1100 Suspension Upgrade - but what to?

[oilcan]

I've just taken delivery of a 95 1100 with 30K on it and would like to upgrade the suspension at some point in the near future but not sure what to. Most of my riding is on roads with some off road and will be using the bike to tour with luggage and perhaps 2-up.

I've read a few threads on here and checked out some prices but I'm still at a loss what to do.

For a start Ohlins are out of the question as I simply can't afford these. So its either Wilbers or fit the standard OEM shocks (perhaps with stiffer springs).

Can anyone offer any advice regarding these choices as to what might be best suited?

 

[elevensies]

or fit the standard OEM shocks (perhaps with stiffer springs).

yes, if aftermarket shocks are out the question, standard shocks serviced and maybe re sprung is a very good option.

 

[motobiker]

Definitely the cheapest option. £100 is the figure I've seen most often quoted on this site. Its just a matter of doing a search and finding the relevent post with details.

Otherwise Wilbers - which I have, though my bike will never be going off road. so the issues that have been mentioned most notably by Tsiklonaut aren't relevent to me. nor anyone really - his problems were due to riding in extreme conditions 2up and fully loaded. (there may be more to it than that - but there are plenty of Wilbers owners around the world who haven't shared his bad experience)

I was lucky enough to have the cash to hand when a chap on this site organised a group buy with a 20% saving. So - always worthwhile keeping your eyes peeled. these seem to be regularly organised.

There is a rear on ebay at the moment I noticed yesterday.

Or as you're a member it may be well worth your while putting a request in the wanted section. who knows some poor deluded fool may be about to trade in his 1100 or 1150 for another bike and be returning it to OE.

always worth a try.


REVS Racing in Halesowen as well as being the wilbers importer also rebuild SHOWA shocks - so they might be worth speaking to on both fronts.

all the best and congratulations on buying the best GS.

 

[Stewart H]

The rear is the one that gives the biggest improvement and also the first to fail, fronts are more common as they also fit the 1150, I posted a request on this forum for a good usable front and one came through pretty fast, lots of folks who have fitted upgrades have good usable shocks in their garages.
Stewart

 

[oilcan]

would it be advisable to upgrade both shocks together or can the rear be done first, as this appears to give the greater benefit, and have the front done at a later date.

Could I fit a Wilbers to the rear and a refurbed stock to the front?

Do the shocks have to match (i.e. Wilbers front & rear)?

 

[Stewart H]

The rear is usually he first to deteriorate, its fine to have non matching shocks.
Stewart

 

[shready]

I fitted rear Wilbers and the difference was amazing.
Not so amazing on the front though, better but only a bit.

 

[g.s.john]

all bike engineering
unit one peterboat close,
greenwich
SE10 0PX
0208 858 9052
they will rebuild a rear shock for approx £100.00 you could uprate with hyperpro springs www.performanceparts-ltd.com both worth a look.
p.s. you got the right one

 

[gbmud]

Could a lay-person rebuild a shock? Does it need specialist tools or knowhow? What is inside - oil, piston, some valves?

I am not afraid of taking stuff apart - just putting it back together sometimes stretches me.

Anyone here ever done it?

Cheers

Chris



My Engine oil link went down so well the other day that I feel the need to add a link to The Motorbike
Suspension Bible

 

[motobiker]

I have read that to rebuild the OE Showa - a valve needs to be brazed on as its a sealed unit.

inside is I believe high pressure gas. (though I may be wrong on that)

as for a general rebuild - best left to the experts imho. its not a hugely expensive job after all. Not compared with a whole new unit anyway.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Fronts are easy to find, as both the 1100gs and 1150gs use the same, in fact lining up my 1100rt and a 1150gs front shock, they are the same length, the spring on the gs is longer, so theoretically you could use one off one of the 850/1100/1150 range, the rear is likely to be different mind

 

[(RIP) ugg]

the 1100 standard showa shocker spring can be removed , if you have a spring compressor tool, the spring can be removed and fitted with a hyperpro upgrade spring.

If your rebound is working ok , the spring upgrade will be alot better than the old OE spring.

If the rebound is not working id sujest buying a wilbers or try and get a 1100 rear shock, there like rocking horse shit tho..

As for front like others have said, fit a 1150 shock , as they are likley to have less mileage than a 1100 used shock.


ugg

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

if yo up the spring rate on thesyd damping too far it'll get all bouncy-the damping won't keep up

 

[(RIP) ugg]

if yo up the spring rate on thesyd damping too far it'll get all bouncy-the damping won't keep up

Hyperpro springs are made to order and are progressive so spring rate the same, just better cos its new

 

[D6]

the damping can be altered