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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ucbvax!ucdavis!lll-crg!seismo!rlgvax!toml
From: toml@rlgvax.UUCP (Tom Love)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: shock absorbers info wanted
Message-ID: <800@rlgvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Oct-85 09:52:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: rlgvax.800
Posted: Fri Oct 18 09:52:36 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 20-Oct-85 09:28:29 EDT
Organization: CCI Office Systems Group, Reston, VA
Lines: 33
Keywords: suspension, shock absorbers, fork springs, general confusion

i'm looking for information again - this time about shock absorbers.
the suspension on my '83 nighthawk 650 (15 Kmiles) has been deteriorating
for the past several thousand miles, to the point where taking a
serious curve on a bumpy road is, shall we say, beyond exhilarating.

my mechanic recommends konis, and i trust my mechanic.
i am, however, curious as to the opinions of net.cycle readers.  i am also
somewhat lacking in basic information about shocks.
for example, what are the tradeoffs, in terms of performance, of the
different kinds of shocks - spring, gas, gas/oil, air, etc...?  and what
are the better makes in each of these categories?
i've noticed a surprising lack of info on shocks in the magazines i read -
virtually no advertisements, save marzochhi, and no reviews.

my nighthawk has two rear shocks, one on each side - i.e. not a monoshock.
it currently (still) has factory issue honda shocks, springs, with four
setting positions.  probably 80% or more of the riding i do is commuting,
often in traffic which may be termed "competetive-minded", if you know
what i mean.  the remaining percentage is longer-trip touring.

in a similar vein, anyone have experience with after-market fork springs?
there's a company called precision xxx, where xxx is a word i don't remember.
their springs are supposed to be good.  what makes a good fork spring?  and
how do i know when i should replace mine?

any and all info, no matter how heretical, will be appreciated.  thanks!


tom love
computer consoles inc - office systems group
reston, va
{seismo | allegra | ihnp4} !rlgvax!toml
(on a computer that used to be a vax, at a company that used to be rlg)