Suspension mods started

[ohiorider_imp]

Please post updates, quite interested in your observations. Why those shocks and that weight?

My choice to select the lighter springs was to first give them a try. I don't often ride double, and I weigh 160 pounds. The stock rear shocks felt like my weight didn't even begin to compress the springs. Ikon indicated they would replace the light springs with a heavier set for a very modest price, if I found the light springs too light, so that's the reason for initially going with the lighter springs.

Re why these shocks, the price wasn't too bad, they had four rebound damping rates, they are rebuildable, and they could be ordered to cosmetically look much like the OEM shocks. Plus, dealing with Ikon USA on the phone was a good experience.

Bob

Here's a quick update. Today was the first ride when I thought I'd reset the rebound damping rate from light to heavier, after experiencing a higher kickback than expected. So I set them at 1.5 instead of 2, 3, or 4. Since I noticed the rebound was somewhat harsh, I contacted Ikon USA and asked if the shocks had several positions between 1 and 4. Answer was 'no,' the rod I turned when changing from lighter to heavier rebound damping contains 4 orifices of varying size. Setting the rebound at, for example, 1.5, does not align an orifice where it needs to be. It needs to be rotated to 1, 2, 3, or 4. Makes sense.

I'd be interested in the choice of fork upgrade. Do you ride aggressively and want a firmer front end?


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No, I am not an aggressive rider. I've ridden for years on older Beemers with extremely soft suspension. What I'm shooting for is suspension that lets me ride my CB solo over less than perfect road surfaces, but with a feel more like a cartridge fork vs damper tube. I asked Traxxion Dynamics to supply a fork kit that would (a) accommodate my weight, (b) type of riding, and © my suspension goal, ie compliant over less-than-perfect road surfaces. The Traxxion Dynamics kit comes with RaceTech Gold valves that should be an improvement over the stock damper rods. Not looking for firmer, but for more compliant suspension over a variety of road surfaces. Guess I've ridden and adapted to Beemer soft suspension over the years. I think the Germans called the older airhead a 'gummikuh' or rubber cow.