okay, I think I figured it out. photobucket gave me problems so I had to upload these photos to facebook and grab them from there... oh technology, sometimes you are not my friend.
here is what the bike looks like on the side stand vs. the center stand.
How many miles are on the bike? That'll be a good indication of the life of the shocks if they are original. The OEM Boges only last 20K miles or so. You can get either pogo'ing or lock up with'em.
BUT, one more thing --- if they feel hard and affect your ride, before you trash them, check to see if the spring height adjuster is all the way up. You will see the collar at the bottom of the springs sitting on the longest cam adjustment, compressing the springs. If it is there, rotate the handle until you are at the lowest setting and see how that works.
your fotos came thru just after I posted my reply. Looks like the adjuster is at the max. Rotate the handle to drop the lower collar to the least tension and see if that makes the shocks work better.
If the rear suspencion is fully (or excessively) compressed when the bike is on its wheels, it's not the shocks that are the problem, it's the springs. Thats not to say, of course, that the shocks are any good, just that they aren't the cause of the excessive compression of the rear suspension. The stock 'Boge' shock absorbers aren't easily rebuildable... I've heard of it being done but it is a major exercise involving re-machining of the shock body... However, they can be fitted with new springs if the damping is OK.
well it sounds like I need new shocks. I browsed around a little on ebay and IBMWR and there are options out there. someone is selling some shocks on ebay called SU Monroe... anyone know about these? it seems that there are other options out there as well, from used sets of the Boges to new progressive shocks.
Ikon shocks have withstood reasonable punishment for 5 years on my RS, lots of rough dirt roads.
3 spring settings and adjustable dampening.
The Ikon factory is about 5 minutes drive from my house.
I was able to buy a pair at reduced priced because of excessive chrome partly obscuring the part number on the shocks! Me likey!
seems like lots of options... I'm in a bit of a bind. I just got back from traveling and I'm awfully broke right now.
also I'm debating about whether to keep this bike or sell it as money is nice to have and I also have a 2004 R1150R in the stable... it would be easier to sell a bike with working rear suspension I think.
