Which shock absorbers?

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Find the Albions here ($350)
https://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/classic/

Also look at the ikon basix ($280)
https://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/product/ikon-basix-55/

Both are rebuildable and look like a good deal.

My issue is with compression damping. I want very little or no compression damping for my lightweight cafe featherbed because it makes the ride to harsh - it exaggerates the impact of every bump. I've tried it on the forks and I have it in the rear with Hagon's now and I'm looking for a smoother ride (bottoming is rare and not a problem). Commandos are heavier and the steeper angle of the shocks allows for heavier springs and compression damping - but too much compression damping gives you a hard tail on a lightweight featherbed.
 
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jseng1 said:
Find the Albions here ($350)
https://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/classic/

Also look at the ikon basix ($280)
https://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/product/ikon-basix-55/

Both are rebuildable and look like a good deal.

My issue is with compression damping. I don't want compression damping (or very little) for my lightweight cafe featherbed because it makes the ride to harsh - it exaggerates the impact of every bump. I've tried it on the forks and I have it in the rear with Hagon's now and I'm looking for a smoother ride (bottoming is not a problem). Commandos are heavier and the steep angle of the shocks allows for heavier springs and compression damping - but it sucks on a lightweight featherbed.
Click to expand...

As long as the shock is rebuildable, like the Koni, you can change the compression damping by changing the oil viscosity. So when I rebuild Commando Koni's I use 7.5 or 10 weight oil as I want more compression damping over the std 5 wt. Nothing to stop you going to 2.5 or 2 to decrease it but the rebound damping will also decrease, if the rebound is adjustable as it is on Koni 76 and 7610 then you just adjust it back up but if not adjustable then you need to consider if it's worthwhile overall. So Ikon 76 would not be adjustable on rebound and fit this category.
 
Hopefully there's a hole you can drill larger to decrease the comp damping.

Looks bone head simple.

Which shock absorbers?
 
I believe the damping is set by the 'Foot valve' in the bottom of the steel inner tube, a lot of holes to increase and shims too.
 
ludwig said:
+ 10 mm, but the top mount is also higher than STD to accomodate the previous NJB shocks.
The swing arm spindle is also raised 5 mm for more antisquat.
Which shock absorbers?
upload an image

(this is too far off topic, will delete soon ..)
Click to expand...

Good stuff, don’t delete, it goes to show that not everyone is content to bolt on some barely functioning Far Eastern lookalikes...
 
Fast Eddie said:
Good stuff, don’t delete, it goes to show that not everyone is content to bolt on some barely functioning Far Eastern lookalikes...
Click to expand...
Wilbers shocks are built to order, not off the shelf.
I had to twist their arm to supply me with softer springs than what they suggested ..
 
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Has anyone here fitted or have any feedback on Nitron shocks?
The Wilber's agent in Australia is suggesting them as equal to but cheaper than Wilbers.
 
I'd never heard of them and don't know anything about them.
A little Google Action, they are made in the UK. Interesting...
 
BTW - they say they got Nitron to make them with an extra long neck at the bottom to clear the chainguard. Made for some chap in Melbourne and have since sold two more - hopefully to someone here!
They have 24 damping settings and screw type adjusters for spring preload. Also have a length adjuster for ride height.
I’m interested.

(Edit) - they're gas/oil dampers without remote reservoir

Which shock absorbers?
 
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Nitrons have a good reputation in the car world. Didn't realise they did bike shocks. They do come with a 5 year warranty.
 
Response from Ikon on the supply of Albion units to the UK..


Hello Malcolm,

Albion series Ikons are an exclusive to us (IkonSuspnsionUSA.com) here in the USA. Under our agreement with
the Ikon Australian factory, we cannot supply Ikons outside of the USA Canada and South America.

No doubt there are several options open to you from the Ikon UK supplier and for what it's worth, the Ikons work exceptionally well on Commandos with correctly selected spring rates to suit your weight.

Cheers,
Roger


Which shock absorbers?
 
Nitron have a good rep in the modern bike world too. A mate just fitted one to his Duc and is very happy.
I didn’t know they catered for old bangers or I’d have checked them out myself.
 
robs ss said:
Has anyone here fitted or have any feedback on Nitron shocks?
The Wilber's agent in Australia is suggesting them as equal to but cheaper than Wilbers.
Click to expand...
I have a Nitron monoshock with a remote reservoir on my Ducati. Quite a bit better than the stock Showa. Preload, compression and rebound adjustments. The next model up has hi and lo speed compression adjustments.
 
Just be careful comparing Wilbers to Nitro for pricing, for seperate low and high speed compression damping ie a reduction in damping when you hit a pronounced bump, you need the Nitro R3 shock, R1 and R2 Nitro shocks do not have the dual rate compression damping Ludwig has on his Wilbers.
 
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Good point Kommando, I just checked out the Nitron web site, £550 for R1 and £915 for R3 shocks. They’re plus VAT prices btw.

that’s for off the shelf Triumph shocks, they don’t offer any Norton shocks off the shelf, so they may well be more expensive.

Even at £550, the R1 is more expensive than custom built Maxton T260 shocks...
 
They have Guzzi V7 R1 at £395 plus VAT, not sure why they are cheaper than the Triumph R1.

Off to the workshop to sort out how to change the compression damping on Koni's without changing the oil viscosity, looks like the 76 series has the option inbuilt but unused and need to see if the 7610 can be adapted to give same function.
 
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