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Shock Conversions
- Thread starter bikerdoc
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You'll probably get mixed reviews here, but many feel the original lever shocks are quite up to the task, as long as they're in good shape.
V
vagt6
Guest
Guest
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In general, the tube shocks may render a much harsher ride.
The guy who restored my MG had the tube conversion done, then reversed it to lever shocks because he didn't like the tube shocks.
The lever shocks work fine, especially when they're professionally rebuilt, correctly.
FWIW.
The guy who restored my MG had the tube conversion done, then reversed it to lever shocks because he didn't like the tube shocks.
The lever shocks work fine, especially when they're professionally rebuilt, correctly.
FWIW.
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PAUL161 said:
Yep - see my post under Vendor/Product Review above - World Wide Import Auto Parts. That's Peter's company.
Scott_Hower
Luke Skywalker
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I'm going to be in the minority here.
I switched to fully adjustable Koni's several years ago. Takes a bit of tuning/adjusting to get them set up, but I love the ride.
I switched to fully adjustable Koni's several years ago. Takes a bit of tuning/adjusting to get them set up, but I love the ride.
aeronca65t
Great Pumpkin
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I think for a street car, the levers, at least in front, are the better choice. My brother considered doing the tube shock conversion on his Midget and I told him to stick to the normal levers in his car (which were in decent shape).
On the other hand, for a racer, the nitrogen filled tube shocks resist fade longer and run more consistently over long periods of abuse. My race car runs gas-filled tube shocks all around (with the levers in the front serving just as upper links). With the vintage race crowd, it's a mix of tube and lever shocks depending on personal preference. I'd say this is partly because the races tend to be shorter and run less aggressive tires so the lever shocks aren't over-taxed.
But for all-out SCCA production racing, I'd guess you rarely see a lever shock these days.
Bottom line: for street, lever shocks are fine.
For some racing applications, tube shocks may be better.
On the other hand, for a racer, the nitrogen filled tube shocks resist fade longer and run more consistently over long periods of abuse. My race car runs gas-filled tube shocks all around (with the levers in the front serving just as upper links). With the vintage race crowd, it's a mix of tube and lever shocks depending on personal preference. I'd say this is partly because the races tend to be shorter and run less aggressive tires so the lever shocks aren't over-taxed.
But for all-out SCCA production racing, I'd guess you rarely see a lever shock these days.
Bottom line: for street, lever shocks are fine.
For some racing applications, tube shocks may be better.
Nial, we've been working to overcome the breakdown of oil in the race applications, and have settled on Redline's Suspension fluids. We like their Heavyweight. It lasts through the enduros. The usual oil does seem to completely fade at about 20 minutes or so. It's all we use in the adjustables.
Peter C
Peter C
aeronca65t
Great Pumpkin
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Very good! I know there are plenty of lever shocks running in our eastern vintage crowd.....maybe the better oil (and adjustable valves) is the reason they seem to be doing well. Redline makes some great products.
One thing I should have added to the above. A poorly modified suspension with tube shocks would never be as good as a standard lever shock setup that's in decent shape. For the majority of owners, I always recommend staying with the lever shocks.
One thing I should have added to the above. A poorly modified suspension with tube shocks would never be as good as a standard lever shock setup that's in decent shape. For the majority of owners, I always recommend staying with the lever shocks.
billspohn
Jedi Knight
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The Armstrongs are up to competition (if you use modern oil in them) an the conversions are often poorly done, or utilize the old front shock as an upper A arm, adding weight and little else.
I grant you I do not run enduros, so can't advise on those, but running 30 minute sprint races offers no challenge for the lever shocks. Fuchs makes a good line of synthetic racing motorcycle fork oils but I haven't tried Peter's suggestion of Redline - sounds like a good idea as ther products are very good (as long as you don't use synthetic oil in your overdrive unit!)
I grant you I do not run enduros, so can't advise on those, but running 30 minute sprint races offers no challenge for the lever shocks. Fuchs makes a good line of synthetic racing motorcycle fork oils but I haven't tried Peter's suggestion of Redline - sounds like a good idea as ther products are very good (as long as you don't use synthetic oil in your overdrive unit!)