Motorcycle Shocks - Why NOT?!?! - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

billj · 02-18-2004, 05:59 AM

I´m posting this in the noob forum, so you fawkers won´t be able to flame me...............

OK, so why COULDN´T motorcycle shocks be used on a crawler?!?

Capacity??
Shock absorbing characteristics??
Mounting??
Other??

I´m thinking that any one of these problems could be overcome with a little work and could result in a decent coilover or even Fox Shox substitute for a fraction of the cost. All being equal, I plan to go with the Fax Shox, but I´m just curious if anyone has tried bike shocks........

Remember fawkers, no flaming here in the noob forum........

indysand · 02-18-2004, 06:08 AM

Not valved for the weight, not enough travel.

45acp · 02-18-2004, 06:12 AM

not valved for the weight, not enough travel x10.

billj · 02-18-2004, 06:13 AM

I´m thinking that valving could be modified. Length I don´t know for sure, but I recall seeing some pretty long motocross bike shocks.........

Just a wild ass thought anyways.........

Lloyd · 02-18-2004, 07:35 AM

I've got a junked KTM in the yard with 14" travel in the front forks, but the spring rate and valving is very light - this thing only weighs ~200#. Maybe if you put four or more on each corner it'd catch on with the show-truck crowd.

dane · 02-19-2004, 07:35 PM

There is definitely not enough spring rate in the motorcycle suspensions regardless of valving. Also there isnt a way to get enough travel out of the rear shock to use for anything worthwhile. If you get in to the high end stuff that might be able to work you are spending waaaaaayyyyyyy too much money.

Dane

psychobilly · 02-20-2004, 09:08 PM

valving really aint an issue, they can be valved and sprung to be perfect for buggy applications the problem is the shocks no matter how long still only have 3-4 maybe 5 inches of travel. The bike gets its travel cuz of the swingarm and linkage. So if your fine with a 4 inch travel shock build away, if your thinking of using the front forks that is just plain silly.

02-18-2004, 05:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
billj Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11372 Location: Ribeirão Pires, Brasil Posts: 1,789	Motorcycle Shocks - Why NOT?!?! I´m posting this in the noob forum, so you fawkers won´t be able to flame me............... OK, so why COULDN´T motorcycle shocks be used on a crawler?!? Capacity?? Shock absorbing characteristics?? Mounting?? Other?? I´m thinking that any one of these problems could be overcome with a little work and could result in a decent coilover or even Fox Shox substitute for a fraction of the cost. All being equal, I plan to go with the Fax Shox, but I´m just curious if anyone has tried bike shocks........ Remember fawkers, no flaming here in the noob forum........ __________________ Bill Subi powered Beetle Buggy

02-18-2004, 06:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
45acp says "yall" alot Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13671 Location: north of Caddo parish Posts: 3,248	not valved for the weight, not enough travel x10. __________________ Hey kid, are you going my way? Hop in... we'll have ourselves a field day

02-18-2004, 06:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
billj Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11372 Location: Ribeirão Pires, Brasil Posts: 1,789	I´m thinking that valving could be modified. Length I don´t know for sure, but I recall seeing some pretty long motocross bike shocks......... Just a wild ass thought anyways......... __________________ Bill Subi powered Beetle Buggy

02-19-2004, 07:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
dane THIS SPACE FOR RENT Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 21948 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 3,933	There is definitely not enough spring rate in the motorcycle suspensions regardless of valving. Also there isnt a way to get enough travel out of the rear shock to use for anything worthwhile. If you get in to the high end stuff that might be able to work you are spending waaaaaayyyyyyy too much money. Dane __________________ HOOLIGAN ROCK CREW SEE WHAT THE HYPE IS ALL ABOUT: http://www.facebook.com/hooliganrockcrew I WILL TRY BEING NICER IF YOU TRY BEING SMARTER. FU JS FU KS FU RTF FU FOTR FU DA FU RMK

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02-18-2004, 06:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
indysand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4382 Location: Alta Loma,CA Posts: 208	Not valved for the weight, not enough travel.

02-18-2004, 07:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lloyd * Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 538 Posts: 1,795	I've got a junked KTM in the yard with 14" travel in the front forks, but the spring rate and valving is very light - this thing only weighs ~200#. Maybe if you put four or more on each corner it'd catch on with the show-truck crowd.

02-20-2004, 09:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
psychobilly Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 21888 Location: pa Posts: 467	valving really aint an issue, they can be valved and sprung to be perfect for buggy applications the problem is the shocks no matter how long still only have 3-4 maybe 5 inches of travel. The bike gets its travel cuz of the swingarm and linkage. So if your fine with a 4 inch travel shock build away, if your thinking of using the front forks that is just plain silly.