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Author Topic: R65 1981 Shockabsorbers  (Read 1063 times)

Offline NorR65

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R65 1981 Shockabsorbers
« on: August 20, 2011, 10:02:31 AM »
A while ago I bought a set Hagon shockabsorbers because the 30 years old original ones was really soft.
But I find the Hagons quite stiff. Do you know if Hagons are preset soft, middle or hard from the factory?

Offline Barry

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Re: R65 1981 Shockabsorbers
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2011, 10:26:36 AM »
Did you think it was the springs that were hard or the damping.

Can't do anything about the damping but it wouldn't cost much to change the springs.
Barry Cheshire, England 79 R45

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: R65 1981 Shockabsorbers
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2011, 10:45:17 AM »
Not familiar with Hagon shocks, but is there a spring preload adjustment on the shock ????
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline montmil

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Re: R65 1981 Shockabsorbers
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2011, 10:52:52 AM »
Quote
Not familiar with Hagon shocks, but is there a spring preload adjustment on the shock ????

The Hagons I purchased for my R65 have a 3-position adjustment ring to preload the springs.

My purchase was with Dave Quinn. http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/ He always asks for rider weight and typical bike load-out, then installs the correct spring weight. I roll with 100# springs. Stock Hagon springs are 110#.

This info references the Hagon Twin Shocks listed at the top of the display page.

Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline NorR65

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Re: R65 1981 Shockabsorbers
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2011, 11:34:02 AM »
Thanks for your help
I must have the standard 110 Hagon spring. I guess I have a 3 way spring preload adjustment. I did get a adjustment C-spanner with the shocks. I have tried to adjust preload, with no success. Maybe I have to use more force. The old BMW shocks was easy to adjust, may be because the springs was to soft.

Offline Barry

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Re: R65 1981 Shockabsorbers
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2011, 02:05:22 PM »
Quote
The old BMW shocks was easy to adjust, may be because the springs was to soft.  

I love those adjustment handles. I sometimes ride to work with a passenger then ride back without one and it's so easy to adjust the shock pre-load.

I've never seen a published figure for our original rear spring rates. I just measured mine and calculated the rate at 104 lb/in. Although the spring rate formula is precise it's very sensitive to measuring the spring accurately which is not so easy and I think I got 114 lb/in last time I did this.

Either way the originals seem to be in the same ball park as the Hagons.

Damping rates are something else though and we all know from experiments with fork oil weight that increased damping rates can make the same springs seem harsh. If your old shocks seemed soft it's probably because the dampers had gone rather than the springs. Even new original Boge units would seen stiffer by comparison.

I like the site Monte bought his shocks from. Even Hagons own site doesn't give anything like that level of information or choice.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2011, 02:10:15 PM by bhodgson »
Barry Cheshire, England 79 R45