I once put an Avon 90/90-19 on the front of my Special. It was noticeably quicker, as I recall. I just don't want to be low enough to drag bottom and crash. (BTDT) Crashing is bad.
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Rear Shocks Upgrade Opinions?
- Thread starter Bratster
- Start date
My current setup isn't as trick as Gary's, but it serves. 2.15/18 rims front and rear, Bridgestone BT45 tires, 100/80/18 front, 110/90/18 rear. Forks raised 1/2" in the clamps. My rear shocks are 13-1/4" custom valved alloy body gas damped units from Works Performance, around $500 for the pair 18 years ago, no idea what they'd run now. Ohlins makes a fine product, had an Ohlins monoshock on the back of my SV650 Suzuki and it was superb. A pair of their shocks will cost 4 figures or close to it.
Grizld,
I doubt my Ohlins are that expensive. They are emulsion type, with no external damping adjustment. But they do have a wide range of preload settings (3 step cam/ ramp, plus snap ring grooves for the base line.) There is 3 different spring rates available as well.
I doubt my Ohlins are that expensive. They are emulsion type, with no external damping adjustment. But they do have a wide range of preload settings (3 step cam/ ramp, plus snap ring grooves for the base line.) There is 3 different spring rates available as well.
I like YSS shocks quality and performance wise I put them above Hagon and below Ohlins and feel they are good value for money.
I cant say I have had a good experiance with the NZ agent though there was a small problem with one of my orders and he didnt want to know about it. I will not buy from him again.
I cant say I have had a good experiance with the NZ agent though there was a small problem with one of my orders and he didnt want to know about it. I will not buy from him again.
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Here is a pic of $100 2018 Triumph take offs.
There is a set on Ebay for $70 now.
See how the lower eye bushings were modified utilizing Yamaha lower bushings?
A very cheap and easy alternative for "Specials" little more difficult if your Standard frame has a grab loop.
Not the best option for everybody but I found it a cheap and fun upgrade.
-Rĺ
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Here is a pic of my Øhlins shocks. Note the snap ring grooves above the adjuster collar. Pretty much adjustable from zero preload to whatever you want.
I fitted YSS shocks on my 1978 SE. I'm pleased with them, not too expensive and a huge improvement over the 42 year-old originals. Would probably prefer slightly stiffer springs, but I haven't even started to play with the pre-load adjusters yet so too early to say. Bearing in mind some of the comments above about the comfort/handling trade off, must be worth thinking about these?
I haven't experienced it, but the air cooled Bonnevilles have a reputation for poor suspension. Comments? At any rate, that certainly is a bargain for any shock that will keep the tire in contact with the road.
From what I've read the newer Triumphs are sprung too soft perhaps. XS650's are lighter. I tend to believe Triumph riders have deeper pockets than most XS650 riders. They upgrade to Hagons and such.
Your clarification was needed. Your take-offs were from a late model liquid cooled Triumph. So, they're pretty much new, or little used. I'd be willing to try that too. Who made the OE Triumph shocks?
I just found this. Some of you may find it of some interest.
SUSPENSION UPGRADES, WHY BOTHER?
SUSPENSION UPGRADES, WHY BOTHER?
I suspect YSS. Triumphs are made in Thailand, YSS is in Thailand. Maybe they set up to make Triumph's suspension?
My XS650SK was equipped with Progressive Suspension Series 12 shock absorbers. They were XS1100 take-offs, so there is some interference with the chain guard that had to be addressed. At the 2018 Vintage Yamaha Rally, I broke the right shock. The weld broke where the damper rod connects to the eye at the top. That's another thing that will keep me from buying Progressive Suspension going forward. I believe the price point on those is in the $300 neighborhood.
RaceTech's Matt Wiley recommended YSS to me personally. This after I told him RaceTech shocks cost more than my bike is worth. Coming from him, I take that as a very strong recommendation.
I ran late model Bonneville stocks on my Special for a while until I swapped them out for purely cosmetic reasons 
I was satisfied with them.
I was satisfied with them.
Hagon .... X cell lint ...... I got a set of shocks from... you know who .... for my Xs1 project.. basically J.U.N.K. stiffed with marshmallows ... I have a pair of Hagon's on my Triton.... a bit of sticker shock... $$$.. but they work... when I did my Xs1... Hagon had a shielded pair.... painted them candy green... with the wifey and me.. they perform excellently ... no po go..no bottom out...
For the cheapest option:
I have this Progressive Suspension shock tool. It works well for dismantling OEM KYB shocks (or Progressive of course). I have a bunch of them. By taking them apart I can test the dampers for function. I can then mix and match parts to come up with pretty bits, or paint and polish as required. It's at least a good short term solution. That tool is available from many sources.
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