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Post by Chuckwagon on Apr 13, 2011 5:36:20 GMT -5
Dillema solved. I went with a set of progressive 14 series shocks with 70/100 weight 13" springs. Light weight, I know, but my wife isn't chunky and I need a soft ride for the aching back.
After few problems with the "walmart" of XS parts and poor response, I switched suppliers and gave 650 Central a call. What a difference... those people actually care that you are satisfied. I was on the phone with them 3 times to make sure I got what I needed (they called me back twice to answer questions and get things right... I ordered a lot of parts). They even cross referenced their own bikes to check parts. I will definitely be sending my business there if/when I need more parts. Yes, calling in an order is old school and a little cumbersome, but saves a lot of frustration vs. sending e-mails that get answered weeks later.
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Post by tomterrific on Apr 13, 2011 8:40:33 GMT -5
Michael Morse is the owner of 650 Central and Vintage Brake. He's the only employee as far as I know. Michael is super knowledgeable about everything motorcycle. Even some of mikesxs parts can be traced back to advice Michael gave to the XS community.
Sorry for the non tech post but I think highly of the man.
Tom Graham
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Post by 10ecjed on Apr 19, 2011 11:06:02 GMT -5
Old school is good school.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 7, 2011 20:11:08 GMT -5
Chuck - how do you like the Progressives? I've been looking at those myself, but prefer the 12 series (gas charged, but similar to the 14's otherwise).
Did you get the springs with them? Or did you have to buy them separately? Or do they fit our original springs?
The 412's are basically the 12 series shock and spring together with a cover, and you can get them in chrome, too, so that's my preference if I need to buy springs separately for them. (of course the price goes up by $100, too, but still cheaper than buying separate springs)
I have seen some from Forza (from Taiwan) on evilBay.... Has anyone tried them? Of course at $70/pr - the "you get what you pay for" REALLY rings the big bell.......
OK - yeah, I got a lot of questions, but I'd prefer not to dish out a bunch of $$ and not get what I need.... Obviously the "monza" shocks aren't worth the powder needed to blow them to h*ll..........
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Post by preston on Jun 7, 2011 20:24:59 GMT -5
There is a guy, i think in Richmond VA, that make lamps, from old XS Monza shocks.
Mine are on the shop floor,
Preston
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Post by grizld1 on Jun 7, 2011 21:07:34 GMT -5
Right, Norm; you can't get something for nothing, but if you buy cheap enough, it's easy to get nothing for something! Series 12 gassers are fine shocks, very durable. Just this season I took a pair down from the wall that I'd bought in 1992 and stored in 1998, and mounted them on a D that I've refurbished for sale. The shocks perform like new. The 12's are a little on the fat side; you have to cut the chain guard a bit for clearance. 14's are a bolt-on fit.
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Post by Chuckwagon on Jun 7, 2011 22:43:03 GMT -5
the 412s I got with springs aren't bad. not the best I've ever had, though, but never had anything else but the stock shocks on this particular bike. I went with the 70/100 springs... I like a cushy ride for my spine, and eventually my wife is supposed to be riding this bike when I get it all sorted out. I had to "customize" my chainguard with a mallet to get things to fit together, but the chainguard may have been tweaked to begin with, as was everything else on my bike.
Anyway, they work fine. In combination with "charlie chan cartidge emulator-immitators" and new head & swingarm bearings, I can corner till stuff starts scratching and it is pretty stable at speed, handles mid corner bumps OK.
If I didn't need a chainguard (needed to pass inspection to get a title) I might have tried a set of redwing hammerheads. Seems there were only goofy spring rates left/available because they are NOS.
