Shocks

[wxp]

Anyone know of a good place to purchase some rear shocks for a r65, 1980 model??

[Altritter]

This definitely is the right forum to ask that question! There's a lot of expertise here, both basic preferences and specialized topics such as lowering an R65 for smaller riders by installing shorter shocks. We spend a lot of time discussing shocks; in fact, I plan to put a question about shocks onto the Technical Forum today.

There are a lot of opinions about shocks, but all of the experienced R65 riders seem to agree on one subject—avoid OEM shocks marketed by BMW.

A number of our members like the British Hagon shocks, sold here in the US through www.davequinnmotorcycles.com. Hagons are especially popular among members wishing to lower their bikes. They're very helpful, to the point of extensively interviewing a customer in order to provide the best fid and ride; I talked with them yesterday on the phone. You'll read things here like "good performance and comfort at a reasonable price) (currently $218/pair for twin-shock models such as your 1980).

If you're familiar with Koni automotive shocks, the Koni design for motorcycles is still available under the Ikon name. (Koni sold its bike-shock rights to an Australian company.) I currently have Konis on my bike. I like their ride and handling a lot. You'll find Ikons to be pricier, though by no means the most expensive airhead shocks on the market.

Good luck with your search!

John

[montmil]

Also a popular BMW twin shock, 13-inch length

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/productline.html

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I installed Hagons on my R65 and couldn't believe the difference in handling.  They get my vote for best value for the money.  My R90/6 has Progressive shocks and it handles very well although just a little stiffer.  Probably set up for carrying luggage.  

Don't neglect taking care of your forks (phorqs?) too after you make the shock fix.  Some folks find all kinds of gunk and crud, especially if the oil hasn't been changed in a good while.

[Altritter]

While we're on the subject—What I just learned might help someone, and someone out there might be able to answer a question in my mind. I called Dave Quinn Motorcycles yesterday morning about Hagons.

The rep (I think it was Dave Quinn, though he didn't ID himself) told me what Montmil just posted—standard length for BMW twin shocks is !3" extended. DQ can help with nearly any variable except rear wheel-rear fender clearance. That, the buyer must find.

According to DQM, the 13" shock compresses to 10.0" (piston travel is 3.2"). Hagon makes  shocks with extended lengths of 12.6", 12.2", and 11.8", all with piston travel of 3.2". Thus, it's possible (fender clearance issues permitting) to mount an 11.8" shock on an R65, thereby lowering the rear of the bike slightly less than 1.25" If I can do that, I'm happy; I think lowering my bike 1.2" gives me more than enough additional inseam. (I want to avoid reducing piston travel if I can. Though possible, each additional length reduction below 11.8" requires an equal reduction of piston travel.)

Now come the hard questions: Lacking a helper and an inside caliper to measure wheel-fender clearance, I had to improvise. Using a yardstick and a try-square ruler and its level, I measured the bike's wheel & fender with bike on center stand no load on shocks, rear wheel on ground. From ground to top inside of fender is 31.5". From ground to top of tire (120/90x18") is 26.5". Thus, clearance with no load is 5". One additional measurement will permit indirect computation of clearance with rider (Ich) mounted: Distance from ground to bottom edge of fender @ apogee of the arc is 27".

With a helper, I''ll make an additional measurement: (1) Bike off stand, rider mounted, measure distance from ground to lower lip of fender at highest point. Subtract from 27", then subtract that remainder from 5" loaded clearance found above. The result should be loaded wheel-fender clearance. I suspect I'm OK.

Out of characters. More to come. JT

[montmil]

Could you not use a piece of that green, dense florist foam carved to sit on the top of the rear wheel and touching the inner fender surface; then test load the bike?

Remove the crushed foam and measure the new wheel to loaded bike/fender clearance. Crude, yes, but likely close enough for gub'ment work.

Just an idea...     Monte

[Altritter]

Reply #2 (See my previous posting.)

The Dave Quinn Motorcycles person said something interesting to me yesterday. He told me about a customer with a BMW airhead (standard twin-shock length 13") who installed 11.8" Hagons on his bike. The customer gave DQM feedback that it improved both comfort and handling of the bike significantly. Most interesting was what the guy said about how the change affected the rear geometry of his bike. According to the DQM person, the customer said that the shorter shocks reduced the angle of the bike's drive train components, thus (at least theoretically) reducing wear on the drive spline and possibly extending its life. Can someone evaluate the validity of that assertion? It's far beyond the limits of my expertise.

JT

[Altritter]

Very elegant technique, Monte! Definitely a possibility.

[Justin B.]

I wouldn't think any "splines" would be affected but it might be easier on the U-joint.  But, I thought the R65 had a 12.5" shock opposed to a 13 on the "standard" bikes?

[weasel01]

I like the price on the Hagons compared to the Ikons and they look good too!

My problem is I'm tall 6'3" and dont really want to lower anything if I can help it..

Is it possible that my worn out Boge shocks are already riding lower than a new shorter hagons?

[Bob_Roller]

The condition of the spring, will determine how high or low the bike is sitting .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The springs may have compressed somewhat over the years.  You could always ride with some kind of "butt pad" to get a little extra length.  A lot of us use one anyhow for longer rides.

[suecanada]

I just measured my old OEM shocks on the LS. 13 inches exactly to answer Justin's query. The old/new konis are 13 1/8". That is centre bolt top to centre bolt bottom.

[weasel01]

Yep, I measured mine too and it is a perfect 13"?

I'm gonna sit on it and measure later tonight.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I like the price on the Hagons compared to the Ikons and they look good too!

My problem is I'm tall 6'3" and dont really want to lower anything if I can help it..

Is it possible that my worn out Boge shocks are already riding lower than a new shorter hagons?

I heard (back in the pre-internet days) that the shocks on most airheads were worn out before they ever hit the streets.
Something about being compressed in the shipping crates for so long.

I don't know how accurate any of that is, but I know I waited about 20 years TOO LONG to replace mine.  (Hagon)