Commando Mk III shocks

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wjrich

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Did a search and read a lot of interesting stuff regarding people's opinions on the best shocks for a Mk III Commando. Unfortunately, all the great information kind of made things as unclear as before. I'm about 190 lbs and rarely ride 2- up, and am generally a conservative rider, and the roads here in Illinois are generally in pretty terrible shape. What are some good options for shcks that look somewhat original and can give me a decent ride?
(my apologies in advance for asking for product recommendations)
 
Not cheap, but Ikons are very good. The first shocks I've ever had on anything where I've left the spring preload on it's minimum setting. Control the rear end nicely and comfortable to boot.
 
Excerpt from an earlier post improving-the-ride-t19627.html
mikegray660 said:
as mentioned change your fork oil - and as far as rear shocks you pay for what you get. I know some people like the hagons (or emgos) but i think (as do others) their crap and if you plan on serious riding i'd look elsewhere. If the ride doesn't improve to your liking after the oil weight change, you can think about other rear shock alternatives. a forum search would help but the NJB racing shocks are a (NJB CLASSIC RACING) very good shock for the $ but are not intended for 2 up riding if that matters. if you want to splash for very good shocks works performance (i have them on both my commandos in addition to 2 of my laverdas(1200 and RGS) ) are very good shocks as are the Gazi which for the $ are very good as they have adjustable rebound in addition to preload selection (i have these on my SF2 laverda). make sure too that your swing arm moves free as a frozen swing arm spindle from lack of lubrication can make the ride incredibly harsh and fool one into thinking there shocks/forks are f'd
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I've used Works shocks on my dirt bikes, and love them. As for the Norton, that'll probably be next season's big expense. There's plenty of other threads along these lines that will come your way with a bit of searching.

Nathan
 
+1 for the IKONs, I switched last year & added a Lansdowne conversion & Avon RoadRiders, completely transformed my Mk III for the better! - runs on rails and exceeds my abilities

Forkwise I also spoke with Maxton (good but relatively expensive) and the people who do the Showa conversion (they told me not to spend the money with them unless I was racing)

Other options are available.

Mike

MK III Commando
 
Ok so I'm looking at the Ikom website and it seems that the model 7610-1653-SP9 seems to be the model for the Commando. A bit pricey at $460- are they worth it?
 
The recommended IKON (ex KONI) shock for Norton Commando is 76-1373. This type of shock has adjustable rebound damping but in order to adjust it the spring must be removed.
The 7610 shocks have a little wheel to adjust the damping (no need to disassemble) but the adjustment mechanism makes them more fragile. This is why they are not recommended for the Norton Commando where the rear shock is exposed to serious vibration thanks to the isolastic architecture.
 
yes - the ikons are good
there are these also which are excellent and have more adjustable options http://www.gazisuspension.com/shock-abs ... e-sl400300

if its worth it depends on you and how much you ride the bike - and how long your going to keep it. $450 and owning it for 10 year+ is pretty cheap

its been mentioned the only thing cheap on a norton is the owner, and while i don't believe in a lot of the bling that some around here do, a good pair of shocks is an must have item if your actually going to put miles on the thing and be able to walk upright after you get off



http://www.gazisuspension.com/shock-abs ... e-sl400300

wjrich said:
Ok so I'm looking at the Ikom website and it seems that the model 7610-1653-SP9 seems to be the model for the Commando. A bit pricey at $460- are they worth it?
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ha - anyone who owns a real trident can't be cheap (if they want to keep it going!) :mrgreen:

Nater_Potater said:
mikegray660 said:
its been mentioned the only thing cheap on a norton is the owner...
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:lol: :lol: :lol: It's because I'm Scottish! Don't judge me!!!
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several years ago maybe 10 I bought progressive shocks for our Mk3 here in Illinois. You buy the springs and the body seperately now I think? We ride mostly two-up. I have the black springs w/black body style. They were probably $300 back then. Single compression adjustment only. JC Whitney sells progressive's. Or your local motorcycle shop? One thing to watch out for is the clearance of the springs to the chain guard and swing arm no matter which ones you buy.

Tim
 
The clearance problem isn't a real problem that a couple of flat washers won't fix.
 
Ended up with a pair of Emgo shocks for about $120. Not sure how long thy will last, but they do feel a heck of a lot better than what was on there...
 
You get what you pay for, as for Ikon (Koni) you will pay a lot of money for but they will last a life time, i have had my old Koni's for over 36 years now and have just been rebuilt as of 36 years of hard riding one blew a main seal, cost just on $40 for a rebuild kit and was a easy job to do, my Koni's costed $245 when I brought them 36 years ago which was a lot of money them days, when I brought the seal kit from Ikon I also brought a new pair of shocks for my project bike, they are the same as my old Koni shocks but shorter for the slimline frame.

The best thing about Ikon shocks they are rebuildable and parts are cheap, you will never have to replace your shock again.

Ashley
 
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