GUERRILLA 452

[Propellor]

Hi Martin.

I've clocked something like 3500 miles.

Yes the forks are clearly branded up as Showa. I'd read the suspension as a set is all showa. I asked Google AI if the shock also is and it said yes. Possibly showa had design input with internals. I dunno 🤷.

I'm convinced on your shock the tangs are welded out of position such that they started out with some amount of splay on the tangs. Possibly the normal forces going into it splayed it more over time 🤷. Possibly mine is the same. Won't know until next week.

Have fun 😁👍

[themoudie]

Aye Martin,

Having read what you said about the misalignment happening when you were adjusting the preload would lead me to think along the lines Propellor suggests, poor materials, with poor assembly and a lack of quality control, equaling a naff shock absorber. I think that I would still ask for a Hagon replacement as the OME is unfit for purpose. 

However, RE are not alone in naff production techniques, the 1975 Ducati 350 MKIII engine that I am resurecting at present came from the Mototrans factory in Spain. The barrel muff having been bored squint by 0.007", so the piston siezed after 1,400 miles. I have also found that the timing case bush/casting hole supporting the end of the crankshaft is 0.010" squint, so that the alloy casting was being smeared away. Apparently, some were bored so badly that the bottom of the cast in oil feed tube to the camshaft, at the back of this bush didn't even get opened during boring, so no oil was pumped to the top end of the engine!  And these engines were fitted into bikes and sold, only to come back to Coburn & Hughes, the concessionaires, in very short order! 

I hope that you are able to have a satisfactory outcome, in a short time and continue to enjoy the wee beastie.

Good health, Bill

[Propellor]

Hi Bill. Hope you're well and still putting the miles in.

This issue isn't great I have to say. If I'm on the right lines then it's the equivalent of a rookie error. But that aside I'm perfect happy with the suspension set up on the guerilla. Very, very good. All the royal enfields I've had have had good suspension set ups for the job in hand. Shame they've let themselves down in this particular area.

All the best. 👍

[xbally]

Good morning gents....
As Andrew says all the modern Enfields I've had have been ok in the suspension department. I had a new 650 twin in 2019 which I've still got and put 7000 miles on. Some moan the suspension set up on that is basic but they seems to forget so is the price!
There are various upgrades for the 650 but as I no longer ride hard I have no complaints although I've got some Norman Hyde progressive fork springs to fit when I change the oil. There's a very slight weave from the rear if you up the anti too much but my Kawasaki ZRX1200 was much the same as were most UJMs of the 70's. Things didn't really change until the advent of the GS 750 and Z650 as far as the Japs were concerned.
Of course the British Italian and German bikes of the same era were quite a bit better in terms of handling.
Bill I know the Spanish built Mototrans Dukes always had a reputation for their build quality.

[themoudie]

Good morning Prop' and Martin,

Thank you for your replies.

Yes, still putting the miles under the wheels and at present trying to suss out fitting a GY6 ignition system and 12v alternator to the Moto Morini 125H! Electrickery at its best!  And I haven't a clue. 

I have in the past had a problem with a Hagon shock damper rod detaching itself from the eye at the top of the damper after 18 months! Warranty 12 months. That made for interesting handling with the Duke. However, my riding speeds/skills do not the exceed the performance of Hagon or NJB shocks. "Sally", Jim Murdoch's old SRX600, still has the pair of Konis that he fitted and they give a more controlled ride than the Hagons, but not as controlled as the Wilbers monoshock on the Monoshock SRX400/XT600E, which is really plush. Note that cost is increasing here all the time.

As for the Mototrans, I am going to persevere, with it, inspite of the current collapse of the used motorcycle market. It is a therapy that I am fortunate to be able to afford, rather than an "investment"!

Keep wearing them out and good health, Bill

[xbally]

Thanks Bill.
As you say the used motorbike market seems to be on its knees.
I considered myself very lucky to have sold my Crusader but attempts to sell my GPZ500 and RS 250 have been fruitless.I know someone who's tried to sell a very nice and improved Enfield 535i Continental GT with no success either.
I'm only trying to sell my 2 bikes as I would like a project for the forthcoming winter and I don't really have room for any more without some sort of exchange. Dealers won't even meet you halfway unless you're buying a new model . I was only able to part ex my 750 Monster as I was buying a new Guerrilla.
I tried earlier this year to part ex my Crusader or Monster for a used Harley and the local dealer didn't want to know. Just a couple of weeks ago I tried part exing my RS250 with another local dealer for one of a trio of air cooled 70s Yams of varying prices and was again offered half the value of my RS.
Like you Bill it's not about the money as I know for sure any new project will cost far more than the value of the 2 fully bikes I would be offering in a part ex deal.

