Rear shocks

Could anybody help with some advise on rear shocks for a Commando 750 1972. I would like to carry a passanger but the shocks i have fitted bottom out with a 11stone passanger. Apart from putting him on a diet it would appear i need uprated shocks. Thanks Northy

Northy said:

I would like to carry a passanger but the shocks i have fitted bottom out with a 11stone passanger.

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Can you give us a bit more information about "the shocks you have fitted" = type? length? spring rate?

Otherwise I suggest you call Hagons, NJB or an Ikon supplier (Norman Hyde?) and see what combination of spring rate and dampers they recommend for you and your passenger's combined weight?

Its not the shock part but the spring part you need to upgrade. IIRC average rear progressive spring rate is 80-120, so might go 90-130 or 100-140. May take special order from Halgon vendors or other shock brank vendors-builders-makers.
The off road racer vendors may be a source of springs to switch out on current shocks. Also everyone who has put on a longer shock as reported liking its easier sharper handling sense, that'd give a inch more spring travel to take on hauling ass. Also there is an air shock posted here to top off to match loads. A shock search might find that posting. Can spend a lot more to get adjustable dampening and length change too.

Your stock shocks may just be shot, worn out and weak etcetc. So before you go ordering custom springs I'de check them out. Are they adjustable & do you have the set for how you want to use them???

Yeah they are adjustable they have 2 setting. At present i have them one the highest setting. I have since sourced someone
who can get me uprated Halgons for an extra £20. But he is now asking me what lenght i require any ideas people ????

I just got some Ikons that I am eager to try out. Since we still have snow on the ground it will be a bit. When I ordered them they asked what kind of riding weight the spring should be suited to as they basically custom build the shock to fit your riding. Might be worth checking out.

Russ

Northy said:

But he is now asking me what lenght i require any ideas people ????

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The standard Commando shocks are 12.9 inches (327mm) measured between the mounting eye bush centres-shock fully extended.

If you're bottoming out with a passenger, another option is to get a shock an inch longer between the eyes or use plate-steel risers at the swing arm. I have standard-length Hagon shocks built to give a firm ride for 225 lbs, with two-inch risers on the swing arm (I'm 6'6"). Handling is not unduly affected, although you may have to loosen the filter assembly and reposition it to clear the swing arm if you go to this extreme.

My tall 18-inch tire still has lots of daylight between the fender even with a full-sized passenger. Before this modification, with standard shocks and the highest preload I would routinely scrape the rear tire against the fender on just about any dip in the road--even riding solo.


Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net
Two Commandos