Adjustable coilover shocks... need some education

[BMB Guns]

So. I want to use adjustable coilover shocks on the giant leading link front end I'm building. I found some for a VW on Amazon. I would like some adjustable for length and ride. My diesel trike is going to be a monster so automotive shocks would be a better choice than motorcycle shocks I think. Any input on brand, features, etc would be appreciated.

[peteg59]

I'm running this type of shock on the rear of my VW powered trike & they are extremely stiff. They do handle extra weight well & so I accept a harder ride as a trade-off.
They are also definitely stiffer than a standard coil spring MC shock, air assist type shocks not included.
As far as how they'd work on a LL front, not sure but they will handle more weight than a MC shock.
They are a bit longer than a regular MC shock, so that would have to be factored in on your build.
I'd try them if I were doing what you're doing. Look around on craigslist for a used set to play with during the fab process...

[BMB Guns]

I'll be around 1,200 pounds with just my engine and transmission. I figure I can make attachment points to run both side by side. If it's to stiff I can go down to just one shock. Adjusting the air pressure in my front tire will go a long way for a good ride to I suspect.

I appreciate your input. I figured someone must be running these on a trike. Hard to beat the price too.

[stacebg]

I'll be around 1,200 pounds with just my engine and transmission. I figure I can make attachment points to run both side by side. If it's to stiff I can go down to just one shock. Adjusting the air pressure in my front tire will go a long way for a good ride to I suspect.

I appreciate your input. I figured someone must be running these on a trike. Hard to beat the price too.

i wouldnt count on running the tire much softer than recommended probably stiffen the steering some an if too soft tire might over heat some

if you put several mounting holes on the swing arm you can, for all practical purposes change the spring rate....also if you make the upper mount slide you can adjust the height... generally i find the swing arm pivot should be about an inch below the axle.. also if you have a couple different holes in the arm for the pivot you can easily change the trail

[irmagoo]

I'll be around 1,200 pounds with just my engine and transmission. I figure I can make attachment points to run both side by side. If it's to stiff I can go down to just one shock. Adjusting the air pressure in my front tire will go a long way for a good ride to I suspect.

I appreciate your input. I figured someone must be running these on a trike. Hard to beat the price too.

hi BMB
my trike is close to 1200 lbs. and around 500 lbs. on front wheel,,, the next thing that's important in this is what angle will shocks be at? in my case my shocks will/are at same angle as tubes 38 degree. so next what height will shock be installed at in my case 12".
at 38 degree I will need a spring on each shock that is 125-175 lbs " what I have on there now will be way to heavy they are new takeoff's from 2002 ultra I will be buying adjustable coil over shock with at least 6" travel and 175 per inch springs...
you can figure your spring rate on shocks you have by using a bathroom scale and push it down 1 inch if it reads 300 lbs spring is 300 per inch that's straight up and down so at my shock angle(38 degree) it .61 or so 175 divided by .61 is 287 x 2 is 574 lbs. its in the ball park for sure... the math may not be exact as can't find my calculator
speedway motors has shocks, springs and spring rate charts so you can get the info first hand ... so if you install your shocks that you have and front end does not compress (mine doesn't 1/4"maybe) you have tooo heavy a spring on shock!!
good luck with your trike
mike

[Loner]

To throw in an additional factor when calculating shock effectivity (applied spring rate), in addition to factoring the shock angle (discussed above) you also need to factor in the distance of the shock mounting point distance from the forks lower pivot point and its distance from the front axle. As above, these numbers will yield a percentage value to be added to the spring rate calculations.

[diver]

mr magoo, ive got 650 lbs on my front wheel. The harley shocks are working but i think i need to cut and move move the for tubes back toward the back so i can get wheel to shock better. some bumps shock my shoulders as the swing arm pivot and axle are to close .( i think)

[BMB Guns]

Thand for the advice gents! The coil over VW shocks came in today. I'll play with them and see how they work. I'm fabricating the entire front end so if something doesn't jive I'll just cut it off and weld on something else!

[drumdoctor]

So. I want to use adjustable coilover shocks on the giant leading link front end I'm building. I found some for a VW on Amazon. I would like some adjustable for length and ride. My diesel trike is going to be a monster so automotive shocks would be a better choice than motorcycle shocks I think. Any input on brand, features, etc would be appreciated.

I had Triker Troy make me a giant leading link front end with these exact shocks.
It was extra wide and really heavy.

