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Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

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comjohn
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:45 pm

Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by comjohn »

Hello, 1966 R69S. In the family since new but never had the rear shocks serviced. I pulled them out and cycled them and they are not a "Steady pull" in the first two inches of travel either in or out. Normal? or a sign the internal dampers are shot?

If they are shot, are there manufacturers a I should look for or avoid?

Thanks

John
John
1966 R69S
1985 R80 G/S

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Bikesmith01
Posts: 46
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:55 pm

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by Bikesmith01 »

Hey John,
Are you holding your shock vertically as you test it? You'll get results like what you're describing if you test the shock on its side. If, while holding it vertically, you're still not getting any damping in the first couple inches of the stroke then yes, your shock is shot.

What you need as a replacement is BMW part #33 52 3 054 290. You can get them at MaxBMW for sure. Probably lots of other places, too. Maybe used on ebay?

As for other manufacturers, that's something I'm curious about myself. Anybody know of an upgrade shock absorber that'll fit into the suspension of our bikes? The stock shocks seem pretty good, but I'd love to know if there are options.

-Jon
******************************************************************
Jon the Bikesmith
1959 BMW R60
1940 Royal Enfield WD-C/O
1942 Chevy 3/4-ton special Flatbed
1985 BMW K100RS
******************************************************************

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miller6997
Posts: 1185
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by miller6997 »

When the front shocks on my '67 gave up at around 75K miles, I replaced them with adjustable shocks from Ikon. They work well and the company is responsive to questions. You can check them out here: https://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/

Jon
Jon Miller
'67 R69S
'13 F800GT
Altadena, California

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comjohn
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:45 pm

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by comjohn »

Thanks Jon and Jon,

I was a rube and was testing sideways. They are fine when vertical. You'd think they might be due after 54 years...But they aren't weeping so I am going to run them.

I got this info from Greg Hutchinson on possible replacements.
"For shocks, call Benchmark Works for the original Boge shocks..or Ebay for Ikon shocks..they took over from Koni."

John
John
1966 R69S
1985 R80 G/S

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malmac
Posts: 796
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 2:10 am
Location: Toowoomba, Australia.
Has thanked: 1 time

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by malmac »

well there you go. I didnt know Ikon shocks were made in Australia.

I know where to go when I need some.


Mal

Toowoomba
Australia
mal - R69s
Toowoomba- Australia

sorbo1
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 6:45 pm

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by sorbo1 »

Mal
The Ikon shocks are made in Albury . I have been using their shocks on my race bikes for many years . If and when you need a set . I have a mate who has an account with them and gets trade price .I also have a NOS set of Koni that I bought a long time ago . Never fitted them to my R69s as the Boge units were OK . Best regards

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comjohn
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:45 pm

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by comjohn »

Sorbo1

Very cool and very tempting! I bet you'll get some uptake on that offer.

John
John
1966 R69S
1985 R80 G/S

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malmac
Posts: 796
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 2:10 am
Location: Toowoomba, Australia.
Has thanked: 1 time

Re: Rear Shock Diagnosis and Recommendation

Post by malmac »

sorbo1 wrote:
Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:09 pm
Mal
The Ikon shocks are made in Albury . I have been using their shocks on my race bikes for many years . If and when you need a set . I have a mate who has an account with them and gets trade price .I also have a NOS set of Koni that I bought a long time ago . Never fitted them to my R69s as the Boge units were OK . Best regards
So you are based in Australia I assume.
You could message me direct at mal@malmac.net re the Koni shocks. Are they rear shocks?

Mal
mal - R69s
Toowoomba- Australia

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