Author Topic: Rough Cornering, Rear Suspension? (Read 3518 times)

chris-bartlett · **on:** May 20, 2009, 02:31:54 pm

Recently I noticed that when I go over bumps my rear wheel pitches out to the left. Cornering that used to be smooth has become very bumpy (think dribbling a basketball) and on a straightaway, the overall ride back there is very floaty. My tire pressure is fine, and I only have about 6k miles on my bike. My rear springs are set for a light rider (lowest preload setting) Do I need to replace the rear springs already, or is it something else?
Thanks.

ace.cafe · **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2009, 02:35:32 pm

You need new shock absorbers.
The springs are probably fine, but the shocks are no longer controlling it.

The Hagons from CMW are very good. You can get them with chrome or black springs, and with or without shrouds, and they even have fully-shrouded types for more money.
Hagon is the company that bought Girling. Girling shocks were what all the hot Brit-bikes used back in the 50s and 60s.

chris-bartlett · **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2009, 05:16:59 pm

Knew I could count on you Ace! Is this common for shocks to go out every 6k miles?

Also, if I get the Hagon shocks, are the springs interchangeable? I want to shorten them a little for a lower ride and still want the option to keep the Hagon springs if I decide to go back.

Jon · **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:06:49 pm

Before you splash out on new shocks it might be worth checking the back end of the
bike to make sure that everything is bolted up tight,that the spokes are in tension,
the wheel bearings ok and the swinging arm spindle etc is within tolerance, even
that there isn't a broken weld anywhere. You could also try swoping the shocks
over and see if the problem changes sides or if you know another Bullet owner
close by borrow his/her shocks for a day.

ace.cafe · **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:24:12 pm

Quote from: chris-bartlett on May 20, 2009, 05:16:59 pm

Knew I could count on you Ace! Is this common for shocks to go out every 6k miles?

Also, if I get the Hagon shocks, are the springs interchangeable? I want to shorten them a little for a lower ride and still want the option to keep the Hagon springs if I decide to go back.

Chris,
I don't know if they springs are interchangeable.
You could call the US Hagon importer, and see if he could pair up a set of shocks and springs to your particular desires for height and load. They will do that.

REpozer · **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2009, 08:01:55 pm

I wonder if you save some $$ and mount some Bullet -65 shocks , they are supposed to be an improvement. Just thinking out load I haven't followed up on this.

PhilJ · **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2009, 02:45:42 am

Make absolutely sure your shocks are set the same. Looking at them can be confusing as the rotate differently. On mine I found that one was set one notch off from the other. I lowered them both all the way and raised them in equal steps until I got the results desired.
Just a thought before you go off and buy what you may not need.

chris-bartlett · **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:53:28 pm

Thanks for the ideas. Is it common for shocks to go out every 6000 miles? These are the stock units.

ace.cafe · **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2009, 03:07:56 pm

Quote from: chris-bartlett on June 01, 2009, 02:53:28 pm

Thanks for the ideas. Is it common for shocks to go out every 6000 miles? These are the stock units.

It wouldn't surprise me to see them need replacing at 6k miles.
Mine only have about 4500 miles on them, and they are getting pretty ragged. But, they are 9 years old.

Aftermarket quality shocks should last longer.
Basically, you have a pair of fairly minimal quality stock shocks that were never great, and were hoped to last a decent amount of time if you are lucky, and ride slowly.
You'd be far better served with a set of Hagons.

Chasfield · **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2009, 04:56:24 pm

What about tyre wear? If the central portion wears down it will give the tyre a squarer profile and make it more edgy and squirmy as the bike is leaned over.

UncleErnie · **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:49:04 pm

I'm saving up for Hagons.
In the meantime, one thing that halped is a firmer setting.

REpozer · **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2009, 06:24:29 pm

Hmmm, nobody likes the idea of Bullet 65 shocks for less then half the money of Hagon?
Or shoot, if the terrible stock shocks lasted 6000 miles why not buy another set of those and save $$$$ even more?
An Indian web sit was selling a pair of stock shocks for $45 .At that price you change your shocks every other oil change.

ace.cafe · **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2009, 07:52:32 pm

Quote from: REpozer on June 01, 2009, 06:24:29 pm

Hmmm, nobody likes the idea of Bullet 65 shocks for less then half the money of Hagon?
Or shoot, if the terrible stock shocks lasted 6000 miles why not buy another set of those and save $$$$ even more?
An Indian web sit was selling a pair of stock shocks for $45 .At that price you change your shocks every other oil change.

Well, that might suffice for a person who is not concerned with improved suspension, but just wants to retain the stock performance levels and longevity.
Nothing wrong with that.
If it fits your riding needs, and you don't mind changing the shocks more often, that would work fine.
As for the "Indian websites", buyer beware.
Ask Rick Sperko about his brake shoes that he got from India.

Rick Sperko · **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2009, 08:49:52 pm

Quote from: ace.cafe on June 01, 2009, 07:52:32 pm

Well, that might suffice for a person who is not concerned with improved suspension, but just wants to retain the stock performance levels and longevity.
Nothing wrong with that.
If it fits your riding needs, and you don't mind changing the shocks more often, that would work fine.
As for the "Indian websites", buyer beware.
Ask Rick Sperko about his brake shoes that he got from India.

And my primary chain direct from India. I am still riding on those brake pads, but they are going down fast. Primary chain is in the garbage.

-Rick

REpozer · **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2009, 10:17:26 pm

Quote from: ace.cafe on June 01, 2009, 07:52:32 pm

Well, that might suffice for a person who is not concerned with improved suspension, but just wants to retain the stock performance levels and longevity.
Nothing wrong with that.
If it fits your riding needs, and you don't mind changing the shocks more often, that would work fine.
As for the "Indian websites", buyer beware.
Ask Rick Sperko about his brake shoes that he got from India.

You bet ,Ace, Rick
The Bullet 65 shocks may not be the look you want, I believe they sell for $140ish. The Hagons, love'm, $300 or so.
I,vie never delt directly with India.
It's all about having fun and staying on budget, other wise we all would ride a Brough Superior if money were no object.

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2009, 01:50:56 am

The Bullet Sixty-5 shocks are very good!!!

mrunderhill1975a · **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2009, 02:25:59 am

What is the recommended method to test the condition of the stock shock?

jest2dogs · **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:28:59 am

We used to check car shocks by getting the car bouncing then letting go. Iif it didn't stop bouncing in 1 cycle the shocks were gone. You'd have to have someone holding the front wheel steady.

-Jesse

Geirskogul · **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2009, 05:53:06 am

Are bikes really heavy enough to "bounce?" I can understand my 20 year old car bouncing because of bad shocks or struts, but a bike just kicks back once, especially a 350lb bike.

Now, maybe a goldwing...

REpozer · **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:34:25 am

Geirsk,
You will feel yourself "bottoming out" over bumps more often. Uhh,while riding.