Rear shocks for SF1 - replace or clean up

tyelav13 said:
I have just had my second failure (rod snapping) with hagon shocks on my sf1. My first was with shocks that were fitted when I bought the bike so I gave them the benefit of the doubt as I did not know when they were fitted etc. As they had worked well before snapping I bought a new set and fitted them about 3 years ago and despite not having a great deal of use one of them snapped on the way to the laverda meet in the midlands (uk) yesterday. As I knew the history of these shocks (bought from new) I can’t say I would recommend anyone fitting them. Luckily Phil Todd removed a shock from his race bike so I could fit and get home. Much appreciated from a top guy. For background info I am not exactly huge (16.5 stone) and the shocks had never been used two up. I gave my weight when I purchased them so they were set up accordingly. I am pretty sure I have them fitted to my mirage (will check later) and if so I will be saving to replace them too as not exactly confident in using them.
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As mentioned above, I had a rod snap on a pair of Ikon. Be sure that the shock functions in a strictly vertical plane.
What's 16.5 stone in kilogrammes?
Paul
 
tyelav13 said:
I have just had my second failure (rod snapping) with hagon shocks on my sf1. My first was with shocks that were fitted when I bought the bike so I gave them the benefit of the doubt as I did not know when they were fitted etc. As they had worked well before snapping I bought a new set and fitted them about 3 years ago and despite not having a great deal of use one of them snapped on the way to the laverda meet in the midlands (uk) yesterday. As I knew the history of these shocks (bought from new) I can’t say I would recommend anyone fitting them. Luckily Phil Todd removed a shock from his race bike so I could fit and get home. Much appreciated from a top guy. For background info I am not exactly huge (16.5 stone) and the shocks had never been used two up. I gave my weight when I purchased them so they were set up accordingly. I am pretty sure I have them fitted to my mirage (will check later) and if so I will be saving to replace them too as not exactly confident in using them.
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Hi Tyrone was wondering how long it would take for you to post ! Phil to the rescue ! We had a great day / ride but will be memorable for other reasons to you and your mates.
 
I recommend NJB shocks in the UK (don't know if he exports). Norman is a top guy, ex-Girling development engineer. I fitted a pair of his shocks on my SF. Assembled to order after a chat about my weight, riding style etc and delivered in 2 or 3 days of order. Big improvement over the 50 year old Ceriani and lighter too, slightly cheaper than Hagon, adjustable length, stainless and aluminium.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions and tales of woe. Seems like there are a lot of failures in modern shock replacement - did the Cerani's ever fail like that?

NJBs look like good value but probably going to be hit up for shipping - looks like front runner is YSS at the moment.
 
YSS does a couple of models, their Piggybacks are not crazy money but they're not cheap either. I believe there were started by an Ex White Power, unfortunate company name, Dutch Engineer.
 
Your choice your bike but it wasn't long before plenty of bikes had piggyback-style shocks. The mid to late 70s I think, Maz were first with them I think. A mate had a set of Symbles that I lusted after, I evenly fitted a set to my Pantah and they looked great but performed less well. The idea was more fluid room = less heat buildup = less fade.
 
chrissoz said:
Piggybacks are not the look I am going for! Would look out of place on an old drum braked bike - was thinking of just going for the YSS basic model as I am not a big suspension fiddler. My mountain bike has lots of knobs on the shock and fork that I never touch.

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Bewdy........just the ticket 👌
 
Hey Vince - you may be right - but all the piggybacks I see look a bit modern for the old drum brake bike. Not sure I'm going to be riding hard enough to fade the shocks. Its amazing how shabby the Ceranis looked once they were off the bike and on the bench!
 
I put IKONs on my SF1 and it was a remarkable improvement. Want to soften up the front next. I've put the old shocks all slathered in grease in a box for the next owner to restore if they want them. I know I will never be putting them back on.
 
I have Wilburs on my Jota, piggy backs, and also on my bmw r1200st front and back. Tip top on both, pricey, but seem to have what i paid for. Jota handles brilliantly..Keith N did the forks..not sure exactly whats in there! Nimble thing even around the lanes, Contis fitted by Keith, now tubeless, no doubt help.
 
would steer clear of the Gazi and the Ikon shocks
Had a triple here on the weekend, rider arrived, checked out his new bike to him and pointed out his left hand Gazi shock had a broken rod
Seen two sets of Gazi shocks break their rods on a friends SF3, after the 2nd failure he changed to Ohlins
Also have had to replace two sets of failed Ikon shocks, both with broken rods

My go to choice these days are Racetech's and K-Tech
 
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