Screw it. Go with a set of Ohlins. You only live once.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 7, 2011 23:46:00 GMT -5
Griz - I don't mind a little fat - I think it would add a little to the bike if it's not overdone, anyway... And I don't have a chainguard to worry about. Besides, it will match my new fat tank ..... not to mention the owner/rider.... LOL. I'm no longer a lightweight, and occasionally do right 2-up (or with a load of camping gear), I may go with the HD springs with them... but anything would be better than the totally shot shocks I have - no action at all left in them, and I don't want something that is just as bad as what I already have. Looks like Progressive 412's it is...... Sometime around next payday....... Although I DID see some old Koni's on evilBay today that might work, too....... cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270753335454&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AITUnfortunately, the bottom bracket is wrong...... |
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jun 8, 2011 8:21:00 GMT -5
I have Progressive Suspension shocks on two of my bikes. I'm not too fond of them. I think the ones on my 650 are series 12. To get the proper sag, my spring rate is 105/150. If I run over a dime, I can tell if it's heads or tails. It feels like a hardtail. They work effectively. The rear tire seems to stay in contact with the road well enough. Softer springs and the back end turns to mush. No good! Bottom line is I'm no fan of progressive wound springs. They may be fine on a cruiser, but not on anything you want to handle. I learned something a little too late. Call www.traxxion.com. That's Traxxion Dynamics in Woodstock, GA. Call them on the telephone and tell them you want some decent shocks for an old, cheap motorcycle that you ride. They will hook you up with exactly what you need, without breaking the bank. The spring rate will be correct and they will guarantee it. They just made front springs for me and I'm quite happy. |
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jun 8, 2011 8:31:35 GMT -5
Ditto on 650 Central. I have always hesitated to call them because it's on the wrong coast. I just bought series 412 Progressive Suspension Heavy Duty shocks for my XS1100. I bought them from one of the internet vendors with guidance from Progressive. They were mush. I weigh only 230 lbs. I could not ride the bike 2 up. Mr. Morse got me the springs in just a couple of days! I had them before I got the bill. I could not find 140/200 rate springs anywhere. Michael got them for me, and quick. For the record, Michael has help at 650 Central. I worked with someone else at his number. Michael called me for follow-up.
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jun 8, 2011 8:52:04 GMT -5
ShakerNorm, I weigh 230 lbs. Progressive Suspension HD spring rate is not enough. It leaves too much sag. 2 up will put my headlight in the trees. 105/170 is my rate. They are buckboard hard when I hit a bump. See what you can get from www.traxxion.com before you buy. You'll find nothing of any use to you on their website other than the phone number. I recommend them. They'll want to know the bike, your weight, and probably, the weight of your passenger. |
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Post by grizld1 on Jun 8, 2011 10:47:06 GMT -5
Agreed, Marty; Traxxion's a knowledgeable, ethical, customer-oriented outfit. They stand behind their recommendations, and if they get it wrong, they fix it free.
I have to say that my opinion of Progressive shocks (I've used both 12's and 14's over the years on a Suzuki GT380, Yam XS360, and two XS650's) is considerably higher than yours. 25 mm. laden sag is a minimum setting, best used for aggressive sport riding. Have you tried relieving preload for a setting of 30 or 35 mm.?
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jun 8, 2011 14:21:46 GMT -5
I could have made due with 120/170 springs, but it seems someone always wants to go for a ride. At that point no preload can fix it. I'm not sure what my sag is with the 140/200 rate springs. I haven't found a helper to get it measured, but I expect it's in the ball park.
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jun 8, 2011 14:41:05 GMT -5
I should probably add here that I'm talking about a XS1100, which is considerably heavier than the XS650. Otherwise, it's the same as working the 650.
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Post by Chuckwagon on Jun 8, 2011 15:12:54 GMT -5
1+ on 650 central. That's where I bought my progressives. I differed from his normal spring rate recommendation for a stock 650, but I'm not the typical situation. I used to prefer really stiff suspension on all my bikes, which is probably part of the reason I have 4 bad discs and now want as soft a ride as possible, and just deal with the wallowing suspension. in the end it makes cornering more exciting  As expected, the shocks have a lot of sag, and isn't good for 2-up riding. |
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