Shock Absorbers?

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Bruce MacGregor

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Hi, I'm going thru my brake & suspension system (Norton) this winter and am trying to figure out if my original 1974 shocks are DOA or O.K.
With the springs off the shock, the rebound / extention takes about 10 - 12 lbs force to pull it all the way out.
For compression it takes about 2 lbs of force to compress the fork all the way in,( Both shocks about the same).
I would think that the damping should be much greater on both compression & rebound.
Does any one else have norton shocks laying around that they could test??
Does any one know what the actual damping values and characteristicts should be?
Assuming they are DOA, What shock should I buy & from who? ( Yes I did a search here)
 
I don't have the shocks off my bike but I know mine are toast , all I have to do is go over a good bump with some speed and feel the pogo effect of the springs. I have been looking at Ikon shocks and unless somebody convinces me otherwise plan to buy the 7610-1653.

http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/servlet/Detail?no=109


Russ
 
iN most applications the compression dampening is much less than the rebound/extension dampening, to take up sharp shock loads quickly but retard the spring back so don't upset bike and rider. If other way around or even almost equal the holes/lump would jar your teeth then spring off surface contact and maybe pilot out of saddle. Thanks for the report of the expected ratio of rebound vs compression dampening on vintage type shocks. Education i can use.
 
I don't know what the performance difference is between ikon and hagon, but there does seem to be quite a price gap. I have hagons on both commnandos with good results. Well at least the one I have ridden for 10 years.
 
I think the ikon's are rebuildable and the hagon's are not rebuildable but replaceable.
 
Gas Hagons always felt to me like Gas Girlings - harsh and uncompliant. Heavier riders don't seem to mind them. I always felt that Girlings took a step backwards when they dropped the oil damped type (although they could be quite leaky).

I stocked up on Koni's (now Ikons) and find they give a much better ride. They always said that the 'Dial-a-Ride' type didn't fit Commando top gussets but I have seen it done. I never felt the need to have external damping adjustment though. The plain version can be adjusted with the spring removed.
 
Bruce, your description sounds just about right for stock shocks. The hard part is actually knowing if they act as a pair after they are warmed up, easier to buy a new matched up pair.
 
So has anyone tried something that is still made like the ikons. I'd switch if I heard good results from someone.
 
I've run Ikons for some time and I wouldn't swap for anything else. I have the spring preload on the softest setting and I'm no lightweight but comfort and handling are first class.
 
When I talked to the Ikon rep he said the shocks would be equipped with springs taylored to my weight. Plus they have four settings for different conditions or when I throw the ole lady on the back. I don't think you can ask for a lot more than that! Well, I guess it would be nice if they came equipped the the ole lady, but I don't really need another!

Russ
 
Interesting Replies! I thought the Hagons would be perfered on Nortons! Old Britts carries them, Dave Quin is the US importer.
But most of you liked the Ikon 7610-1653 @ $330 US.
There are others like Ohlins that cost as much as the bike is worth. Koni which is now Ikons.
The Hagon Nitros look very good but expensive also the Hagon Custom Classics. There are Girling replicas.
The Nitron twin shocks look great but their twin shocks are made in Japan and I can not make heads or tails of their web site.
We also have Fourales, air shocks from France that look good ( on pg2 of the 880 subject). I can not figure their web site out either.
There are the Yss shocks and a slew of chinese/ indian copies on ebay motors for cheap.
I think I will spring for the Ikons unless I learn something else.
Also of interest is the reply that my damping seems normal for stock Norton shocks.
Thanks for the replies. ( Its Snowing Again)
Bruce MacGregor
 
I don't think the hagon nitros will fit. Also mr. quinn told mewhen I asked about them, "why would you spend that much money if they are not rebuildable?" :lol: So I went with the standard hagon
 
Has anyone tried NJB (Norman Blakemore, a long time Girling engineer) ? They are the closest I have seen to original Girling in appearance. I have a set but haven't used them, saving them for a more original restoration than I usually do on Commandos.

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~njb/classic.html
 
Triumph BSA Norton 12.9 Rear Shock Absorbers NEW
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sorry to dumb to post the photo .but these are koni ikon 7610 copies and are rebuildable ! ebay uk.
 
They are probably YSS shocks who did a Koni copy before Ikon, made in Thailand, not seen much feedback on quality but what I saw was good and bad with no middle ground.

I have NJB on the Victor but you need to specify the springs on ordering as they are oversprung as std, no difference in price but this service may not be available outside of the UK without a long lead time. Good shock once you have the right springs.
 
More shocking stuff!
I noticed that Ikon listed two shocks for Norton Commando.
The 76-1373 and the 7610-1653
I had a disscussion with Dave Gardner from Ikon U.S. about why? He Says>
The 76-1373 is the old style with out the 4 position adj. for rebound. At one time it was thought that bikes that vibrated a lot would cause the adj. rebound gizmo to fail. ( Like a P-11)
So they provided the Norton shocks with out the rebound gizmo. (Dial a ride)
This not true for the commando.
The best Ikon shock for the commando is the 7610-1653 with the 4 position rebound adj.(Dial a Ride) as vibration does not seem to be a problem with the isolated engine.
Both cost $330 US
 
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