I put Hagons on mine as a replacement as that's what came off as original on my '77 T140V. Just one thought. See what others say. I do have a '73 T140V and used Hagons on that as well. However, I don't know what the originals were for that year.

 

@LozScott

From what I see Hagons are today's Girlings and Ikons are today's Konis.

Since you are in the UK and have easy access to Hagon that's what I'd choose.

 

Check the replies to this post just a little way down from here.

https://www.triumphrat.net/threads/girling-classic-shock-spring-specs.1006823/#post-2004413965

I've used NJB with success.

 

Hi,

seeing plenty of girlings advertised as 'genuine ' or 'OEM'

The original Girling company was one of the biggest components suppliers to the British automotive industry; however, they only supplied rear shock absorbers to BSA/Triumph. Having owned one of my triples from brand-new, I can say original OEM Girlings were crude suspension even by 1970's standards ...

will need some new shocks for my T140V rebuild

Depends what you want certainly out of the rear shocks. - "best" or "original looking":-

. "best" today are Fournales air-oil, not even Ikon (Koni as was) coil-over shocks. can match the adjustability and comfort;

. however, if your aren't going to use your T140 for long-distance touring, even one-up, Fournales are spendy; "best original looking" are Ikons, followed by Hagons and NJB's; my T150 has Hagons, but I don't use my T150 for long-distance touring;

. snag with Wassell "Girlings" is Wassell's long-time crap rep. - do you spend a lot of money on something that might turn out to match their rep.?

Hth?

Regards,

 

So modern girlings are made by wassell then , i am not hearing anyone saying that they are lots better than the ones produced 50 years ago so i will go for Hagons ( only about 30 quid more ) I wouldnt consider very expensive shocks , its not a high power racing bike and i wont be doing lots of miles , Thanks all

 

I put Hagons on my T140v as well. They look good and work well. Got mine from Dave Quinn In the US but he closed the business several ears ago. He was a helpful and experienced fellow. He and Jeff Moore supported my vintage Triumphs for over 40 years.

I save all original original parts just in case I happen to one day sell it to someone like an acquaintance of mine who often served as judge at local BritBike shows. He could subtly embarrass just about anyone ...."that's not the original bolt......"

 

Hagons, hagons, hagons, hagons, hagons - every time.

They used to be Girling copies (they bought the Girling factory tooling, but not the name), but 10-15 years ago Hagons took a huge leap in quality.

They are in Hainault and last time I was there they still had Alf’s 200mph supercharged J.A.P engined sprinter in the reception. (It is worth a visit just to see the J.A.P).

I found them helpful and friendly

regards
Peg

 

Hagons, hagons, hagons, hagons, hagons - every time.

They used to be Girling copies (they bought the Girling factory tooling, but not the name), but 10-15 years ago Hagons took a huge leap in quality.

They are in Hainault and last time I was there they still had Alf’s 200mph supercharged J.A.P engined sprinter in the reception. (It is worth a visit just to see the J.A.P).

I found them helpful and friendly

regards
Peg

Hagon shocks are good, I have them in my T140. I have been to their factory / shop a few times, they are very helpful. I also have Hagon stainless rims & spokes on my T140 wheels, and they look as good now as they did when they were built, maybe 25 years ago if not longer. And one time they did a while-I-waited repair on my Scrambler's back wheel after a spoke broke.

But I always get lost over that side of London, whether I go on the M25 or the North Circulaar. One time, I ended up by North Weald / Harlow trying to get on the M25, and the last time driving around Loughton trying to make sense of the sat-nav instructions. Only place I recognised is a big white pub on a crossroads, once I got there, I knew I wasnt far off.

 

I have Hagons on my TR6…. Very happy with them.

and with Pegs approval, why would you go anywhere else..?

 

Hi Loz, I fitted Hagon 2810s to my 72 Bonneville rebuild. They are a bit primitive if you have been used to modern super bike suspension but more than capable of the job they are being asked to do. My bike will never see a track or be used off road so I can't comment on how they are when really pushed. If you deal directly with Hagon they are really helpful and will aim to supply you with a spring to suit your bike and weight so you can achieve your desired SAG. For me at lest then this is position 2 of 3 on the preload. If I was been hyper critical I would say the compression/rebound is a bit woolly I can't feel any difference to single clicks but I have a setting that I happy with so happy days!.

 

My Emgo units seem fine.

 

Do the likes of Ohlins do anything for classics or would you have to find a pair that matched length wise then revalve to suit?

 

Ohlins are wonderful, they do twin shocks, but are expensive and maybe overkill on a vintage Triumph. The limiting factors with Triumphs is the amount of flex around the swing arm mounts and the swing arm flex itself. Also the shock top mounts are on quite a weak flexible subframe. IOF is better than dry frame, but it is still quite significant on OIF.
Bracing the swing arm lower mounts, swing arm and triangulation of the top mount can work wonders for road (dirt likes a little flex), making the Triumph frame feel really planted on the road, a bit like a featherbed or Rickman.

The valving is true to setup only when upright, the more you lean the less impact the suspension (springs/valveing) has on handling, and the greater the swing arm/frame geometry stiffness has, as you load more sideways than down.
Twinshocks tend to fight each other through a flexing frame, so mono shock should have the edge with it's single mounting point.

I am a fan of two stage suspension porting especially with the amount of potholes now, anything to reduce shocks transmitting through the spine is a winner.

I went with Maxton suspension on number one bike, which is truly wonderful, but still does not make me an IOM winner, but I can daydream

Regards
Peg.

 

This makes me think of when I had a laugh on a friend who was (trying to) hop up his vintage VW beetle.
I think my Hagons are better than the originals, pr so memory serves, and vintage Triumphs are dignified and adequate as they are.

 

I will need some new shocks ... Girlings or Hagons?

YES.