[Moto63]

Afternoon chaps. Yes, as I’m sure you’ve gathered, I too am trying to sell the RS250 that I bought off Kevin. Simply so I can inject some cash into the project RS. Again, like you Martin, I’ve not had one enquiry about it. Plenty of “watchers” which I’m sure the vast majority of them have one to sell themselves so want to see if mine goes and for how much. Still, could be worse, at least I can still ride it if it fails to sell. Problem with that is the project RS will ultimately slow down until I get some more cash saved up.
Cheers, Michael

[xbally]

Yes Michael, I've had nearly 1500 views on my RS and watchers are hovering around the 30 mark.
The only enquiry I had about mine was from a chap with an X7 GT250 (possible p/ex) which was part restored and as he's spent many £s on paint and chrome etc we were miles apart in values so in the interests of marital harmony I had to say I couldn't find the shortfall. I did suggest I could find a part of the cash shortfall and suggested him selling the re-chromed pipes etc but understandably he didn't want to mess around.
Other than that I've had nothing whatsoever.....
Oh well, at least we've got our upgraded PC back now so I can see what I'm doing on a full size screen.
I'm content to keep my RS or GPZ but as I said earlier feel the need for a project over the coming months when riding opportunities will be severely curtailed..........
I may end up if I can't find a buyer or do a part ex keeping all my existing bikes and buying a total minger for a very low initial outlay  but then (like you found with your RS ) finding everything is knackered and you are down the road of open ended spending to put it all right....!

[Propellor]

Just discovered there are 2 Showa companies in India.

Showa India Private Ltd, a subsidiary of showa corp and..
Munjal Showa Ltd, a joint venture between Hero group and Showa corp.

[Propellor]

Munjal Showa supplies Royal enfield with shock absorbers and "other suspension components"

[xbally]

It could be a similar tie up with Brembo then and their Indian operation ; Bybre?

[Propellor]

It could be a similar tie up with Brembo then and their Indian operation ; Bybre?

I assume so Martin. I was just intrigued so consulted Google. I never really stopped to think how RE got their shocks until it became known on the new 450's that the forks were Showa branded. It's a changing world, that's for sure.

[themoudie]

Aye, what's in a name? That old smoke and mirrors again! Tread warily.

As for the 2nd hand market, I know of 3 Velo's locally and a KTM 390, converted to carburettor, along with another sorted RE 535, with carb and ignition upgrades, sitting forlorn. A chain drive Kawasaki 1000 LTD, rebored, new pistons, new bearings throughout, new chain and sprockets, new tyres, original finish throughout, but with a ding in the lower offside of the fuel tank and a number plate worth at least £500, not a sniff at £2,500! Even the gentlemen of the Farcebook group "Unloved and Worthless motorcycle club" are having trouble moving stuff on. Honda Blackbirds and VFR750's and 850's are available for sweeties and something like a clean, legal Kawasaki GPZ 350, £300 was the best offer received. Another member was gifted a Cagiva River, with 8,000 miles on the clock, been sitting a while, but it was a gift, to remove.  And part of a post from 13/8/2025, "A tidy speed triple that i swapped for a DRZ400 & a butchered GSX1100F for £425, I was going to strip the GSX to use the engine but it runs OK & has 9 months mot so I shall use it." Just goes to show what's out there.

I know that many of you have a loathing of Farcebook, but it's worth just being a fly on the wall, with this group, just to get an idea of what's what. You might also find something to take your fancy! 

Good health, Bill

[xbally]

I've just joined FB.

As I posted a while ago when I tried to join the RS250 Group last year I was blocked and couldn't get any sense out of them!

However I've just had a new mobile so my wife was able to get me on there this time.

As you said Bill it's interesting just observing what goes on there. I haven't done anything further except one of my old work colleague's who's a biker messaged me so I messaged him back .

I think I'll just sit back for the moment and see what (if anything) happens.

In the meantime I haven't yet heard back from QB regarding the replacement shock and shall chase them perhaps next week. I don't think for a minute RE will entertain anything but a replacement OE shock but if that too fails then I consider I would have a theoretical claim in law for a replacement part of satisfactory quality, ie not another OE item.

[Moto63]

Keep us updated on any developments Martin, and best of luck with it 🤞👍