The trike was held up by jack stands.
When we lowered the trike to the ground, those shocks collapsed all the way down.
A friend found great coil over shocks at Napa and they moved very little when the weight was put on them.

Those shocks work well for all trikes EXCEPT V8 trikes--because of all the weight that is on the front end.

Best of luck on your project!

[BMB Guns]

Well that sucks!!!! I might have a set of these for sale...

[drumdoctor]

Well that sucks!!!! I might have a set of these for sale...

I know exactly what you mean---Mine are for sale also.

Be prepared for a shock---the bigger coil-overs are VERY expensive.

That is why I modified my forks and put AIR SUSPENSION on them.

The ride is wonderful!

Have a great weekend!

Mike

[diver]

I had Triker Troy make me a giant leading link front end with these exact shocks.
It was extra wide and really heavy.

The trike was held up by jack stands.
When we lowered the trike to the ground, those shocks collapsed all the way down.
A friend found great coil over shocks at Napa and they moved very little when the weight was put on them.

Those shocks work well for all trikes EXCEPT V8 trikes--because of all the weight that is on the front end.

Best of luck on your project!

Monster leading link. The man is missed. I use to live in chiefland fl and had the pleasure spending some time with ol troy. my leading link was a part copy of Troys design and Mr magoo

[BMB Guns]

I know exactly what you mean---Mine are for sale also.

Be prepared for a shock---the bigger coil-overs are VERY expensive.

That is why I modified my forks and put AIR SUSPENSION on them.

The ride is wonderful!

Have a great weekend!

Mike

Maybe I can buy yours off of you and run 4 shocks at the same time! You can never have too many chrome coilovers!

[peteg59]

Not to add confusion to the thread, but why not run 2 of the new vw type shocks you just got on each side, BMB G?
I've never seen a LL type front use 2 per side though?....

[BMB Guns]

Not to add confusion to the thread, but why not run 2 of the new vw type shocks you just got on each side, BMB G?
I've never seen a LL type front use 2 per side though?....

Well, it's not a normal LL. Go figure. But I built it myself so I can do what I want!!! Stacking up 4 shocks would look cool! Very Mad Max


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Where the coilover(s) will be attached.

[drumdoctor]

Monster leading link. The man is missed. I use to live in chiefland fl and had the pleasure spending some time with ol troy. my leading link was a part copy of Troys design and Mr magoo

I talked with Troy's welder a few days after Troy passed and we figured out that I have the last complete front end that Troy made.
It took us almost 2 months to design it and a few weeks for him to build it.

It was extra wide and extra heavy.

Troy called it a "Super Wide Glide"

It is for sale.

Because of the weight of the trike, we converted it to air suspension.

Ride 'Em Easy...

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Well, it's not a normal LL. Go figure. But I built it myself so I can do what I want!!! Stacking up 4 shocks would look cool! Very Mad Max


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Where the coilover(s) will be attached.

Your front end is a very close copy to an "Earls" front end.

A friend of mine has a VW trike with that front end on it and he loves it.

Just make sure your rake and trail geometry is correct.

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Not to add confusion to the thread, but why not run 2 of the new vw type shocks you just got on each side, BMB G?
I've never seen a LL type front use 2 per side though?....

I have seen 2 trikes running 4 coil overs on the forks.

One was a V6 trike--the other a V8.

Those front ends were very attention getting...

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Maybe I can buy yours off of you and run 4 shocks at the same time! You can never have too many chrome coilovers!

Yes my coil-over shocks are for sale.

They were never used.

Let me know if you want them.

Mike--drumdoctor@live.com---407-953-5007

[BMB Guns]

Yeah Mike. I sent you an email. If you have the same shocks I'll buy them off of you. Running 4 shocks will look crazy!!!! It will fit perfectly with the rest of this beast.

[diver]

I put a pair of honda cb 90 rear shocks on the front and the went right to the rubber stops today on my trike. The honda shop said they were 175lb spring rate. I will double check the spring rate later today when the boss gets home. Have to use the bathroom scale lol. My harley air ride shocks are just a tad to much IMHO.

[stacebg]

not sure if you gain enough but if you move the lower shock mount away from the pivot you essentially make the spring rate higher... but it will shorten the travel

[diver]

not sure if you gain enough but if you move the lower shock mount away from the pivot you essentially make the spring rate higher... but it will shorten the travel

good info. I wish now i would of made a bracket with slots to adjust shocks. This shock setup is a big learning curve for me on trikes. Thought i had it to lol. But as my buddy in fl says if your going to be dumb u better be tough or rich and i am neither .