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Hagon Shocks

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Hi,

I am going to replace the rear shocks on my 850 MK1 Commando, rather as a matter of course, not because I know the old ones are definitely unserviceable.

My question is if Hagon shocks are significantly better than the Girling shocks originally fitted?

Is the additional expense warranted?

I'm interested to hear of peoples  experiences!

 

Thanks and BR,

Keith

 

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There are various Hagons, some unadjustable and on a par with the original Girlings and others with adjustable damping so you can play with them. I have a set of the adjustable ones but prefer the 7610's Koni's which will be going back on this winter now that I have rebuilt them. NJB make a basic but good shock, ran by an ex-Girling engineer, he will give you the spring rates you want.

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I'd also recommend the Ikon's over Hagon & Girling - they're adjustable & fully rebuildable: https://ikonshocks.co.uk/product-category/norton/

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket go to Maxton  ;-)

Mike

 

The Hagon shock damping adjustment affects both compression and rebound damping rates in a ratio.  I have these on a 1978 Moto Guzzi T3 and they go from rock hard to very soft but since there is 10 adjustment steps there is a setting for every eventuality both solo or with pillion.  The Koni/Ikon shock adjustments only affect the rebound damping rate with no affect at all on the compression rate.

Hi,

The cost of some of these other shocks is 'shocking' - I was looking at Ikon.

I think if I would spend that sort of money, I'd have to go the whole hog and do the head steady and maybe for the Ikon fit multi rate fork springs.

really, I just want to get a feeling for whether or not the extra expenses for the Hagons is justified, or would I just as well fit the shocks supplied by ANIL or RGM?

(I am 60 something and don't feel the desire to throw bikes around anymore, as I used to!).

 

Keith

I would go for Andover Norton having had Hagons fail and they never seemed very good. But if looking to spend more Ikon which I should have got first time around.

 

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I`m in the process of rebuilding my MK3, i am going to replace my old and tired Hagon shocks with the Andover Norton ones which i am told are copies of the original Girlings, also they will look right.

Ian

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Alf bought the rights to the Girling gas shox. So, no better, no worse. Exactly the same.

+ one for Ikon since 8 years.

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Two up and with luggage they are a clear and significant improvement on the Hagons, Girlings etc

Not sure where you would buy them now. When I was looking Norman Hyde was the principal retailer and not very interested in Commandos. If you buy some you have to make sure they will clear the chain guard. Depending on specification, some don’t which is a real pain

Alan

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In forty-odd years of Commando ownership, I'm on my second pair of Konis - I really should get round to re-sealing the first pair just in case...The damping and compliance of even the non Dial-a-rides is streets ahead of gas Girlings / Hagons.

The original oil-damped Girlings on Commandos gave a good ride, better than gas under normal road conditions in my opinion but the seals were very short -lived...three years or so was about their limit and they weren't dismantlable.

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I haven't personally used them but NJB shocks get good reviews and the owner does actually ride old bikes. They are very reasonably priced too.

http://www.njbshocks.co.uk/phone/classic.html

 

Ian

 

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Hi, I have used both Koni and Hagon with good results on my Norton's.

However for the last 20 years I have used Falcons which can be personalised for your riding style, and look great too.

Jon.

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I've had Hagon shocks on a few bikes over the years, recently on a 1979 BMW R100RT, and they've always done the job. My 99 Slimline Domi came with Hagon shocks and when the time comes I'll replace them with Hagons not because they look the part, for my purposes they do the job. I don't need fancy 'high tech' or 'high spec' shocks just to bimble around on, just something that gives a stable and comfy ride.

Like most things in life, you choose what is best for purpose, (assuming that she who must be obeyed agrees).

John.

 


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