Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: DomP on November 29, 2025, 10:30:42 AM
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I need to replace the leaking, possibly original shocks on my bike and while I'm at it I think I might as well do the forks. Im considering either yss ecoline or Hagon shocks, with emulators in the forks with new springs. Does anyone have any input into this idea, ie progressive springs or standard and do I need to be careful with matching front to rear spring rates?
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Do you want it to look standard?
I used TEC rear shocks a good look alike, but the spring rate is too soft, and the damping faded after 30 miles,
My experience with Hagon is disappointing
Got a pair for my 200,spring far to hard, and the unit was about 20mm to long, making wheel removal complicated, need to remove exhaust as well,
Seemed fairly expensive, but look good quality,
Let's face it, these bikes will never handle like an RC30 ,or be ridden like one,
The front fork are quite good, I use ATF,but if a little soft, add some 30 oil to make it thicker, play until you get what you want,
Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk
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If you can afford it get Ikons,(used to be koni) unbeatable but dear! As to forks standard build with the medium fork oil BUT need to be pit free and straight, Phillpots
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Definitely not looking for a standard look, crap roads around me too so a more compliant shock is probably wise.
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As Bryan says get Ikons if you can.
I fitted proprietary shockers from DS which are very similar to TEC ones with no manufacturers name stamped on them, they leaked after about 2 years, so a waste of money.
See photos here:-
https://photos.app.goo.gl/19Z7J2ZBX4GEyStA9 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/19Z7J2ZBX4GEyStA9)
Then I replaced them with Ikons which transformed the ride, plus they're fully adjustable for spring tension and damping.
That was over 7 years ago and 18,000 miles of mostly two up touring.
The other thing is they are fully serviceable, with all replacement parts available.
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I can't seem to find a seller of Ikon in the UK
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I can't seem to find a seller of Ikon in the UK
Try here:-
https://www.morebikes.co.uk/new-features/news/9967/ikon-shocks-available-uk/ (https://www.morebikes.co.uk/new-features/news/9967/ikon-shocks-available-uk/)
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Thats coming up as an article from 2014 for me
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Thats coming up as an article from 2014 for me
Link in the article:-
Call 01926 430562 or visit www.ikonshocks.co.uk for details of fitments and prices.
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Ah fair enough😄
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I can remember buying a brand new set of Konis for my GT750 back in 1978, total cost about £42 which equated to about a weeks wages back then.
Best shocks I ever had !
Can't remember exactly what I did with them, but I put the std shocks back on the GT when I sold it in '87.
I also remember having a GS750 which I fitted with brand new Koni "dial a rides" with the adjustable damping.
Can't remember what I did with those either.
Probably swapped or sold them at some point.
Youth is a wonderful thing, but sadly it's slipped away completely now.
If only I'd kept all those wonderful things that I sold for peanuts back in the day.
On a brighter note, I picked up a pair of mint Progressive Suspension units for my 750 Four for the princely sum of £26.
Seller just wanted shot of them.
About $350 new in the US I believe
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Hagons seem popular and not excessively priced too
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Can anyone give any opinion on the Hagon basic shocks and the 2820 with damping adjustment? 2820s with stainless body are roughly £365 a set as opposed to £276 with only preloaded adjustment. Both are available with mild steel bodies but i can see them rusting
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Thing with Hagons is they started out as girlings and when we sold those we noticed that they supplied the same length for all the fours but different springs.
I have never dealt with Hago(they bought the bankrupt girling shock business) but They wereshown on one of Henry Coles programs in the last year (dont ask which one i can barely remember yesterday) and when my mate had problems with his trike rear suspension they said bring it down and we will custom build for same price, that ŵas about 3 years ago.
I would check that the length between mountings is as Honda then trust their maths on spring rates
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Thanks Bryan, they are 310mm centre to centre so about 10mm shorter than stock.
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£365 seems a lot for sealed, unserviceable shocks
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As long as youre solo with no luggage you will be ok with a stanard size tyre but dont fit a big one or it will botton on the mudguard
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As long as youre solo with no luggage you will be ok with a stanard size tyre but dont fit a big one or it will botton on the mudguard
Bonus is I weigh about as much as a packet of Quavers
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£365 seems a lot for sealed, unserviceable shocks
Hagon shocks are serviceable.
