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L.A.B.
Moderator
Joined: 20 Nov 2004
Posts: 1842
Location: Norfolk, UK
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 Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:42 am Post subject: |
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The easiest way is to click them all the way down (left to right as you look at them) to the soft position (they probably will be on soft if you've never adjusted them yet?)
Then just count the positions as you turn the cam adjuster (from right to left) as you look at it. The rings will need just under a quarter turn to move one position. There are only three positions, (same as the old Girlings) On medium setting, the edge of the fixed cam should just be visible below the adjuster ring, and on hard, it's about 10mm below the adjuster. |
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daveh
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 32
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject: commando rear shocks |
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| I expect delivery of these 'Girling equivalent' shocks next week and I shall report back to the Forum on how they work. |
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Gino Rondelli
Joined: 03 Jan 2008
Posts: 44
Location: Perth Scotland
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Gino,
Where and how much? |
Got them from SRM engineering in the UK but there is a US distributor , because I bought 2 sets I got a really good discount worked out at £244 a pait ( 2 1/2 times the cost of Girlings) |
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Per G
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Posts: 66
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: |
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Thanks LAB, informative posts as usual 
/Per |
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wrench
Joined: 22 Feb 2007
Posts: 153
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| Gino Rondelli wrote: | If you use your Commando rather than polish it then spend the money & get yourself decent shocks, having finally got fed up with hagon's & un named cheapo's which need to be replaced regularly I've ordered 2 set's of IKON's (Koni's) for the 2 Interstates. I'll keep you guy's posted on the results. I've a set of old Koni dial a rides on my JPN & they are brilliant compared to the girling/ hagon/ unnamed shocks.  |
Are there issues with Hagons? I haven't gotten my Commando together yet but purchased a pair already (too late to return). I'd always heard good things about them.
wrench |
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79x100
Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 688
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: |
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Hagons are a good honest shock for the price. The finish is not fantastic if you ride through salty winters and I find them, like the gas Girlings that they took over from, to be rather harsh and uncompliant. I preferred the original oil-damped Girlings which were quite adequate for normal street use on a Commando (They probably got a bit overheated on racing Z900s).
I don't think that you'll have any problems with Hagons but at one time Konis were not much dearer and I decided I preferred them. |
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L.A.B.
Moderator
Joined: 20 Nov 2004
Posts: 1842
Location: Norfolk, UK
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| wrench wrote: | | Are there issues with Hagons? |
Not really, the Hagons are reasonable value for money in my opinion, and many riders I'm sure, find them quite adequate for normal road use. They only have three spring preloads which doesn't always allow the optimum preload setting to be selected, and there's no damping adjustment, but then a lot of shocks don't have that. The paint/chrome finish isn't all that wonderful when subjected to winter weather, but should be good enough for a few seasons of "summer" riding without the finish deteriorating too much.
Of course you could spend a lot more money on better shocks with better performance and more adjustment range etc., like Ikons?
And five of my bikes are fitted with Hagons, of which my two BMWs are on their second set, the first pair having done several years service on one, the other is a monoshock so that first shock didn't last as long, (about 4-5 years?) but that bike gets a lot of use. The sixth bike still has its original gas Girlings, otherwise that too would probably have a pair of Hagons on it.
(79x100 posted as I was typing if I appear to have repeated some of what he had already said) |
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Baldrick
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Location: Mount Maunganui New Zealand
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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Greetings from downunder...
It's our winter solstice today and a storm is here for a few days.
Winter programme is new 2.15x19 aluminium rim on the back and a new AM26 waiting.
Rear brake drum is having a hone and new locally developed 'better brake pads fitted'...I'll keep you informed!
I have just come in from the shed and my 850 mk1 is running Ikons.
They were on when I got the bike 6,000 miles ago.
They seem ok and we do alot of two up riding and set on the 3rd setting we don't bottom out doing 70mph down a hill into a road bump.
The part number off the Ikons are 7610-1282
Cheers Baldrick |
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wrench
Joined: 22 Feb 2007
Posts: 153
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:47 am Post subject: |
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79x100, Lab--
Nice to know. I bought the chrome slimline spring with stainless top shroud, not cheap, so it's nice to know that they'll at least do the job.
