Monroe Car Shocks for a Wing?

[jstanley53]

I've been pouring through the forums and I can't seem to find anyone asking this question: has anyone tried putting car shocks on a bike? I'm looking specifically at the Monroe 58575 (sensa-trac load adjusting)--it's a spring over shock designed for light trucks. It has a comparable extended length and the mounting eyes are close (but may need trimming/shimming). I am a cheap **** and don't want to lay out $300 plus for a new set of progressives--this is my daily driver, I don't need a pimp, plush ride, I just need stability and control...and under-budget. Any comments/suggestions/experiences with this?

Thanks to all.
Jason

[kbgl1200]

I had not heard of this but since you have the part number for the shocks and I need to replace my rears, I might just jive it a shot to see how it works. Do you know if they will work with the air ride suspension or not? I will try to find more information about this as well.

[jstanley53]

SO far, what I know: not air shocks--only mechanical/hydraulic (like a regular shock). Amazon has this model for $72 per, so much cheaper than other parts. The specs for this particular shock are: 14.5" extended, 9.375" compressed; the ends are 1/2" x 1 3/8". I tried to measure my stock shock yesterday but couldn't find the tape measure...go figure...Bottom line: it's close.

Here are my concerns with this plan:
1--Too much spring tension in this shock. It is a light truck shock, designed for variable loads--empty to heavy. As such, I imagine it could adapt to the light duty use on the bike (although my near 300 pounds is no light duty for my sled...). I fear that every bump in the road will be transmitted to my spine.

2--Too much spring--will it keep the back tire down like its supposed to? Too springy, hit a bump, lose rear wheel traction.

3--Will modifying the mounts to fit the bike so drastically affect the lifespan of the units?

Advantages: cost. Simpler (no air).

Anyone have any other thoughts or inputs out there?

Thanks.

Keep the rubber side down.
Jason

[jstanley53]

Well, I finally got it done. It's...curious.

I now have the equivalent of a low rider. With my fat arse on the sled, it really flattens the shocks out--suprising to me actually--and gives a very, very hard ride, not unlike back in the Sportster days...although I'm much older now, it's a little rough on the kidneys.

Lessons learned:

1. It's a mutha to get the bushings out of a shock. I had to buy a gear puller to finally do it--long, painful and pain in the butt process.
2. You have to cut the bottom shock mount to get it into the mounts on the swingarm. Fortunately I bought an angle grinder recently and that made easy work of it.
3. The sleeves for the mounting bolts are much wider on the bike than the holes on the shocks. I had to drill our my rubber bushings (using a 5/8" speed-hole bit) to make them fit--even then, it was a fight to get it all together.
4. $72 plus free shipping from Amazon for a pair of shocks. Plus some labor in the garage to make them fit.

How long will it last and how well will it perform? Dunno. The bike is markedly lower now--to the tune of 4". Thinking about it (with that perfect hindsight), a car/truck is going to have leaf springs that will hold it up and be damped by the shocks. I thought I'd get more out of these shocks with the springs over the shocks than I do. We'll see how it works out. Upside is when I put my wife on it to check tire/fender clearance, she was able to put her feet flat on the ground....

I'll post a ride report in a few days. For now, my back is still a little startled form the rigid ride....

Keep the rubber side down...
Jason

[RoadRogue]

Sorry I didnt see your original post earlier. You can get replacement Progressive Suspension springs for the rear shocks on Amazon for about $50. Seals and oil would have cost maybe another $40. A couple of hrs. to do the work and you are set with rebuilt stock shocks (no mods needed to install,proper ride height ) and superior springs than stock. You might still want to do this. with the rear sitting so low you are increasing the angle of your drive line(harder on the u-joints) ,and you are changing the geometry of the front suspension as well. more rake to the forks,makes the forks bind more when hitting small bumps.You have also decreased the amount of ground clearance for cornering. If it were me I would reinstall the original air shocks with the rebuild. hope this helps even if a bit late.
Ride safe,Todd

[pwtuten]

Sorry I didnt see your original post earlier. You can get replacement Progressive Suspension springs for the rear shocks on Amazon for about $50. Seals and oil would have cost maybe another $40. A couple of hrs. to do the work and you are set with rebuilt stock shocks (no mods needed to install,proper ride height ) and superior springs than stock. You might still want to do this. with the rear sitting so low you are increasing the angle of your drive line(harder on the u-joints) ,and you are changing the geometry of the front suspension as well. more rake to the forks,makes the forks bind more when hitting small bumps.You have also decreased the amount of ground clearance for cornering. If it were me I would reinstall the original air shocks with the rebuild. hope this helps even if a bit late.
Ride safe,Todd

Would you be willing to provide any links or search terms for Amazon? My rear shocks sag after pumping them up I have checked all my air lines and did not find any leaks in the air lines so I figure it is the rear shocks letting the air out.
Thanks in advance.

[RoadRogue]

here is a link to amazon with the standard rate Progressive Suspension springs

http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspe ... &carId=001

You can also get a Heavy duty version from Part #03-1364B/C
Seals can be ordered from your favorite bike parts supplier, Bike Bandit,CycleMax etc.

Here is a link to Progressive Suspension
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/&t ... ingdocs-20

[pwtuten]

here is a link to amazon with the standard rate Progressive Suspension springs

http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspe ... &carId=001

You can also get a Heavy duty version from Part #03-1364B/C
Seals can be ordered from your favorite bike parts supplier, Bike Bandit,CycleMax etc.

Here is a link to Progressive Suspension
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/&t ... ingdocs-20

Thanks! Great help!

[ariwing]

i must correct the last info.
Progrssive springs # 03-1364b/c or #03-1365b/c are for gas filled dampers [ non air].This set is 1 coil per shock.
The springs for original gl1200 rear air shocks are progressive # 00-1172 .This set is 2 coils per shock.