cheap ebay shocks

af1 wrote:Ahh! I must admit I love the cb500's simplicity

I agree ... it is nice to work on simpler technology.

Replacing the shocks took me about an hour and that was taking the Rentec rack off before the rear plastics. Thankfully with the Fuel end can on I could get at the lower right bolt without having to remove it.

Had them on for 1,023 miles now better cornering, no bottoming out even 2 up on lowest setting speed bumps are not bad too
the are well worth the cost that I can see,
When fitting smear some fairy liquid around the inside of rubbers they slip on so easy ,
cheer folks ride safe.
Martin.

Hi all,
Really need to replace my rear shocks and the ones that were available at the beginning of this thread don't seem to be around anymore.
Does anyone know of any cheaper reliable alternatives to Hagons that are about at the moment?
Thanks
Mike

mikeh wrote:Hi all,
Really need to replace my rear shocks and the ones that were available at the beginning of this thread don't seem to be around anymore.
Does anyone know of any cheaper reliable alternatives to Hagons that are about at the moment?
Thanks
Mike

Hey Mike
the only thing I can see is ebay 310636013663
keep a watch on it see what happens
Regards.
Martin

Good spot Martin, thanks for the heads up!

your welcome Mike,
hope they stay at a good price for you,
Regards.
Martin.

In the same vein - is it worth buying these?

Ebay rear shocks

Anyone got any thoughts on these other than the terrible colour?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80gee-13-5-340mm-Pair-Air-Shock-Absorbers-Clevis-VMAX-GS500-CB-500-Quad-ATV-/251254812316?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a7ff42e9c

Yes a terrible colour - have you checked the measurements? will they fit?

It isn't clear in the advert if they are for the *old* CB500 or our CB500...

The width of the eyes are too wide. 21mm when they need to be 18mm. CB750 shocks will fit, they have the same sizes and are 25mm long. Not a bad thing getting a bit of a lift as I am tall. Just noticed I need a new rear tyre though so that will have to be done first! There's always something.

Sorry, realised that the link didnt work on my last post.

I it worth buying cheap shocks, such as these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHROME-ADJ-SHOCK-ABSORBERS-HONDA-CB500-500-4-71-73-/190751426063?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2c69abc60f

or even these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-cb500-rear-shocks-/181116171278?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2a2b5d740e




Thanks

openrob wrote:Sorry, realised that the link didnt work on my last post.

I it worth buying cheap shocks, such as these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHROME-ADJ-SHOCK-ABSORBERS-HONDA-CB500-500-4-71-73-/190751426063?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2c69abc60f

or even these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-cb500-rear-shocks-/181116171278?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2a2b5d740e




Thanks

1st link is a definate no. They are for a 70's CB500.

2nd link look like OE showa shocks

271190568476

The item number above on fleabay links to the shocks that started this thread - look good!

Frog

I fitted a pair of the TEC shocks of the same seller as the OP linked to at the start of this thread:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271228137031?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

They look to be well finished, and are the exact same length as the ones I took off, which were a pair of Hagons by the way; the black painted bodies hadn't faired well at all through last winter, although the chrome springs were still OK. Worst of all was the RH shock had sprung a significant leak due to visible scoring on the pushrod (the LH shock's pushrod was also scored, but not leaking - yet!).

It's possible to remove and install the rear shocks without removing the rear plastics; once the mid panels are removed, there's plenty enough flex in the rear panels to ease the shock off the top mount. I have a Renntec sports rack fitted as well, and didn't need to unbolt it at all.

I put the bike on the side stand, and used a car scissor jack under the centre stand to just take the weight off the rear wheel, so that it wouldn't drop when removing the shocks. Using a scissor jack also provides a good means for aligning the bottom shock and swingarm eyes for easy bolt insertion later on.

I had to remove the silencer to get the RH lower mount bolt out, but with an aftermarket can and link pipe fitted, it was a doddle.

Unfortunately there was no C spanner in with the shocks, so I could only get them adjusted to the middle setting; hopefully this will be OK for me, at least for the time being until my spanner turns up from the ebay seller! I'm 10 1/2 stone, so might be OK.

Some pics from today:

Before:



After:





Comparison:



Old leaky Hagon:



I'll post back with a ride report later.

How the Hagons felt when they were new ? Im sooo scared to buy things. Right now with the spring preload at the second setting the shocks feel REALLY stiff when im riding alone but i bottom them out on big dips in road when riding with pillion. I would get ones a littler taller then the stock maybe .5 inches more excursion because i ride mostly with pillion.

Tzache wrote:How the Hagons felt when they were new ? Im sooo scared to buy things. Right now with the spring preload at the second setting the shocks feel REALLY stiff when im riding alone but i bottom them out on big dips in road when riding with pillion. I would get ones a littler taller then the stock maybe .5 inches more excursion because i ride mostly with pillion.

 The Hagons are a good shock. They were fine until the one started leaking a couple of months ago.

You need to increase the preload when riding two-up. Depending on the weight of your pillion, you may need to have it set to maximum.

I put 60 miles on the new TEC Brand shocks today, and I have to say I'm really impressed.

Gone is the soggy feeling that the Hagons instilled, and now the rear end feels firm, pert even (gotta love a pert rear end eh!).

The whole bike feels really different to ride. It feels much more stable in a straight line at speed, and I found myself going into fast 70mph-ish corners nearly 10mph quicker that I normally would, just because it felt like it could do it with ease. And it did, every time. The bike holds its line better, doesn't move around as much, and just feels, well, planted. And quicker!

I'm going to go out and check the preload adjustment on the old Hagons, because it's possible that I had them set too soft. Either way, I can't make a meaningful comparison because the Hagons are at least a couple years old and one had leaked most of its oil, whereas the TEC Brand units are new.

I have to say, I can't get over how good the bike feels having spent less than £60 on the suspension! That's less than half the price of the equivalent Hagon shocks!

If you end up buying these, you won't regret it. Even if they rust and fall apart in a couple years, they only cost you 60 pence per week!

Update:

I'm still loving the new TEC Brand shocks.

I checked the preload setting on the Hagons, and discovered they're both set to the middle (of three) settings, so in theory equivalent to my set-up on the TEC shocks.

The new TEC shocks are MUCH firmer than the old Hagons.

just out of interest how are you getting on still with the tec, looking to up grade my suspension soon

i think the cb is 350mm?