Good reasonable priced rear shocks

mean gene

mean gene

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Sooo looking on line for a 12 - 12 1/2 inch rear shock for a project Norton, I have found $69 shocks from China that look trick but usually have too stiff a spring for my 165 pound body and $700 from Progressive. You all ride and modify so what do you suggest. Prefer to have aluminum housing but do have a budget Thanks
 
What's your budget. The Ikon AL fully adjustable shocks (7614-1653) are $600 in the US. If you want the chrome springs add another $50 plus $25 for shipping. Their basic shocks are only $300. There's also Hagon
 
You get what you pay for. Shocks priced at $69 will probably last 6 months. I recommend NJB Shocks (Norman J. Blakemore), UK. He will configure a pair priced at 90-100 GBP.

- Knut
 
mdt-son said:
You get what you pay for. Shocks priced at $69 will probably last 6 months. I recommend NJB Shocks (Norman J. Blakemore), UK. He will configure a pair priced at 90-100 GBP.

- Knut
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Well happy with NJB shock i have fitted
 
(my 2-cent opinion) i'm cheap! bought standard emgo service replacements for my 74Mk2. 3 years, and about 3K miles, and no complaints. ride quality and the handling - i have nothing to compare them to, and they seem to fit the bill for my type of riding. so happy with them, bought a similar pair for my spitfire project. i'd give them two thumbs up for form, fit, and function. seems they were around 100$/pair.
 
I have the NJB as well. Surprised at the interference between the left shock eye and the chainguard. I will be shimming it to fit (bike is being built up on a lift so no recommendation yet on ride).
 
Jdub said:
I have the NJB as well. Surprised at the interference between the left shock eye and the chainguard. I will be shimming it to fit (bike is being built up on a lift so no recommendation yet on ride).
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Some Koni rear shocks that were a available fit for Commandos years ago interfered with the chain guard...their dial a ride shock that were more expensive and available at the time fitted perfectly
Ikons would be my choice as they have budget suited variants
 
Depends what you mean by ‘good’ and ‘reasonably priced’ !

I had some brand new Emgo jobs on a T140 and they were nothing short of unfit for purpose IMO. They were dirt cheap, but they were utter crap, so the cost, however low, was actually unreasonable to me.

But then again, others are happy with ‘em.

I’m no Rossi but I do like good suspenders. My old bikes all have either Maxton or K-Tech now. They‘re not cheap, but given the quality I’d definitely call the cost ‘reasonable’.
 
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You get what you pay for back in 1979 I invested in a set of Koni shocks were $250 back in them days, a lot of money but they are still on the bike to this day with over 160k mile on them, one blew a main seal 9 years ago and a rebuild kit from Ikon cost $40 and I rebuilt them myself, wasn't a major job at all if you have the tools, I also ran Ikon shocks on all my modern Triumphs and also a new set for my 1960 Manxman project bike, the new Ikon were $550 delivered to my front door.
The new Ikons are the same as my old Koni shocks in adjustments and design, they handle very well, easy to adjust, last a life time and the best of all easy to rebuild if they do need to be, pay the extra money and get a set of shocks that will last a life time, I put a new set of Ikon shocks on my 2016 Thruxton and has change to handling of a good bike to a great handling bike so why would I change to any other shock when the Koni/Ikons work so well, I push all my bikes hard when in the twisties, I also do a lot of long travels on my bikes and also carry heavy loads when traveling I just adjust my shocks for the riding style or travels they are so simple and Ikon Aus is so good to deal with, I had to order my new Ikons for my Thruxton they had to be made as they had none in stock at the time said it be 3 weeks but within a week they were delivered to my front door express post, now you can't beat that for service and the rebuild kit for my old Koni's was delivered next day post.

Ashley
 
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My modern Bonneville came with the best shocks Triumph could buy at a $20 price point ;-)
Bike tended to wallow In corners and was harsh over bumps. One particular bump on a regular route would always throw me up off the seat. Swapped in a pair of used Hagon Classic II's with the shrouded springs. These had spring spec'd to my weight range. Huge difference. Firm but not harsh. No longer thrown off seat on that same bump. Have heard Hagon will build to suit your riding weight and the units are rebuildable for future proofing.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Depends what you mean by ‘good’ and ‘reasonably priced’ !

I had some brand new Emgo jobs on a T140 and they were nothing short of unfit for purpose IMO. They were dirt cheap, but they were utter crap, so the cost, however low, was actually unreasonable to me.

But then again, others are happy with ‘em.

I’m no Rossi but I do like good suspenders. My old bikes all have either Maxton or K-Tech now. They‘re not cheap, but given the quality I’d definitely call the cost ‘reasonable’.
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Amen. EMGO sucked. Bad.
Now I paid for EMGO AND Ikon.
Buy once, cry once.
I know, "project bike".
Who's your target audience.
 
I'm still running original rears on my Commando, over 20k miles and 49 yrs young. Seem just fine for my laid back riding style.
 
hi,
just to keep a vague appearance of originality I would have to stick with the standard girdling gas dampers or at least something with a reasonably similar look.
After a lifetime on British bikes riding as hard as I feel comfortable (or uncomfortable) I’ve never really had any problems with the standard shocks. Presumably there has been huge advances in shock technology but we then again our entire bikes are obsolete, yet mine can still put a smile on my dial.
Alan
 
concours said:
Amen. EMGO sucked. Bad.
Now I paid for EMGO AND Ikon.
Buy once, cry once.
I know, "project bike".
Who's your target audience.
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I had some cheap Far Eastern shocks on a T140 (I think they were Emgo) and I can only describe them as frankly unfit for purpose.

Awful things.

But hey… they were cheap… and they were black and shiny… so there’s a big market for them…!
 
Hagen for me i tried NJB but one lost its damping in a few months - but then my riding is hard! If you want the best - Reiger or Falcon.
 
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