many of them around now, Spares are almost non existent and ultra expensive for what they are.
As regards the dampers, I have only had one damper specialist reply and has said they don't repair OEM dampers as they are not intended to be rebuit. So a new YSS  after-market damper has been ordered.

I remember the name Sahara Gold, not the colour, the Audi 100 range were a good sellers, up until 1974.
Colours I remember included the Yellow & Bronze. Iirc the 100 LS saloon was about £1900 new, the Coupe was about & £600 more in 1973. Due to fluctuating  exchange prices Audi importers Thomas Tilling started adding an exchange surcharge that went up almost every month, the cost of new Audi's almost doubled in two years.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2026, 10:14:07 PM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Damper rebuilds
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2026, 11:58:49 AM »
Not the same bike but when I enquired about having the rear mono shock on the he NC30 rebuilt I was told everything could be rebuilt/refurbished but if the damper rod itself was corroded the shock would be scrap. The damper rod was slightly corroded so I've had to buy a new shock.
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30

Offline Yetanotherbike

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Re: Damper rebuilds
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2026, 02:53:54 PM »
It's ironic thats i've not long fitted 4 Bilstein B6 dampers to my classic Saab 900 Turbo and they were £447 in total. Not much more than one damper for my humble CBF500. Market forces at work :(
Triumph Daytona 995i
Honda CBF500
180 Laverda Jota
Laverda 750 Formula S
Kawasaki 900 Z1A
Morini 3 1/2 Sport
BSA C15
MV Agusta 125 1959 (project)
Honda CB400/4 F2 (project)
Saab 900 Turbo
Saab 96v4 Rally replica
Audi 100 Coupe S