Forum

[Davie Hall]

Well I have perservered with the standard shocks on my Electra x as long as I can, my back cannot take much more of the crashing and jarring. So what do the collective use/recommend, I want comfort before outright on rails handling. I await with baited breath
Cheers Dave

[Paul M H]

I've a set of Hagon shocks on my work bull there comfortable enough they seem to handle well and feel good even when two up that's over 22 stones between us. Originals used to bottom out even in small pot holes even with preloaded full on

[wilf]

That's interesting, my standard shocks are as hard as can be, even on the softest setting. Sometimes I think there's no movement in them at all.

[Paulk]

Wilf,

There's no such thing as softest setting. http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/pre ... rticle.php

Regards.

[wilf]

Well, there's another misconception I've been labouring with for the last half century. Thanks for putting me right. Very interesting article.
Has anyone tried Mr. Hs'less expensive dual rate rear springs?
Whilst on the subject, would using ATF in the front forks make make things a bit softer?

[Davie Hall]

It's the rear suspension I am having trouble with, I am away on my electra X now and when it's fully loaded with camping gear the ride quality improves. When it is unloaded I get Jarred about it on some roads it leaves me with a bad back.

[Paulk]

Davie, Principle applies front and rear. You require lower rated springs be that just the springs or new shockers with a lower rate spring - I don't know what the standard rate is.
Alfie, Thinner oil in the forks will lessen the damping effect, can't remember if Electra forks are damped both ways. No harm in trying eh!

[Mark M]

Davie, if you go for the Hagons you might want to specify a lower spring rate than standard. I am 11 stone (so middleweight,) and I've had Hagons on lots of bikes but always found the "standard" spring (presumably based on the original Girling specifications,) too hard for me so I always specify the next setting down. Apart from that I rate Hagons very highly, good quality and excellent service from a proper British company! Incidentally it you Google "Girling Spring Rates" you can find the original table of spring specifications as fitted which is useful for spring rates and lengths.
REgards, Mark

[Thack]

That article is spot on. The "pre-load" does nothing at all apart from setting the ride height. HOWEVER, it makes a mistake at the end: it says that because the air spring is just a progressive spring, it does nothing magical compared to a progressive steel spring. This is wrong, because when you adjust the "pre-load" on the steel spring, you aren't adjusting it on the air spring inside. If you increase the pre-load on the steel spring, you raise the ride height, which increases the volume of air inside, lowering its pressure. In other words, raising the ride height REDUCES the spring rate from the air, SOFTENING the ride slightly. As far as I know the contribution to the overall spring force from the air pressure inside the suspension units is pretty small, which is why you would probably never notice the difference. What really bugs me is when PROFESSIONAL road testers regularly repeat the mistake that increasing the pre-load "firms up" the suspension. They are talking drivel, and it makes me wonder just how perceptive these guys really are, as opposed to being b***sh**ters.

[Paulk]

Thack, It's not just the road testers, second and forth items down. http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/ac ... nsion-rear