The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Mr_Smart on August 19, 2010, 03:50:11 PM
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Has anybody had experience with the Boge rear shocks on the 79/80 Twn Shocker R65`s ?
I want to check if my 83,000 mile originals might be a little tired,but I`m not so sure I can strip the unit out....even getting the spring off would be a start.... 8-)
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The OEM Boge shocks are not rebuildable. Even the spring is secured "in place". Some BMW-type wags suggest the Boge boingers were used as tempoary braces -meant only to keep the rear fender off the tire while in the shipping crate. Bob's BMW sells knockoff Boge repops.
[smiley=lolk.gif]
Truly, Mr Smart, they are unpopular suspension components. I just fitted a pair of English-built Hagons on my 1981 R65. Unbeatable performance and quality at an affordable price. My Hagons are not rebuilable either, but the springs can be changed out. It'll take me years to wear 'em out.
You may source them locally. In the USA, it's http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/
Monte
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If you can manage to find any IKON shock absorbers (they rose, like a phoenix, from the ashes of the old KONI company) you will have some good, rebuildable shocks. The HAGONs like Monte said are also goo and a step above the original shocks. I've got Progressives on my bike - they aren't rebuildable, but work pretty well and are not expensive.
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I have been using Ikon 7610 for the last three years and I like it very much.
I did my first rebuild after three years and 20k miles, oil had seeped out of seals slowly, it was a good exercise!
The stock springs seems to be a little hard for solo riding
with no luggage for my 170lb. On hard rides sometimes my rear will bounce off the pavement irregularities.
I know they offer different spring rates, perhaps they can be ordered based on your needs.
With full camping gear and saddle bags it feels more planted and obedient.
I think they also have a newer unit where you can compress the spring via a big nut, giving you more tuning than the regular four positions.
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I've put hagon road shocks on mine,along with hagon progressive fork springs...totally transformed the handling. ;)
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that reminds me, I bought a set of hagons two years ago and to my shame never got round to fiting them. If the weather clears this weekend and I get my ass in gear and can find where I left them....
Mr Smart, where are you based in Dublin? I'm up the road in Drogheda.
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The poor quality of boge units has probably been exaggerated just a little. While not in the league of Ikons as far as I can tell period road testers didn't complain too much about them when they were new and they are very superior in one respect and that's the adjustment handles which I use on a regular basis. I have a very low mileage set of boge units and they seem fine. At 83,000 miles I would think yours may be way past their best. Shame they are not rebuildable.
I'll go for Hagon's when the time comes.
For the purposes of selecting new springs it would be useful to know the original boge rear spring rates. I calculated them to be 114.7 lb/ft which is subject to some error as I had to estimate the paint thickness. The actual rate may be a little lower but is not likely to be higher. I've never seen a published figure.
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I bought some Hagan's a couple of years ago and I'm not impressed. Last year they started squeaking. I think the spring was rubbing on the upper shroud. I contacted the US distributor to see if they could recommend anything. Their recommendation...."Put some oil in the shroud".
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I bought some Hagan's a couple of years ago and I'm not impressed. Last year they started squeaking. I think the spring was rubbing on the upper shroud. I contacted the US distributor to see if they could recommend anything. Their recommendation...."Put some oil in the shroud".
As the Hagons permit spring changes, might you simply remove the offending squeakers? Do you have the larger o.d. springs or the slim ones? I ordered my Hagons with the slimline springs and no shrouds. Beautiful.
The really nice component of buying from Dave Quinn is all the questions he asks you about your body weight, any luggage and is it hard or soft side, bike weight, style of riding and road preferences, etc. He will chat you up until he feels confident in the spring rate he fits to your specific needs. For me, Dave fitted 100 pound progressive springs.
BTW, Dave Quinn is not the US distributor for Hagons. He is a small business dedicated to good service to his customers. He also sells progressive wound front fork springs.
http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/
Monte
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that reminds me, I bought a set of hagons two years ago and to my shame never got round to fiting them. If the weather clears this weekend and I get my ass in gear and can find where I left them....
That sounds so much like me. Sometimes I even forget that I bought something, until I do it again.
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that reminds me, I bought a set of hagons two years ago and to my shame never got round to fiting them. If the weather clears this weekend and I get my ass in gear and can find where I left them....
That sounds so much like me. Sometimes I even forget that I bought something, until I do it again.
I have duplicates of many tools...
Monte
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Coming here some few years ago as a recovering Britt Bike enthusiast I was appalled at what some of the other Airhead-centric sites were recommending for replacements. $400-$800 for what were considered "good" shocks. I immediately reverted to my previous mindset and had Dave Quinn set me up with a pair of his Hagons, as these were the cats @$$ on the old Triumphs. Fabulous but how to spread the word. I think it was Melina here who was looking to lower her R65 a bit. She contacted Dave and seemed to be happy. Today there seem to be a number of R65s using the Hagons and there is a WIDE range of models. Even rebuild-able units. I've not run spring shrouds but I can tell of squeeky noises I've experienced on another popular progressive shock that features this option. I've run Hagons before and would call Dave again as my first choice. YMMV,
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...I think it was Melina here who was looking to lower her R65 a bit. She contacted Dave and seemed to be happy...
Shorter shocks definitely help the inseam-challenged but there is a trade off; an increased degree of difficulty in lifting the bike onto the centerstand.
My 1981 R65 had the earlier design centerstand and was always a real bear to center up. I bought a revised design stand from a 1983 R65 and that improved the ease of parking... somewhat. I say somewhat because the recent switch to Hagon shocks revealed the removed Progressives were 12.25 inches vs the OEM 13.00 inch length rear shocks. It's now s-o-o much easier.
Varying rear shock length will also change the steering and handling characteristics of a motorcycle.
Monte
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Monte, I'm not sure but I think they are the slimline. The shrouds are the half shrouds. I don't know why but the squeaks eventually disappeared...I didn't oil the shrouds.
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I think any brand of modern shocks, will be better than 25-30 year old BOGE shocks .
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Monte, I'm not sure but I think they are the slimline. The shrouds are the half shrouds. I don't know why but the squeaks eventually disappeared...I didn't oil the shrouds.
Guess you've been living right these last few days. ;)
If the squeaks return, rather than oily oil, perhaps a quick rattle can squirt of silicone spray. I use this stuff for a variety of needs as it does not attract, capture nor hold dust and dirt.
Monte
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Good idea Monte. I'll keep that in mind.
As for the last few days....Prepping the house for exterior paint and replacing and balancing the front tire on the Wing...Ugly Betty (the R65 is getting very lonely with wires dangling off her and no wheels on her and a few other parts that need to be put on.