Car shocks on a motorcycle

[shirazdrum]

What do you guys think of these? Do you think it's worth a try?

I need a set of shocks and springs and theses sound like they would fit and perform.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/bilstein-street-rod-13-inch-rear-coil-over-shock,33078.html

[gearheadE30]

Those springs will be wayyyy too stiff for a twin-shock motorcycle, and automotive damping curves are much different than those for a motorcycle. You would end up having a difficult time over bumps because cars run so much more compression damping.

[tkent02]

Chris' GS weighs about 1400 lbs, these shocks may be better than you would think, especially if there is a lot of adjustment.


I would give it a maybe, maybe not.

[hakim5857]

with side & top box full with tools & spare parts, Body weight X 2... maybe.., if single ride with no accessories - slip disc or kidney explode

[Steve]

If you click on the link, you will see that spring rates are available from 115 to 600, so he might find a decent spring rate.

As mentioned though, the damping for a car is going to be different, although his bike is approaching the same weight.

.

[Dogma]

Hmmm. It claims to be for the rear end of a street rod. That could be lighter than a lot of cars. Maybe as light as an overloaded GS. I'll side with Tom's "maybe, maybe not."

The 5/8" ID will need a sleeve of some kind to fit the studs on the GS. 13mm [0.511"], if I recall correctly. About 1.4mm [.05"] per side. I did something similar to help get Foxyblankworthy's new shocks onto his 650. We ended up using a chunk of copper tubing that had the right wall thickness. I had to slit it open with a Dremel to open up the ID. I haven't heard how the copper is doing in there. Surely better than the plastic sleeves MDI shocks ship with.

[ChicagoBob]

Maybe the stock bike springs will fit on those shocks, but that's a lot of money - $500 for the pair? You could do a lot better for the money with bike-specific shocks.

[Steel Toed Tank]

I could see it working.
My dad has an automotive tire on his Kawi Voyager and loves it.

How would dampering differ between a car and motor cycle?
I would imagine a shock rated to 400lbs and built for street use would perform the way it was intended regardless of its application.

I mean it's meant to smoothen out the ride of what ever it carries, within it's proper rating.



Tank

[Toasty]

It's not like it's some amazing deal, why not just get some $500 shocks designed for a motorcycle?

[akckhim]

A set of Hagons for about $180 seems a better choice.

[BigD_83]

It's not like it's some amazing deal, why not just get some $500 shocks designed for a motorcycle?

As mentioned before, the bike on which the shocks are being mounted weighs over 1400lbs fully loaded, and is being ridden all over the world on some of the worst roads you could imagine.

I think Shirazdrum's biggest concern is durability. It's not like he has easy access to parts during his journey, but I'd want to be able to rebuild a shock at that price point.

I'm with tkent and Dogma on this one: Maybe/Maybe Not.

[shirazdrum]

Well thanks guys. The price is not anything special but it is still cheaper than custom made shocks from Race-Tech or Works-Performance.

The bike is heavy, about 1200lb with all the gear and myself and occasional passenger so adjust-ability and durability is what i'm after. Of course it would be nice to buy from a company that has representatives all over the world where i can bitch at them in person if something goes wrong.

They seem to offer a lot of spring choices but if someone can clarify, are they talking about per side or total load?

So 400lb would be for only one shock or both?

I prefer to buy a bike shocks but for my application, there are not too many choices and when there are, the prices are way out of my range.

[shirazdrum]

Ok guys, I think we got a winner. I talked to Works Performance in california and they offered their shocks to me at half price (free if i could wait a little longer).

They are made from scratch. Valve and springs are based on the load and are adjustable from Monday through Friday. they have ARS (Adjustable Rate Suspension with a dial) and DRS (dual rate springs).

They run at $700 a pair but they are giving to me for $350 and I can't complain. they sound like a bunch of nice guys and i hear a lot of good things about them so cross your fingers.

Have any of you ever used these shocks? Any other suggestions?

[tkent02]

They run at $700 a pair but they are giving to me for $350 and I can't complain. they sound like a bunch of nice guys and i hear a lot of good things about them so cross your fingers.

I want in on this deal.

[shirazdrum]

For which bike do you want it for Tom?