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[PO51UHD]

Hi. My '59 Connie is now running ok so I'm starting to put a few miles on her clock. One issue is the stiffness of the rear suspension - feels like it's rigid! (but I've checked, and it's not). The shockers are set on the softest setting already. I dismantled one of the them, which looks nothing like the double-springed one in our Host's online parts book, more like a Super Meteor of the same year. They're fully enclosed, 290mm centre to centre and contain a spring as follows: 19cm (7.5") uncompressed length, 52mm (2") diameter, 18mm (3/4") pitch, 7.21mm (9/32") 'wire' diameter, fully chromed. Does anyone know if this is standard or some kind of special for sidecar use (I suspect the bike has pulled a chair at some stage). Also, is it possible to get softer springs or am I best starting again with new units? Thanks. Stephen

[Mark M]

Stephen, there's something not right there. Not knowing what make shocks you have doesn't help! There is a full table of Girling specifications at http://vintagebritishcables.com/documen ... ension.pdf which should tell you what you need to know. They have listed the Connie (and SM probably) under Meteor Minor but ignore that and go by the cc rating (692). I think your spring free length should be 8.4", pretty standard for the Twin models at that time. However, I have always found the Girling springs rather hard so if buying modern shocks (Hagons,) I get them to build them one strength lighter than their standard spec and that works well for me at 11.5 stone.
REgards, Mark