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Bandito suspension

 
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sidecarken



Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: Avondale Estates, GA

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 1:11 pm    Post subject: Bandito suspension Reply with quote

Does anyone have experience with repairing/replacing or modifying the front and rear shocks/springs on the Bandit 1200 Bandito? I'm not sure what the original front suspension was sourced from or whether the rear shock was modified in any way from the original bike shock. The front has always seemed to me to lack damping and has no adjustment so far as I can tell. The rear is beginning to feel mushy, so I am hoping to find replacements or to rebuild what is there.
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,
Do you have one of the Hannigan Bandit Banditos. If so, I can give you what I used. I'm quite happy with the way mine works.
Bill Bassett
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2010 Concours/Hannigan hp
1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 / Escort
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sidecarken



Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: Avondale Estates, GA

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, mine was one of the first ones built. Aside from a few teething problems, I have been happy with it. It was built on a 2002 Bandit.
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,
Mine is an 05. I used a QA1 front shock with rebound and compression damping with a solid bush at both ends. The new spring was a 350lb one from Hyperco. As I remember there was a little lathe work on the retainers to fit this spring. I had Dave Quinn at Hagons in CT do a rear shock. The number of the rear shock was HA M63094R (his 1200 Suzuki uprate remote adjuster)
I'll get you the number of the front shock and a pic tonight, I'm not with the bike. The remote adjuster makes it easy to adjust the shock and I needed to adjust it after installation. The stock setup is fairly difficult to get to.
With the swaybar, the sidecar rode flat but both ends of the bike were mushy. The new shocks and springs cured that. I much prefer the handling to what I had.
Bill
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1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 / Escort
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,
A few pics of what the shocks look like after installation. You can see how the remote adjuster on the rear shock could be useful. The front is easily adjusted too.
Bill








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1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 / Escort
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,
Was any of this info helpful to you? Do you need more-----?
Bill
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sidecarken



Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: Avondale Estates, GA

PostPosted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:46 pm    Post subject: bandito suspension Reply with quote

Thanks so much for the info, Bill. Can you tell me from whom you purchased the front shock/spring? I spoke with the Walters USA rep at the RA rally about having a Wilburs set-up done, but it looks like I would need to bring the bike to them in FL or ship them the parts for reverse engineering which, I'm sure would be expensive. I'll contact your guy about the rear shock
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're welcome Ken. I took a pic of the shock box end when I did the other pics but it did not come out.
I'll get you the shock info when I go home this aft. Do you have a lathe?
This shock setup will work well for you right out of the box without a lot experimentation.
I was helped with my suspension questions by some of the more knowledgeable people on this list.
back to you later.
Bill
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1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 / Escort
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sidecarken



Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Location: Avondale Estates, GA

PostPosted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:18 pm    Post subject: Bandito suspension Reply with quote

Unfortunately, I don't have a lathe, so that part was a little off-putting, but I can probably find some help around here if necessary.
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Ralph



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 603
Location: Lexington, Ky

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smile
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,
The front shock is a QA1 Proma Star, #DD304, length is 12.65", collapsed length is 9.5", retainers are for a 2.5"id spring, 350 lb rate. It is rebound and compression damping. Get it with bushing ends. This shock is available at Summit Racing as well as a number of other places.
Hyperco and Eibach sell springs, you'll have to google them. My front spring is an Hyperco. It'll be worth it.
Bill
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1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 / Escort
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Blast54



Joined: 14 Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Location: foster,RI

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jagwillie wrote:
Ken,
The front shock is a QA1 Proma Star, #DD304, length is 12.65", collapsed length is 9.5", retainers are for a 2.5"id spring, 350 lb rate. It is rebound and compression damping. Get it with bushing ends. This shock is available at Summit Racing as well as a number of other places.
Hyperco and Eibach sell springs, you'll have to google them. My front spring is an Hyperco. It'll be worth it.
Bill


Bill, just curious as to why you bought it with bushings instead of bearings?
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2004 BMW K1200GT/ Hannigan Bandito
Bill Kenney
Foster,RI
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jagwillie



Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Posts: 23
Location: Wyoming, RI

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 2:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It isn't necessary to use a spherical bearing. In the center hub steering the only suspension movement is vertical (castor), there is no camber change.
Bill
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1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 / Escort
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Blast54



Joined: 14 Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Location: foster,RI

PostPosted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jagwillie wrote:
It isn't necessary to use a spherical bearing. In the center hub steering the only suspension movement is vertical (castor), there is no camber change.
Bill


Good point and nice photos! I need to find out if that setup would work on my front for the K1200GT. I have been meaning to change out my front shock. I rebuilt it this winter so it does not leak but it is such a pain to adjust. The spring has to come off to get to the damping adjustments. I will be checking with Bill when I see him this weekend.
Thanks again for the pics.

Bill Kenney
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2004 BMW K1200GT/ Hannigan Bandito
Bill Kenney
Foster,RI
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