Koni Shocks

[Dave_Faria]

Hi List. I am the original owner of a 1978 R80/7 and about 15 years ago I installed Koni shocks on the back. That's probably 60k miles ago. I have two questions.

1. How do you know when they are bad and need to be replaced???

2. They came with a lifetime warranty from Koni when Ibought them from Capitol Cycle. Will they still honor the warranty with or without the paper work???

[GregFeeler]

Hi List. I am the original owner of a 1978 R80/7 and about 15 years ago I installed Koni shocks on the back. That's probably 60k miles ago. I have two questions.

1. How do you know when they are bad and need to be replaced???

2. They came with a lifetime warranty from Koni when Ibought them from Capitol Cycle. Will they still honor the warranty with or without the paper work???

Just from mileage they are likely in need of replacement. The bottom line is how they perform, but the problem for most folks is that they have only one bike and the shocks go away so slowly that you adjust and can't easily tell just how bad they are. My experience is that almost everyone who replaces shocks with that kind of mileage is impressed with how much better the bike rides and handles.

As for Koni honoring your warranty, I doubt you'll get any satisfaction. They stopped their bike shock production several years ago so wouldn't have anything to replace yours with. However, you should be able to find someone who could rebuild them for you - at a charge.

[mymindsok]

Feelers right... You can forget about that lifetime gurantee.

At 60k miles, your shocks are shot and ready for replacement BUT... You can rebuild them yourself (Or have them rebuilt.) with a kit thats available from Ikon.
Ikon bought the rights to the Koni design and are reproducing the popular Koni bike shocks today.

If you deside to rebuild your shocks, remember that your springs are probably worn as well and you might consider replacing them, with the correct spring for your weight and riding style.

If you deside to replace your current shocks, you might want to look ar Progressive Shocks. I have a set on mybike and I like em a lot!

[Dave_Faria]

Thanks for your thoughts. I use the bike mainly as a commuter to the grocery and errands now days. It has 114k miles on the odometer and is as smooth as a sewing machine. I'm doing my cleanup and fix up on the bike for the summer. I'll check into the rebuild kits from IKON. I went down and looked at my shocks. They are stamped made by KONI-Holland. I didn't realize they were rebuildable. The top appears to require a special pin wrench to unscrew the top. Any ideas on how to make one or get one???

Thank Again

[orbitangel]

If you decide to replace your current shocks, you might want to look at Progressive Shocks. I have a set on my bike and I like em a lot!

Mind telling us WHICH ONES, exactly?

They have several different ones and I'm in the market.

Thanks! :thumb

[GregFeeler]

Thanks for your thoughts. I use the bike mainly as a commuter to the grocery and errands now days. It has 114k miles on the odometer and is as smooth as a sewing machine. I'm doing my cleanup and fix up on the bike for the summer. I'll check into the rebuild kits from IKON. I went down and looked at my shocks. They are stamped made by KONI-Holland. I didn't realize they were rebuildable. The top appears to require a special pin wrench to unscrew the top. Any ideas on how to make one or get one???

Thank Again

My suggestions would be to a) send them to someone with a good reputation for rebuilding Koni shocks (ask the folks selling Icons - or here on the forum), or b) buy a set of the Progressive 412 shocks. They are some of the least expensive after-market shocks, and although not rebuildable, should do you a fine job for the way your described your riding. I'd either call Progressive directly, or a reseller (like A&S Cycle, Bob's BMW, etc.) for a recommendation. They don't have a fitment chart that's very user friendly.

[johnnyb]

I did call Koni last year. I filled out a form, sent them the shocks, and got a refund check. ( On 22? year old shocks)
I did have the receipt though.

Johnny

[Dave_Faria]

Thanks all. I may actually have the box Konis came in. I know I saw it a few years bk. And if I do I still have the receipt.

Take Care and thanks for the help

[tghsmith]

vech, of bench mark works had the kits for the koni/ikon rebuild, the main failure would be the shaft seal(oily mess easy to find) the rebuild is fairly easy and is basically draining, cleaning, replacing seals and orings, filling and reassembly.. nothing but seals and oil wear out inside the konis!!!!!, springs may slaken up over the years do to use ,roads and loads...

[vanzen]

A stiff and durable old world type shock, the Koni.

I would not "assume" that they are worn.

If the springs are sacked – sag will be greater than spec.
If the seals are worn – either
oil has dumped all over your rear tire
(a phenomenon that contributes significantly to the detriment of TRACTION ...)
or the rear of the bike behaves like a pogo stick.

In all reality, given the time and miles, the nasty old dampers are probably ready for a rebuild.
Koni 7610s are NLA, but,
IKON (http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/product_ranges/7610_series_shocks.shtml) bought the rights and sells both the shocks and parts 4 rebuilding.
The Koni 7610 and Ikon 7610 are completely "parts interchangeable"

[dduelin]

If the oil has not leaked out there is a simple method to see if they still dampen oscillations of the swing arm which after all is their job. Support the bike vertically in a wheel chock or have a friend hold the bike up by standing in front of the handlebars. Quickly press the rear of the bike down and watch the rebound. The rear of the bike should smoothly return to the static position and stop without bobbing up and down a time or two. If it passes this test I would keep using it as a grocery getter as the shocks are still working well.

[Geoff]

My suggestions would be to a) send them to someone with a good reputation for rebuilding Koni shocks (ask the folks selling Icons - or here on the forum), or b) buy a set of the Progressive 412 shocks. They are some of the least expensive after-market shocks, and although not rebuildable, should do you a fine job for the way your described your riding. I'd either call Progressive directly, or a reseller (like A&S Cycle, Bob's BMW, etc.) for a recommendation. They don't have a fitment chart that's very user friendly.

I had the original Koni's in my '84R100RT and they would make tired sounding noises when I put pressure on them. I ended up getting the Progressive replacements and I'm quite happy with them although I didn't realize that they weren't rebuildable. Fortunately for me, I kept the old Koni's and may have them rebuilt at some time. Either way (rebuilt or new) I think you'll feel the difference regardless of your riding style. It's only money and just another one of those things that will give you a little more confidence in in your bike. It's a sickness really.:uhoh

[sumran]

It's a sickness really.:uhoh

:laugh I have the sickness, but there are so many places to spend money that I hate to replace something that is working.