I have set of Koni's from the 70s I'm considering rebuilding for the Duc. Ikon in Australia apparently sells a rebuild kit for it.
Cheers--
wrench |
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daveh
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 32
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: Commando rear shocks |
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I said I would update the Forum on these shocks:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170224157674&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123
They are made by Wassell. I had to replace my old Konis because of a burst seal. It feels like they have less compression damping than the Konis, which gives a more comfortable ride. The finish seems OK but how long it might last is another matter. If anyone else is interested, give the supplier time to check on fitment specifically for Commandos. I had to do some work to the 'eyes' before the shocks fitted to my satisfaction. However, he is very obliging and gave me a discount for my trouble and will check back with the manufacturer before offering them on his website again. I will be better able to assess their performance over the coming months, but for the moment, I'm happy with them. |
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hewhoistoolazytologin
Joined: 18 Mar 2005
Posts: 671
Location: deep in the woods of Schnitzelland
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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Lucky me...my Konis are still fine, the adjustable ones that you have to take apart to get them adjusted. Worth the effort. Number same as the ones from Ikon have, 76-1373. Had to put a couple extra washers on the bottom bolts to clear the chainguard, if I remember correctly, but all else ok...and they are real nice to ride.
Bought the Konis to replace the pair of DOT shocks I had bought at a parts meeting...Veterama in Mannheim or Ludwigshaven. DOTs were too soft for me, but may please someone out there...still new in box if someone wants to give them a try for the postage. Can send for 3,90 in Germany, England must be more...  If interested...PM me.
Back to question:
I'd guess that the way to go would be Ikons then...if they are the same item as my Konis. |
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nortonspeed
Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject: Commando rear shocks |
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[quote]BrianK wrote: I have IKONS on my 73 850. They work well. Be a bit nicer if they had adjustable rebound damping, but they don't. Ah well.
IKON only stock the standard non adjustable damping Commando shocks, but you CAN buy these full adjustable IKON shocks. Holland Norton Works can supply you with these full adjustable IKON shocks especially put together for their 'Perfect Commando' (www.hollandnortonworks.eu). |
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splatt
Joined: 14 Jul 2008
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| I had hagons on my 73 850 it rode down the road under its own steam,bucked kicked & wobbled when pushed hard in to corners. I fitted an old set of koni dial a rides softest spring #3 damping,now if I hit a corner to quick it just digs in harder. I have even started scraping away at my rear brake peddle. I would like to fit a good head steady but that could start getting scary. |
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cash
Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 416
Location: west cumbria
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| Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| splatt wrote: | | I would like to fit a good head steady but that could start getting scary. |
Nope, it with just open another door, one might say the missing link:D
Cash |
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Norton Commando Forum by Corporate Pages Web hosting using phpbb
The Unapproachable Norton Commando
At the end of 1967 the Norton Commando was announced.
The Norton Commando was greeted with a certain amount of scepticism because on first sight the commando appeared to comprise of the old Norton Dominator twin cylinder engine mounted at an inclined angle in a set of new cylinder parts.
It was not realized that the new Norton Commando Isolastic method of engine suspension damped out all engine vibration and produced a machine which had uncanny smoothness for a vertical twin. In due course the critics were silenced and the Norton Commando had the distinction of being regarded as the first of todays so called superbikes. There can be little doubt that the original design concept of the Norton Commando has proved correct, since comparatively few modifications of any real consequence have been made since production commenced during 1968.
Now nearly 40 years later Norton Commando riders like us are a breed of our own, and as far as we are concerned its still more fun to go for a blat on the old Norton Commando, and fast. As a Norton Commando owner and enthusiast, my goal here is to promote and give credit to those who keep the Norton name going.
It is more deserving to give credit to the Commando itself, for after all these years it continues to be respected. The original Commando designers like John Favill are those who deserve the credit for developing this incredible motorcycle.
The Norton Commando Roadster and Interstate of the late seventies, never died. Although the Norton Villiers factory dispersed the tradition lived on. Today Kenny Dreer in the USA is developing the new 952 CC Norton. What a great looking bike this is, and its engineering is still based on the original layout. It will be interesting to see how the new 952CC Norton does in todays tough motorcycle market. One thing is for sure, I would own one if I could afford it.
