Used Koni Shocks, Opinions from suspension guru's please Options

[Allan]

Could you guys take a look at these and give me some feedback.

Aaron says they look scarey... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[eeyore]

It looks as if those custom lower perches not only adjust height, but pre-load as well. Somewhat clever.

[SLITS]

If the Koni shocks are good, they are good. You would have to disassemble them and check the resistance to be sure......$75 eacn isn't to bad....I would prefer $50, but then I am Forengi.

Adjustable is nice.......

Aaron is a scare-dy-kat.....we'll waste your money for you.....buy....buy....buy until you drop.

[Marlow]

"have been cleaned out and reassembled with motorcycle fork oil"

Are they still Koni's if the oil's been changed to something else? Did they use motorcycle oil to start with?

[Mueller]

i'd save my money and buy brand new Koni Yellows.....

[Thorshammer]

Suspension fluid is similar in it's working ability.

If someone contacted Koni and got a Viscosity this is posssible and will be more available than getting fluid from Koni. However the Viscosity must be known.

A drip cup test can be performed and even though the fluid will be old and worn out (yes it does wear out) an idea of what V is used can be found. A drip cup/funnel has the suspension fluid poured into it after being heated to a given temp. Then a stop watch is used and the drops are counted over a period of time. Next the fluid is heated to a higher temp and the process repeated. This will establish a viscosity AND a Viscosity index. A VI of over 380 will be a decent fluid, Some (spectro) motorcycle fluids have a VI of 400. Which indicates temperature stability over a range. Some fluids do not list a drip cup method and are labeled using SAE 2.5 wt, 5 wt, 7.5 wt etc... I have found many pf these fluids when tested are plus or minus 2wt up AND down. Most oil manufacturers use a base stock and blend from there. Normally the lighter the fluid the less change in damping characteristics over a given temperature range. I have actually heard of an engineer that used WATER as a shock fluid (with a touch of Redline water wetter as a lubricant) on a GTP car, but it had to be changed every session.

Some fluids are petroleum and some are a synthetic blend. Polymer enhanced suspension fluid is NOT recomended due to the fact that shock valving has a tendency to shear the tiny fingers off of the polymers when pushed through valves and valving.

As for these shocks, Koni is a good shock. I would however find out the cost of a KONI rebuild and factor that into the price of what you are buying.

Hope this helps.


Erik

Post script: I have intentionally not described every detail, If a fluids engineer would like to comment and describe the process and the temperatures please do so as I only intended to impart a general idea of suspension fluid.

[Allan]

QUOTE (Mueller @ Jun 8 2005, 07:10 PM)

i'd save my money and buy brand new Koni Yellows.....

So where is the cheapest place to get new ones??? The last quote I got was for almost $700.00. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)

[gfulcher]

QUOTE (Mueller @ Jun 8 2005, 09:10 PM)

i'd save my money and buy brand new Koni Yellows.....

I concur. Used shocks are just that. I have six Konis sitting in a box in various states of disrepair. It's really hard to tell, if not impossible, if the shocks are any good when there are coils around 'em.

I recently swapped out my red Koni's for a new set of four Yellow's with adjustable spring perches and can honestly say, the Koni Sport's are sweet as sweet can be. A bit pricey, yes - but worth every penny.

-greg