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I was very keen on the Ikon shocks but have discovered they cost more than my bike is worth.
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Oh Yes, theyare 'kin spensive BUT having ridden severat bikes back in the70s after fitting them its impossible to describe the difference it was waaaay beterwith Konis
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£365 seems a lot for sealed, unserviceable shocks
Hagon shocks are serviceable.
Oh are they! Didn't think they were so that changes things
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I ordered pair of hagon shocks for my Royal Enfield Continental GT535
To my surprise, Hagons called me to discus my weight, pillions weight, riding style and then sent me shocks to suit
I bolted them on and they have performed admirably for many years
I do confess, my rationale for replacing the original shocks was because they were hideous yellow and gold, with a remote reservoir that looked out of place on a retro cafe racer!
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I ordered pair of hagon shocks for my Royal Enfield Continental GT535
To my surprise, Hagons called me to discus my weight, pillions weight, riding style and then sent me shocks to suit
I bolted them on and they have performed admirably for many years
I do confess, my rationale for replacing the original shocks was because they were hideous yellow and gold, with a remote reservoir that looked out of place on a retro cafe racer!
Did you get the version with compression adjustment etc?
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Bit the bullet and ordered some stainless Hagon shocks to my weight
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I ordered pair of hagon shocks for my Royal Enfield Continental GT535
To my surprise, Hagons called me to discus my weight, pillions weight, riding style and then sent me shocks to suit
I bolted them on and they have performed admirably for many years
I do confess, my rationale for replacing the original shocks was because they were hideous yellow and gold, with a remote reservoir that looked out of place on a retro cafe racer!
Did you get the version with compression adjustment etc?
They were for a 29bhp Royal Enfield Continental GT535 so no
Pre-load adjustment only, but you do get a C spanner with the shocks !
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I will need new shocks for the 550 I am restoring so It will be interesting to know how you go on with the Hagon stainless shocks. I did speak to the guy on the Hagon stand at the Stafford show in October and he recommended them for the 550. They are not cheap but also not too expensive either and I would expect far better than the DS ones.
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Ill keep you posted when I get them, they weren't cheap but filled my aesthetic needs and tuned to my weight rather than generic springs, which being quite small most are well over sprung for me
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I’ve completed a full restoration of a set of Marzocchi AG Strada rear shocks and found a set of Koni shocks from when I stripped the bike. The idea was to restore those and sell them on but now I’m wondering if holding onto them until I’m happy with the Stradas before letting them go. I’m about half way through the resto but then got ill so when they’ll be done is anyone’s guess.
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How are you doing now Ken?
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Coming on but progress is really slow. Still trying to be back on a bike in April but it may not happen or it may. Walking further, managed round the block the other day, new record. That’s about 900 yards I reckon.
Still in a lot of pain, drugged out of my head most days. Not looking forward to Xmas if I’m honest.
Speaking to Roo a fair bit, he’s having a rough spell and it shows that I should be grateful for what I have.
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Keep going Ken, we are all with you, tell Roo to contact me
I would say merry christmas but bah humbug soundsbetter!
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interested about the Stradas Ken. I have a pair lurking in the workshop somewhere. Is it still possible to get the service kits?
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Yep still possible but not cheap. Place in Itsly does a lot of the parts. I’ll see if I can find a link.
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Coming on but progress is really slow. Still trying to be back on a bike in April but it may not happen or it may. Walking further, managed round the block the other day, new record. That’s about 900 yards I reckon.
Still in a lot of pain, drugged out of my head most days. Not looking forward to Xmas if I’m honest.
Speaking to Roo a fair bit, he’s having a rough spell and it shows that I should be grateful for what I have.
Good to hear of progress Ken. Having the riding as aim to focus on useful too.
Maybe a group purchase of that "Bar-Humbug" light would be in order to strengthen the curmudgeonly spirit on here ;D adversity a good motivation in life.