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Commuting is the best part of my day!
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Post by trailheadmike on Nov 12, 2013 15:27:28 GMT -5
I have mentioned before that my rear shocks are so poor that I'm bottomed out as soon as I sit down on the seat. I was thinking that maybe I could swap them out (after 10,000 miles I should probably do it any way) with motorcycle shocks under the theory they'd be stiffer and adjustable. To save some money I look at used shocks on ebay. They have some of the proper size on there today from an old Honda CB450. Would you guys buy used shocks?? You can also get Forza shocks in the right size on ebay for about $80. Anyone try motorcycle shocks on their scoot? Thanks in advance.
-Mike
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Post by skuttadawg on Nov 12, 2013 20:18:38 GMT -5
If they fit they should work but may be stiffer . A buddy of mine has motorcycle shocks on his VW bug and it rides pretty good .
My scooter dealer had some shocks custom made based on his height and weight for 300 which is not bad since I have seen some NCY shocks for that much . If you can get gas type they ride better than the oil filled shocks .
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 12, 2013 23:43:20 GMT -5
Wow, shocks on these vary a LOT!
The Forza shocks sound like a good idea. The old Honda 450 shocks should be good too, so long as they're not badly worn out (and they seem to last nearly forever...). My old Xingyue 150 shocks were non-adjustable typical Chinese factory stuff. They were just about perfect for me (I weigh 235). They compressed VERY little when I sat on the scoot, and gave just a little more with a passenger.
Now, my used Kymco Grand Vista has adjustable shocks, set at their softest setting. And they're STILL "rock-hard". I really don't mind the somewhat harsh ride, and they'll be fine if I ever take a trip with a 200 lb passenger and 100 lbs of stuff strapped on the back... LOL! Seriously though, they DO give on washboard surfaces, and seem to do a marvelous job of keeping the rear wheel planted on the ground, so they must be pretty well engineered.
So long as they are the right length, and bolt up to your scoot, I'd think shocks (even used) from any major-brand scooter or motorcycle in the 300-500 pound range should work pretty well for you.
One other thing you might try are rubber wedges placed between spring-coils. These were often used "back in my day" to maintain ride-height and stiffen suspension on old cars with overly-soft springs. I'm betting they are STILL sold through J. C. Whitney... Worth a try!
Leo in Texas
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Sophomore Rider
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Commuting is the best part of my day!
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Post by trailheadmike on Nov 13, 2013 16:31:31 GMT -5
I always enjoy your responses Leo because you always have a good tale of times when you built with your wits. I'm going to try the Forza's. At $80 delivered I guess I can't go too wrong. The eye to eye measurement on the shocks is slightly over 12" which puts them as 310mm. www.ebay.com/itm/161009880695?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649Always learning something new in this hobby, like the fact that the bracket end of the shock is called a Clevis. I wonder who Clevis was! I'll post impressions when I get and install them. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 14, 2013 1:23:26 GMT -5
I always enjoy your responses Leo because you always have a good tale of times when you built with your wits. I'm going to try the Forza's. At $80 delivered I guess I can't go too wrong. The eye to eye measurement on the shocks is slightly over 12" which puts them as 310mm. www.ebay.com/itm/161009880695?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649Always learning something new in this hobby, like the fact that the bracket end of the shock is called a Clevis. I wonder who Clevis was! I'll post impressions when I get and install them.
Way to go! Of all your options, the Forza shocks would be my choice too. Although I can't fault the rubber "wedgies"... LOL! They did wonders for my 1950 Chevy, and a 1958 Harley... Of course, they look like crap... But aren't THAT noticeable. I guess the bottom-mount on the shock actually IS a clevis... Never thought about that. I just called it "the thing with the mounting hole, on the bottom of the shock..." I've never been the technical type... Hope it works out well for you!Sincerely, Leo PS: Back in my day, our wits were all we had. No money, and even if we HAD money, you couldn't buy neat stuff... It was the stone-age of things mechanical and electronic. Just making a 35-mile trip one way, without having to be towed home was an adventure! |
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Post by rockynv on Nov 14, 2013 6:06:16 GMT -5
Sounds more like you spring preload is set too light. Are the adjusters on those cams or threaded? Either way they are harder to set without marking things up if you did not have the matching spanner designed to engage the preload collars to set them. Sounds like you really need to tighten them up
Be mindfull that most motorcycle shock will have springs way to stiff for many scooters since they support an engine mounted on the frame of the bike while on a scooter the engine is part of the swingarm and unsprung weight which also requires shocks with different valving and rebound than a typical motorcycle shock.
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Post by petrol42 on Dec 4, 2013 18:26:48 GMT -5
Most motorcycle shocks won't work on a scooter since motorcycle shocks usually have an "Eye" on both ends of the shock where our scooters use an "Eye" on one side and a "U" on the other.
Unless you could find a "U to Eye" adapter, then a motorcycle shock won't work.
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