Shock absorber

I posted this on the Yahoo group earlier.

The original shock on the chair is pretty weak and bottoms out with my son on board. First I tried a cheap shock to trial fit (ebay - CN made). Looks pretty, but again bottoms out - needs a heavier spring.


Since we eventually want to do trips with the rig, I needed to find something with more adjustment. The baggers have been using airshocks forever. I ordered out a pair of Monroe shocks, replaced the bushings with modified urethane ones and made a new lower sleeve to match the 10mm bolt. The upper mount was not going to work with the larger eye on the shock. Having a machine shop, I designed and made an upper mount utilizing a 12mm hardened bolt and integral sleeve to attach to the original area on the frame.

The clearance with no air pressure allows ~1/2" of fender clearance. The chair can raise to ridiculous heights with pressure. We took it for a ride over Godde pass and through town this afternoon and my son is much more comfortable - no more bottoming. The rig felt more 'floaty' on right turns but no different on lefts. Acceleration and braking seem unchanged also. I'll report back when we have more miles.

Great idea.

Positive news!

What Monroe part number are those air shocks you used?

Greetings trikebldr,

The rig, after adding the sway bar, handles very well now. We've put over a thousand miles in canyons and freeways with great results. With the airshock alone, the rig was unsettling in right turns. I got the shock parts on Amazon:

Monroe MA785 Max-Air Air Shock Absorber
Gabriel 140656 Air Shock Hose Kit
Energy Suspension 9.8147G Shock Bushing Set

The Gabriel hose kit has a brass shrader valve instead of plastic in the Monroe kit.

Later, Martin

That shock bushing kit looks a lot like the bushing ends I used on my mounting struts. I've used these Pete & Jake's strut ends for decades to make up suspension struts and engine mounts. They are just indestructible.

Martin,
I ordered the parts you listed to do the air-shock setup you did. Thanks for the info.
Now, to see about doing a sway-bar setup, too! Thanks!