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Really Stupid Question About Shock Absorbers

Printed From: guzziriders.org - moto guzzi forum
Category: Technical
Forum Name: Small Blocks
Forum Description: V35 up to V750 including Breva750, V7, V9 and new V85.
URL: http://www.guzziriders.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=7820
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 12:50
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Topic: Really Stupid Question About Shock Absorbers
Posted By: stuv65
Subject: Really Stupid Question About Shock Absorbers
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 18:19
I love riding my V65 but the suspension just feels so hard it gets uncomfortable to ride.  Every bump and pothole jarrs (spelling?) the bike.

I put Hagons on it (ok they were the cheapest version) which were maybe a little better but still too hard (yes they're on the softest setting).

I am just expecting too much from an old bike?  Or should I try to find some longer and/or softer shocks?

What are the Breva shocks like?  They seem to come up for sale often, are they soft? I'm not a fast rider so not looking for any fancy solution.

Answers on a postcard please....

ta
stuart




Replies:
Posted By: s_ellinson
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 18:28
I don't know how true this is, but I did read that earlier Guzzi suspension tended to be hard and firmly damped partly because that was the definition of "taught" and partly because the rear susension has to cope with the greater unsprung weight (when compared to a chain drive bike) of the bevel box.

Not sure if it's true - these days, I try to ride around the pot holes.....


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Le Mans II, SPIII, 750 superMonza, 125 Co-Uno

One day, I'll think of a decent signature.


Posted By: Brian UK
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 18:40
Don't recall problems with my 1980 V50. When you got the Hagons, did you tell them the weights involved so that they could supply the right weight springs? Sounds as if your springs might be too hard. A call to Hagons might be well worth while, they are very helpful.

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Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.


Posted By: rapheal
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 22:08
Stuart, if you want a pair of Breva ones, I have set here you are welcome to
they are not rusty either like most
you could try them and see if its any better


Posted By: iansoady
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 10:13
I have hagons on my V50 and also find it harsh. I've sourced a pair of original Girling 110 lb / in springs which I will be fitting over the winter and see if they improve matters. That's the rate fitted to B33s etc so should be close.

Looking back through receipts it does seem as though Hagons supplied some alternative springs but I don't understand their rating system quoted on the document. And £50-dd for the springs alone seems a bit steep.....


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Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Greeves/Triumph in progress


Posted By: johnno
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 10:55
Don't go for longer shocks you will change the angle of the uj .

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1100 sport corsa , Yam R1, guzzi 650tt rider


Posted By: c13pep
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 12:10
Both my V50/3s are harsh rides, one is fitted with Konis the other is fitted with Hagons and like yours are on the softest setting. Unfortunately it appears to be a guzzi thing along with the pneumatic/hydraulic forks (cheap). Both bikes are not bad on roadholding with the Konis having a slight edge but changing the harshness appears to need money throwing at it in that changing the back end may influence the front end and vice versa.
I also checked the smooth operation of the swing arm with the shocks disconnected just in case there was any stiffness there, along with all the shock mounting bushes.
I`m no lightweight at 17 stone but my stick like grandson calls both my bikes `boneshakers` compared to modern day machinery, thing is in the 80s I don`t remember them being this harsh on a lot worse roads, but perhaps that`s more about my memory than the bikes.
Chris   

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you can`t have any fun in a straight line

Monza
Honda CB77 project



Posted By: Ken-Guzzibear
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 12:58
The V50 with Hagons were fine and the V1000 is way better with Hagons than the koni dial a rides it did have and I was totally a Koni guy , bought the others as was short of £ at the time but to be fair they are brill Italian suspension it often firmer than jap one reason they hold the road but bone jarring ....no not at all

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The Older i Get, The Better I Was


Posted By: cyclobutch
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 13:09
Weird isn't it. I'm running a couple of bikes on bargains basement Hagons. The Kawa H1 is just fine, the Hardley way too harsh. The Veefer and T3 are both on Ikons. Probly about another £100 on top of the Hagons, but you can sure tell. They both ride peachy. 

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Butch
V50 II - 'The Black Pearl'
T3 - 'Blue'
Eldo Loop - 'Jug'


Posted By: johnno
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 15:54
Originally posted by cyclobutch cyclobutch wrote:

Weird isn't it. I'm running a couple of bikes on bargains basement Hagons. The Kawa H1 is just fine, the Hardley way too harsh. The Veefer and T3 are both on Ikons. Probly about another £100 on top of the Hagons, but you can sure tell. They both ride peachy. 
I run my 650 TT on Made in China £69 Shocks but if your over 10 stone I would think twice but for me Ace

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1100 sport corsa , Yam R1, guzzi 650tt rider



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