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Post by grizld1 on Jun 8, 2011 18:25:11 GMT -5
Hey Marty, make Robin help you with those sag measurements. If she's gonna ride, she has to earn her keep; tell her I said so.
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jun 8, 2011 18:38:35 GMT -5
I'll put her to work. She has a list for me, too!
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Post by grizld1 on Jun 8, 2011 18:58:50 GMT -5
Oh hell, the woman's armed with a honeydew list. Scrub that last advice--it's a Mexican standoff. Move slow and walk light, my man.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 12, 2011 21:47:20 GMT -5
I found another lead on EvilBay - a set of 13" Koni's...... Buy it now would cost me $210 (including S&H)..... about the same as the Progressives..... But they're original KONI's!
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Post by grizld1 on Jun 13, 2011 12:16:58 GMT -5
Norm, be very sure of what you're buying. Konis are fine shocks, but they have a couple of quirks. They're rebuildable, but seals don't tend to last long. Rods tend to be on the soft side and are prone to damage if the bike gets dropped. Also, springs with the used set may or may not be what you need. That price is quite a bit more than I'd be willing to spend for a used pair that I couldn't inspect hands-on. Finally, the length is a bit short of what you need to really wake up the steering.
If you buy them and find they need work, Ikon will have the parts you need.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 13, 2011 17:56:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice Griz - they are supposed to be for a BMW, but the ad doesn't say which model - just Beemers and "other big bikes". Apparently there's no evidence of leaks, but they need a little cleanup. Aren't the stock shocks 12.5"? Don't want to jack it up too high, or I won't be able to reach the ground! The start price for the auction is only $99 - so I'm sitting and waiting for a few more days to see what happens....... cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260800383514&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT What do you think? |
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Post by grizld1 on Jun 13, 2011 20:15:35 GMT -5
OEM length is 12-3/4" eye-to-eye. I recommend at least 13-1/4" on Standards and on Specials, at least 13-1/2", due to the lower angle at which the shocks are mounted.
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Post by tomterrific on Jun 15, 2011 14:52:16 GMT -5
BMW is 13 3/8" eye to eye IIRC.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 15, 2011 17:57:47 GMT -5
The ebay ad says that they are 13", so that should be in there. I expect they're probably stiffer than stock XS spring rates, so that may give a little extra height to them.
If I can get them for the $99 that the auction starts at (plus $45 S&H).... I should be a happy camper! Of course - that could depend on how long our Postal strike lasts.......
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Post by grizld1 on Jun 17, 2011 8:08:00 GMT -5
Norm, you need at least 25 mm. of laden static sag at minimum preload, and all a stiffer spring will do is to reduce the amount of preload required for a given sag setting--or, if stiff enough, eliminate sag entirely, which is not a good thing.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 17, 2011 17:55:52 GMT -5
Let's see - 460 lb bike, 240 lb rider - I should be able to get 1" of sag out of it.......LOL
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jul 3, 2011 2:20:27 GMT -5
Found some Red Wings for a Kawi KZ - (Ebay item 370388307360). Looks like the Kawi is similar size and weight - 13" shocks.... eyes at both ends..... I wonder if they'd work.....
Also some Hagons for a Bonny - (ebay 130537922038), but only 12.6" and for a lighter rider than me...... and more Hagons for Beemers & Beezers - but they're getting pricey.....(130540000451). Mind you - $199 new direct from Hagon is a decent price.....
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jul 24, 2011 3:04:47 GMT -5
Comparing prices for Progressive shocks and springs on ebay (MUCH cheaper than Progressive's website) - and I can get 12 series (gas shocks) and chrome springs for $250, 14 series (OEM type) with springs for $208, or the full chrome 412 series for $226......
Is there any real question which ones to get?
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Post by Chuckwagon on Jul 25, 2011 12:46:37 GMT -5
650 central sells them for about that price, I think... may give you more peice of mind in terms of return policy, plus he can probably guide you to the right choice of shock & spring.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Aug 31, 2011 22:41:44 GMT -5
Well - my new shocks came in yesterday - Progressive 412's.
Picked them up at the Post Office at 1:15, and they were installed on the bike by 2:30! Even came with the adjuster tool and a new sticker for my toolbox at work....
The instructions are pretty basic, and really just tell you to follow your maintenance manual. There's several sizes of adapter sleeves with them - just find the ones that work. The hardest part was having to unbolt my sissy bar from the fender to spread it enough to get the upper mount.
The lower eye is offset so you can set it to hug real close to the wheel or a little further away for clearance. I went for the clearance, just because the chain is pretty close, and if it stretches and slaps around, it may hit the shroud and mess up the nice chrome.
Now all I have to do is set the preload on them.....
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