After reassembling my bike and riding it for about 3wks with just the hardtail struts the PO had put on her, I was getting used to the ride and I learned where all the major and minor potholes were on the ride back and forth to work.

This weekend, I finally put on some stock shocks that I picked up from another member here, and let me tell you that made a WORLD of difference in the ride  

My teeth don't rattle riding down the city streets, and the bike feels much more stable on the highway than it did with the struts. This is all with the shocks set on the stiffest setting while I only weigh about 180# with all my gear.

For anyone considering switching to hardtail struts, make sure you add a spring seat or something because otherwise you will be taking a beating.   I thought riding this bike was fun before, now I'm looking forward to taking some longer rides and even carrying a passenger.

bill67 wrote on 09/01/09 at 14:03:21:


Yep, but the Dumba$$ PO decided to take them off of mine and didn't swap them out for anything. I'm just glad there is such a great forum where you can find people who change these things and help you out. (Thanks Hi-Def)

Savage_Amusement wrote on 09/01/09 at 17:00:14:


Well, once I decide exactly what my plans are with this bike, I will probably be willing to sell the struts that were on this one when I got it. I don't think I will have much use for them now that I'm riding in what feels like the "Lap of Luxury." (Now I wonder what those progressives must feel like.)  

Here's a pic of the struts on the bike when I first bought it: