Which shock absorbers?

Flatspot · Apr 20, 2020

I have a 74 850 mk2a that I am recommissioning. Although it is a very low genuine mileage of just 10,000 miles it has needed quite a lot of fettling to get it to a sensible state. I was hoping just to give it an oily rag restoration as it’s spent all its life in a dry garage, but 46 years have still taken their toll in places.

now we’re in lockdown my hands can’t stay idle and it’s getting rather more attention and I’m trying to sort out some more pressing areas that won’t just polish out.

So, now it’s shock absorbers. I’ve removed them and taken off the springs, the dampers don’t, they’re knackered. So it’s time for a nice new shiny pair. Which ones? All of these are available now on eBay.

£69.95 pair Classic Bike. (Maybe these are Wassells?)

£147 Pair Hagon

£189 pair Ikon

I’m torn for choice, I doubt I will ever notice any difference whatever is fitted, what is the thinking man’s choice?

kommando · Apr 20, 2020

Have a look at NJB's, based on the original Girlings but updated by an ex Girling employee.

http://www.njbshocks.co.uk/

He will give you the springs you want, I went for a lighter spring rate but using dual springs for a progressive rate.

freefly103 · Apr 20, 2020

Falcon shocks worth having a look at. Have them on mine, like em. If you go this path, make sure you get the version that doesn't interfere with the chain guard.

https://www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk/index2.html

Onder · Apr 20, 2020

I have NJB with softer springs. They are fine for cruising but if the road gets bumpy or I get frisky they arent up to the job. They need more damping which they simply dont have. So factor in you riding style before you decide. Have Hagons on two other brit bikes. Springs way too stiff.
Swoosh went with non adjustable Ikons and he says he was happy. Go look at that thread. I've had adjustable Ikons on my Trident for years and have no complaints but the cost now for a Norton specific set is insane. Falcon and Maxon are about the same so depends on how much you have saved in the last month of not driving your automobile.

EstuaryBoy · Apr 20, 2020

I went NJB for my Mk3 as the guy is only just up the road from me. Didn't want to be a mobile advert for Hagon (is it a warranty issue if you pull that tape off?) and some don't offer black with chrome springs. Only issue was the bottom fitting on the Mk3 is a bit wider (I think) and I had to shim the lower mounting 'rubber' as the material used was very compliant and displaced quite noticeably in use....

Fullauto · Apr 20, 2020

Basic Ikons. Relatively cheap, comfortable and cheaply reconditioned where necessary. Mine have done 60,000 miles with no issues.

Bernhard · Apr 20, 2020

Onder said:
I have NJB with softer springs. They are fine for cruising but if the road gets bumpy or I get frisky they arent up to the job. They need more damping which they simply dont have. So factor in you riding style before you decide. Have Hagons on two other brit bikes. Springs way too stiff.
Swoosh went with non adjustable Ikons and he says he was happy. Go look at that thread. I've had adjustable Ikons on my Trident for years and have no complaints but the cost now for a Norton specific set is insane. Falcon and Maxon are about the same so depends on how much you have saved in the last month of not driving your automobile.

Like Girling beforehand, Hagons do a full range of spring poundage. Just sold another pair of high pounds springs for old Girling which I had from an old box.

nortriubuell · Apr 20, 2020

I just replaced my Hagon shocks with Andover Norton ones. The Andover Norton ones are WAY BETTER IMO.

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/sho...suspension-units-exposed-spring-pair-06-6489-

Mike Sullivan · Apr 20, 2020

I've a pair of IKON 7610–1653 Dial a Rides fitted to my Mk III, put them on 6 years ago & they've covered 22k miles without issue.

I wanted something better than OEM & something that could be rebuilt (& I decided that I couldn't justify Maxton).

Craig · Apr 20, 2020

I used the black spring Hagons , I realize they not the best performers , but the price was right , they are much better than the originals they replaced , and for my style of Sunday morning rides they have not negatively affected my enjoyment .... nope I don’t like the advertising tape much either , but you can’t always get what you want, eh

lazyeye6 · Apr 20, 2020

I've had Hagons (yep, I pulled the tape off). I replaced them with the basic Ikon and immediately noticed a better ride.
I'm old and ride the back roads recreationally. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you buy budget you
will never notice what it could have been.

o0norton0o · Apr 20, 2020

I have old koni's which have a progressive spring, and adjustable damping. They were never specified for commandos but they work. I don't think they are high performance because the progressive spring is probably made for comfort, not high performance. The adjustable damping is a performance feature, but I haven't changed the setting in 30 years. They seem to work better than the originals.

cliffa · Apr 20, 2020

lazyeye6 said:
I've had Hagons (yep, I pulled the tape off).

Me too, It was one of the first things I did when I got my bike. I hate that crappy looking tape. It wasn't easy to remove though.

Onder · Apr 20, 2020

Are the Hagon springs marked in some way so I can tell what I have?

chris plant · Apr 20, 2020

Landspeedracer said:
I have a 74 850 mk2a that I am recommissioning. Although it is a very low genuine mileage of just 10,000 miles it has needed quite a lot of fettling to get it to a sensible state. I was hoping just to give it an oily rag restoration as it’s spent all its life in a dry garage, but 46 years have still taken their toll in places.

now we’re in lockdown my hands can’t stay idle and it’s getting rather more attention and I’m trying to sort out some more pressing areas that won’t just polish out.

So, now it’s shock absorbers. I’ve removed them and taken off the springs, the dampers don’t, they’re knackered. So it’s time for a nice new shiny pair. Which ones? All of these are available now on eBay.

£69.95 pair Classic Bike. (Maybe these are Wassells?)

£147 Pair Hagon

£189 pair Ikon

I’m torn for choice, I doubt I will ever notice any difference whatever is fitted, what is the thinking man’s choice?

njb

joe czech · Apr 20, 2020

nortriubuell said:
I just replaced my Hagon shocks with Andover Norton ones. The Andover Norton ones are WAY BETTER IMO.

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/sho...suspension-units-exposed-spring-pair-06-6489-

just ordered up a set from old britts. http://www.oldbritts.com/13_062179.html

swooshdave · Apr 20, 2020

It really depends on what you want, if you want something that looks original then go with something like the Andover, NJB or like.

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/sho...suspension-units-exposed-spring-pair-06-6489-

For most people, including myself, you may not know or care about the difference compared to the high priced performance shocks.

As I found out putting new shocks on the back may exacerbate the issues with the front so budget in a front rebuild too.

Bernhard · Apr 20, 2020

Onder said:
Are the Hagon springs marked in some way so I can tell what I have?

The Girling were colour coded with three dashs of paint, cannot say if Hagons are, but they will supply springs for your bike,just one thing, I've noticed that the new Hagons are not the same and the new springs will not fit the old shocks and vice versa.

acotrel · Apr 20, 2020

If I had a concours Commando, I would want shockers which looked as original as possible, otherwise I would buy Ikons which are what Konis were. Top end Japanese or German are always better.

swooshdave · Apr 20, 2020

acotrel said:
If I had a concours Commando, I would want shockers which looked as original as possible, otherwise I would buy Ikons which are what Konis were. Top end Japanese or German are always better.

Or in the case of the Konis, er Ikons, Australian.

Which shock absorbers?

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