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Mk2a - Rear Suspension

Submitted by mark_oliver2 on Tue, 11/01/2022
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Commando

Hello, and thank you for your previous help with tyres.

Please can you let me have your thoughts about rear suspension for a Mk2a.

Currently using Hagons, 13 inch long, I don't know the spring weighting rate, but the front does feel light when at low speed two up.

Will be riding two up most of the time. Have things moved on since the forum posts of 1997?

Thanks MarkO

Submitted by hans_taylor on Tue, 11/01/2022

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Hi Mark,  having used Hagons for years,  I  have splashed out and had some Falcons made up. They are made to order, for your weight and riding style, and are fab. After sorting the front end ( progressive springs & rgm damping kit) this was the obvious way to go. Go smoooooth !

Submitted by john_holmes on Tue, 11/01/2022

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Are you using the preload and raising the bike at the back. I use rebuilt Koni's with adjustable rebound damping and when 2 up raise the rebound damping 1 notch and set preload to highest of the 3 steps and no lightness at the front. There are better Hagons now, but the basic one is just a copy of the original Girlings. I have fitted CBR600 cartridges to the front as well with std springs, the progressives I had in before did not seem to add anything compared to normal and cartridges work better with std springs so changed back.

Submitted by paul_taylor1 on Tue, 11/01/2022

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Have you tried putting a cable tie round the stem of the Shock? This tells you how much travel you’re using(apologies if you know this)

paul

Submitted by mark_oliver2 on Sun, 16/01/2022

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Thanks for your advice.

The cable tie is a good trick, first time I have used it, thanks Paul. I have made a table of the compression I was able to measure. The stem I measured to be 66mm long. The table shows the reduction in stem length with pre-load and weight. Will compare these with the replacements. The bike definitely sits down even with stiffest pre-load.

Hans, the Falcons look great, but not sure I can run to them.

John, will be looking into Koni vs Hagon. Thank you.

Any further thoughts welcome

Best regards.

Attachments
Worn shocks.docx

 


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