Commando rear shocks

Hagons are a good honest shock for the price. The finish is not fantastic if you ride through salty winters and I find them, like the gas Girlings that they took over from, to be rather harsh and uncompliant. I preferred the original oil-damped Girlings which were quite adequate for normal street use on a Commando (They probably got a bit overheated on racing Z900s).

I don't think that you'll have any problems with Hagons but at one time Konis were not much dearer and I decided I preferred them.

wrench said:

Are there issues with Hagons?

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Not really, the Hagons are reasonable value for money in my opinion, and many riders I'm sure, find them quite adequate for normal road use. They only have three spring preloads which doesn't always allow the optimum preload setting to be selected, and there's no damping adjustment, but then a lot of shocks don't have that. The paint/chrome finish isn't all that wonderful when subjected to winter weather, but should be good enough for a few seasons of "summer" riding without the finish deteriorating too much.

Of course you could spend a lot more money on better shocks with better performance and more adjustment range etc., like Ikons?


And five of my bikes are fitted with Hagons, of which my two BMWs are on their second set, the first pair having done several years service on one, the other is a monoshock so that first shock didn't last as long, (about 4-5 years?) but that bike gets a lot of use. The sixth bike still has its original gas Girlings, otherwise that too would probably have a pair of Hagons on it.

(79x100 posted as I was typing if I appear to have repeated some of what he had already said)

Greetings from downunder...
It's our winter solstice today and a storm is here for a few days.

Winter programme is new 2.15x19 aluminium rim on the back and a new AM26 waiting.
Rear brake drum is having a hone and new locally developed 'better brake pads fitted'...I'll keep you informed!

I have just come in from the shed and my 850 mk1 is running Ikons.
They were on when I got the bike 6,000 miles ago.
They seem ok and we do alot of two up riding and set on the 3rd setting we don't bottom out doing 70mph down a hill into a road bump.

The part number off the Ikons are 7610-1282


Cheers Baldrick

79x100, Lab--

Nice to know. I bought the chrome slimline spring with stainless top shroud, not cheap, so it's nice to know that they'll at least do the job.

I have set of Koni's from the 70s I'm considering rebuilding for the Duc. Ikon in Australia apparently sells a rebuild kit for it.

Cheers--

wrench

I said I would update the Forum on these shocks:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123

They are made by Wassell. I had to replace my old Konis because of a burst seal. It feels like they have less compression damping than the Konis, which gives a more comfortable ride. The finish seems OK but how long it might last is another matter. If anyone else is interested, give the supplier time to check on fitment specifically for Commandos. I had to do some work to the 'eyes' before the shocks fitted to my satisfaction. However, he is very obliging and gave me a discount for my trouble and will check back with the manufacturer before offering them on his website again. I will be better able to assess their performance over the coming months, but for the moment, I'm happy with them.

Lucky me...my Konis are still fine, the adjustable ones that you have to take apart to get them adjusted. Worth the effort. Number same as the ones from Ikon have, 76-1373. Had to put a couple extra washers on the bottom bolts to clear the chainguard, if I remember correctly, but all else ok...and they are real nice to ride.

Bought the Konis to replace the pair of DOT shocks I had bought at a parts meeting...Veterama in Mannheim or Ludwigshaven. DOTs were too soft for me, but may please someone out there...still new in box if someone wants to give them a try for the postage. Can send for 3,90 in Germany, England must be more... :?: If interested...PM me.

Back to question:

I'd guess that the way to go would be Ikons then...if they are the same item as my Konis.

I had hagons on my 73 850 it rode down the road under its own steam,bucked kicked & wobbled when pushed hard in to corners. I fitted an old set of koni dial a rides softest spring #3 damping,now if I hit a corner to quick it just digs in harder. I have even started scraping away at my rear brake peddle. I would like to fit a good head steady but that could start getting scary.

splatt said:

I would like to fit a good head steady but that could start getting scary.

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Nope, it with just open another door, one might say the missing link

Cash