The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: decorn33 on April 28, 2014, 12:19:44 PM
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Started out Sunday morning for a bike rally across the river in Pennsylvania. Heading down a narrow road off the beaten track and went over a speed bump. I heard a groan from the rear, almost like something was rubbing. Stopped and checked it out but couldn't find anything amiss. Later on that morning, after filling up with gas, I headed out again and when I dropped off the slight curb at the exit, I heard that groan again. At the rally, a friend and I worked the rear suspension up and down on the stand and were able to recreate the noise a little. I now believe that after only 30 years I may need new shocks!
Moto-bins has OEM Boge damper cylinders for 247 pounds. They also have complete Betor's (Better Than Nothing's) for 85 pounds and complete Ikons for more than triple at 270 pounds. Are Ikons really worth 270? that translates into $454.00 dollars which is a hefty sum on a modest budget. Does anyone have experience with other manufacturers? I suppose I could re-mortgage the house and get some Ohlins.
Can the OEM dampers be rebuilt at all?
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Both my R65s roll with Hagon shocks purchased through Dave Quinn Motorcycles in Bethany CT.
Hagons are British-made and Dave is one of the USA distributors. When you call him, he's the guy that answers the phone. Tell him what you ride, how you most often ride, ie: solo or w/pillion, and what you weight ready to ride. He will custom fit springs to the shocks that match both you and your bike. My receipt states $194.00/pair.
The Boge tagline is: Boge shocks installed at the factory were useful only to keep the rear fender off the tire while the bike was in the shipping crate.
http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/aboutus.html
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Hagon have a good reputation I had them on my K, when needed I will put a pair on the R65..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hagon-twin-motorcycle-replacement-road-shocks-to-fit-a-BMW-R65-650cc-1978-1985-/400696989207?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item5d4b66d617
They say they will post to USA.
At £150 a pair that puts them at about $250 + post
Lou
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Thank you guys. Time to fire up that credit card, again.
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I like the Koni/Ikons. However they are firm, which is not for all. They became popular as the Boges were useless for '2up with luggage' riding. Also some people, who want a firmer, sportier feel. Both my old R65 and my current R100 have them fitted. They are a quality product and you have to pay for that quality.
Rev Light.
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I'm about to replace my monoshock with a Progessive, on the advice of my race tuning mechanic (http://www.ororcycle.com), 460$ USD. Hard to argue with a guy that makes a living working with the race club circuit about suspensions.
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I put the Hagon's on my R65 when I had it and was very happy with them. I'm thinking about putting a new rear shock on the R1100, Wilbers seem to be favoured, but I might stick with a Hagon.
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I like the Konis and they work well for me, but as already mentioned, they're too stiff. They sport the same spring used on the longer R80/100 shocks that also support more weight (and are still too stiff), so installing a lighter weight spring is a must. I did and they work great!
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Where would you get lighter springs made for koni's as I have inherited a set of these on Steve's old bike which is somewhat lighter than a standard model so you can imagine how stiff they are. I was coming down a hill the other day and had to clench my teeth to stop them rattling! And no I was not cold :P
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I put Hagons on my Triumph Rocket Touring, transformed the bike, I got them through Dave Quinn, very happy, they set me up nice, I will probably go with them for the r65
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I like the Koni/Ikons. However they are firm, which is not for all. They became popular as the Boges were useless for '2up with luggage' riding. Also some people, who want a firmer, sportier feel. Both my old R65 and my current R100 have them fitted. They are a quality product and you have to pay for that quality.
And they stand behind their product, the 1980s Konis that were fitted to the R65 are off being refurbished as I type this.
I recently outsmarted myself beautifully, there were some shocks, complete with springs advertised on ebay as being for R65s. The shocks themselves look half OK and have a remote pressure chamber. In my enthusiasm and faced with an about to end auction I slapped on the minimum bid of $140 and then proceeded to win them.
Then I did the research.
They are actually well made - to a point - and will probably do the job if ever asked to, but with a little less than 2" of stroke I do not think I'll be going touring on them - ever.
Picture below as a warning to others. I would have been betor off with not much betor than nothings (and they would have been cheaper)
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Looks like a pair of bumble bees , may work with certain loud paint jobs ;D did they do the R65 in that shade of yellow.
Well warned off, thanks very much
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Both my R65s roll with Hagon shocks purchased through Dave Quinn Motorcycles in Bethany CT.
Hagons are British-made and Dave is one of the USA distributors.
http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/aboutus.html
I think I'll order a pair from him for my Triumph. I have a nice pair on it, can't remember the name, but the lower part is fatter than my original shocks and my rear brake rod rubs on it. The Konis I took off my R65 would probably fit it as they are thinner and about the same length, but I would want to rebuild them and find lighter springs. I think the Hagons are probably better. My riding buddy has a pair (shrouded) on his old toaster tank R75/5.
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New Hagons arrived yesterday. Dave Quinn was very helpful. Thanks for the reference. Now to get them mounted. No more honking over bumps.
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New Hagons arrived yesterday. Dave Quinn was very helpful. Thanks for the reference. Now to get them mounted. No more honking over bumps.
Which kind did you get? The only ones that will (sort of) fit my Triumph are the skinny ones. But they will fit better than the ones I've had on it for a long time.
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Ed, Dave offered me two types of spring. I opted for the straight version. The profile of the new shocks is narrower than the originals that are coming off the bike.
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Picked up a little something from my parts guy yesterday, just wanted to show off..
[img=400x300]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14192288764_8500541e1d_s.jpg[/img] (https://flic.kr/p/nC8bZS)
Naturally the spacers they included don't fit, so now I'm waiting again..
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What make are these new to you shocks?
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What make are these new to you shocks?
You talking to me, pal?
The shiny new one is the Progressive targeted at the monoshock R65 and R80, the grubby old one is the OEM R65 monoshock. Taking the bike in for a 'hat discussion tomorrow.
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Last Saturday I had the pleasure of a ride up to northwestern NJ to the home of a fellow Airhead, Dave Cushing, who was hosting a BMW tech day at his garage. My new Hagon shocks were securely strapped to the carrier on the back. I arrived at about 11:00 and after my initial meet and greet to the other fellows who had ridden in, I wheeled the bike into the garage and set it on the rear stand. I got out my tool roll with the intention of seeing if I could complete the task using the tools I carry with me regularly.
I changed them out one at a time, starting on the left. I loosened the mufflers and was able to get the old shocks out relatively easily. I found that I had to pry open the top and bottom cavities where the bolts went through to get the connection points on the shocks to line up with the holes. All in all it took about an hour. I needed to borrow a rubber mallet to persuade a bit, and a longer wrench to get more leverage on the bolts, and I didn't have to take off the seat.
The ride home was vastly different than the ride up. You get so used to the feel of the old equipment, and when new parts go on, particularly those that affect the ride, it's like woah, that's great! Why did I wait so long?
Anyway, its done, and I like them. Thanks again for the referral. Time to pile on the miles.
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You were in good hands with Dave Cushing.
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Those look like the ones I put on my Triumph Sunday. I hope I like them as much as you do.