Hagon shocks question

[Daddy Dom]

After 30 years, despite not looking that bad, I think it's finally time to renew my Marzocchi rear shocks. Sadly there's no-one in NZ willing to rebuild them so any other solution is not cost-effective.
My riding requirements don't change so I reckon adjustable damping isn't necessary so I'll go for the simplest kind with black bodies and chrome springs. According to this auction picture, the chrome springs are progressive while the black ones aren't.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Morini-3 ... 5d3ade9140

My question is simply which spring is preferable and why? And while we're on the subject, can the Hagon users tell me how the chrome or black finishes wear after some years?

Thanks a lot,
Dom

[George 350]

Hi Dom,

Have run Hagon's for years on my Sport, and both chrome and black springs wear well. Paint on the damper bodies isn't bad, but I had to respray mine last year. Wasn't aware of 'progressive' windings to be honest. Spring rate I'm pretty sure is constant, at (on mine) 140lb/in. You can buy direct from Hagon if you want to. http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/p ... no=30001SS Price is almost the same as the ebay price (less than 50p) and you can get different springs fitted if you need to - eg. If you are uber light they will fit 120lb springs, or you can have 160lb springs if you are a heavyweight. The 140's work well for a 10 stone (64kg) rider.
By the way, check out the postage rates for NZ on that ebay link!
Now for an alternative. I have chosen NJB shocks for my Strada I am restoring. At £72 +p&p they are a lot cheaper, and from experience on a racing Bantam they work well. See http://www.njbshocks.co.uk, click on products, then classic. They are not 'gas shocks', more the 1970's Girling type (as are the original Marzocchi) and for the mileage I will be doing nowadays I considered them worth the saving. Finish as received is excellent, but they have not been used yet as restoring continues but will report back when I have.
Hope that this helps you,

George.

[MarkB]

I put Hagon shocks (black with chrome springs) on my Strada 3 years ago, using the ones that Hagon recommended for the Morini 3 1/2, so no special spring rates. There are four or five settings and one click up from the softest setting works well for my 11 stone. The finish has lasted perfectly and they gave plenty of confidence at the Cadwell track day two years ago, while being comfortable on an all-day ride.

What I wouldn't go for again is the progressive front fork springs - I preferred the behaviour of the constant-rate ones.

Regards, Mark.

[mgelder]

I too have got Hagons on my 3 1/2 Sport. I ordered longer than standard ones sprung and damped to suit my 'slightly heavier than an Italian teenager' weight and they arrived the next day at only slightly extra cost. They were a little stiff at first but bedded in within a few hundred miles.

It's well worth - in my view - getting a cheaper pair of shocks that are sprung to your weight and requirements rather than an expensive set that have compromised springing and damping.

[Daddy Dom]

Good feedback, thanks a lot, Team.

By the way, check out the postage rates for NZ on that ebay link!

George, I am dealing directly with Hagon (the ebay picture was just for the spring comparison) and their postage quote was 55 quid - such is the tyranny of distance. I had considered the NJBs but just can't reconcile the fact they are made closer to NZ than the UK, are sent from the factory to NJB who will then send them to me. That's too much of someone else's freight I'm paying for in my reduced price, which leaves me wondering where the value lies for me?

I'm 62 kilos so the standard springs seem ok, but what about progressive or constant-rate rear springs as per the picture? Any feedback from anyone?

Cheers,
Dom

[George 350]

Hi Dom,
Have had a look again at my bike. It does have progressively wound springs, with the close coils at the top. To be honest I didn't even realise it had them. All I can say is that while the Hagons aren't the BEST shocks available, they are very good for the price they charge.
George.

[EVguru]

Progressive springs and dual rate springs work in a similar way, some coils touch as the spring is compressed so they are no longer functioning as part of the spring and the spring rate goes up as a result. A dual rate spring either has two sections with different coil spacings, or is actually made from two separate springs joined by a collar. A progressive spring uses variable coil spacing (and sometimes wire diameter) and can have linear on non-linear progession.

Dual rate springs are ideal for a bike that's going to carry a pillion. Increasing the pre-load would only restore the ride height with a single rate spring, but dual rate springs can be designed so that full pre-load takes the spring entirely into it's higher rate, restoring the suspension to its original stiffness.

Progressive springs are a common fix for coping with a wide range of rider weights, or to try and improve the ride and dive characteristics with crude damping (like our damper rod forks). Often the springs end up a good way into their progression when installed, so could simply have been stiffer to start with. Performance suspension companies like RaceTech or Maxton will often recommend straight rate springs calibrated to the machine/rider weight as the preferred option.

[Daddy Dom]

they are very good for the price they charge.

I came to that exact conclusion, George, "the best" do way more than I need and especially as I have consistent riding requirements I can merrily choose a basic model from Hagon's very (!) extensive range. Win-win, except for the postage cost.

EVguru, thanks for the as-ever concise explanation.

Cheers all, have a good weekend!
Dom