KYB shocks on '80 special

highboy_coupe

highboy_coupe

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I've read a few threads where people mention having KYB shocks on the rear; where these standard equipment on specials? Are these the same shocks that people say "anything is better" than?
My shocks have silver KYB stickers on the bottoms, they are 12.5" long and (although I have nothing to compare them too) don't feel to bad.

I have my eye on some 330mm Hagons that are going cheap, but should even bother?

Thanks
 
I've been using stock shocks since the aftermarket ones on the bike when I got it started leaking. They seem fine to me. I'm not jumping school buses though. The stock shock had a reflector on top. If the reflector is broken, to make the shock look good you can break it the rest of the way off and turn the shock so that faces inside.
 
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Cool, thanks. They feel ok to me too! What I wanted to know is if KYB was the standard equipment on specials, and are these different (in quality and function) to the shocks on the non-specials or earlier bikes. I thought KYB where pretty decent, but I hear alot of people complaining about the stock shocks in general.
Not sure the Hagons are enough of an upgrade to bother with. I suppose the originals are still 40 year old shocks!!
 
I really feel (all stock shocks are junk) is one of those urban legend things. Sure some early jap shocks were little more than spring holders but I also have found the KYB (yes OEM on the specials) to be perfectly good shocks if they haven't leaked. I have taken the springs off a few and found the action to feel on par with new aftermarket units. So far that's about the only way I know of to see if they are working. Rust on the shaft is a pretty reliable indicator that a shock is or soon will be junk. Prolly a bigger issue is getting a spring suited to YOUR bike and rider weight, this has to be a compromise by the manufacturer, covering anywhere from a 115 pound solo rider to two 200 pounders. In fairness my regular riders have aftermarkets shocks and springs, maybe I drink the Kool-aid too.
 
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Thank you gggGary, exactly what I was looking for! As a slightly larger (6"+ and 220lbs) rider, I guess I'm looking for some aftermarket shocks on the firm side, I find the stocks quite bouncy.
The Hagons i am looking at are for a BMW R100 (all 10mm mounts) but apart from that all I know is that they are going cheap!
 
My problem with the Specials shocks is they are too short. Late model Bonneville shocks are a good replacement (with a little modding) and are about 13 1/2" eye to eye.
 
Thanks, I may get these 330mm Hagon ones, that's essentially 13", they are slimline and all black with black springs, if that's your thing.

P.s. I have no trouble getting it on the centre stand at the minute, I just stand on the peg and pull the grab rail... maybe that extra half inch will make it super easy!
 
Even with the longer shocks it was still a pain to get it on the center stand. What really helped is going with an 18" wheel. Almost like a Honda Interceptor now...
 

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