ride control/shock

[surfdude]

does anyone make a good reproduction front shock for a 45 solo?

[Chris Haynes]

does anyone make a good reproduction front shock for a 45 solo?

V-Twin has a reproduction.

[Paps]

Sure wish Monroe would run a batch of them again. Paps

[Ohio-Rider]

The V-Twins shock fits nicely also with out any massaging.

[pete reeves]

It’s possible that there may be more than one manufacturer of the Monroe type ride controls so my following statement may not apply to all of them?

You can often find reproduction ride controls at swap meets but the majority of these will have bent or broken brackets or they will have had a weld repair on the brackets.
A friend of mine bought one new from Vtwin and found that when he hit a bump in the road the shock was so stiff it prevented the suspension moving making the ride very jarring
The resistance (damping) which was very stiff was the same in both directions so when he hit a bump most of the shock was transmitted to the brackets bending them.
A genuine Monroe shock if it is working correctly will have little or no resistance when the fork is compressed but will have noticeably more resistance when the fork rebounds,

The Vtwin ride control my friend bought may have fited and looked the part but as a suspension damping device it was worse than useless.

Pete Reeves 860

[exeric]

Pete, that's the kind of information that is a real service. You would like to think that V-Twin would be aware of this and try to insure a better product in the future. Unfortunately, there is the real possibility that they will discontinue the product as a path of least resistance. Wouldn't it be great if V-Twin did what Paps suggested and contract with Monroe to make "real" ride control shocks. I would bet that a lot of people would buy one just to put on the shelf.

[Chris Haynes]

V-Twin is aware. They just don't care. Why bother. People keep buying them.

[exeric]

You're probably right Chris. It's odd that V-Twin would maintain this big aftermarket company to make parts that are a little bit crappier, and a little bit different than the original parts. . . . What the hell is the point. If you just want to make money, just make dog food or something.

[Rooster]

You can't ride dog food.

Well, .... er,.... uh,.... I suppose you could, but .... uh, sorry .. wrong forum!

[surfdude]

thanks, guys. thought i saw an ad on the web for a repro monroe, but was not from v-twin. i'll keep looking.

here's another question though - was the ride control (side plates, knob) used along with the shock or in place of the shock? was it one or the other or was it sometimes set up with both??

[Chris Haynes]

thanks, guys. thought i saw an ad on the web for a repro monroe, but was not from v-twin. i'll keep looking.

here's another question though - was the ride control (side plates, knob) used along with the shock or in place of the shock? was it one or the other or was it sometimes set up with both??

Either or, never together.

[surfdude]

thanks, chris

[Robert Luland]

About the only thing nice to come out of Taiwan Teddies Newburg vault is that it has discussed people to the point where you see entire underground mom and pop industry growing were only the very best will do. Mark Blankenship, Tom Farber, Hanks cycles to name some but the demand from the buyers is also there. I see a lot more of these dedicated people showing up for the party. So there is a bright side. Bob

[Steve Slocombe]

I make the VL ride control, which should also fit the Harley small twin 1930-39, although not identical to the original for the last year. I found the ride control costs nearly twice as much to make as the steering damper, just like Harley found in the 1930s. I'd fit the steering damper (and jiffy stand) before the ride control.

On the hydraulic damper, I looked for one for my 1950 WR and had the same experience that Pete Reeves described. Originals were worn out, repros were for display only, and I eventually bought a repaired one which at least has the correct asymmetric action.

[servi47car]

How is the ride without ride control or shock absorber on a solo? Is it necessary?