Hi all. I ended up mounting my Velorex 562 to a 1980 GS1100L. I took it out for a test ride yesterday and it did great, but it's pretty clear that the stock rear suspension isn't up to the job. I'm looking at upgrading to either Progressive or Hagon shocks. My question is, how do we settle on spring rate for sidecar use? I'm a bigger guy at 225 lbs, and I plan on keeping some ballast in the chair, say 1 60 lb sandbag and sometimes my 30 lb kiddo (once I'm comfortable driving this thing). The bike weighs 550 lb per Suzuki.
Edit: The pic is from when I was putting this thing together. A few things have changed/been finished since then. I was just antsy to get a pic of it.
Looks good Wolfe. If you haven't already you might consider flipping the upper struts end for end so the threaded portion with the locknut is facing down. Just something recommended to help keep water and corrosion out.
If you are looking to actually buy new shocks, then pay a little more and get some HyperPros from EPM Performance, who is a USCA supporter and advertises here on the forum. What you get with EPM is an interrogation from the owner Klaus. Once you get him the answers he needs he will custom design the rear shock and the sidecar shock and it will be exactly what you need. Klaus is some kind of rain man when it comes to figuring out sidecar suspensions. Can't go wrong. I love the HyperPros Klaus made for my R1200GSA rig.
By the way, one of the things you'll need to do is load up the rig with a typical load for how you plan to use it then weigh the weight at each wheel. You can do that at a truck scale if you have a friendly one near you, or you can get a 550-lb scale from Amazon for $32 (the EatSmart Precision 550).
Have owned 5 rigs but Rig #2 is my current one!
DRONE - 4/19/2018 12:50 AM
If you are looking to actually buy new shocks, then pay a little more and get some HyperPros from EPM Performance, who is a USCA supporter and advertises here on the forum. What you get with EPM is an interrogation from the owner Klaus. Once you get him the answers he needs he will custom design the rear shock and the sidecar shock and it will be exactly what you need. Klaus is some kind of rain man when it comes to figuring out sidecar suspensions. Can't go wrong. I love the HyperPros Klaus made for my R1200GSA rig.
By the way, one of the things you'll need to do is load up the rig with a typical load for how you plan to use it then weigh the weight at each wheel. You can do that at a truck scale if you have a friendly one near you, or you can get a 550-lb scale from Amazon for $32 (the EatSmart Precision 550).
Thanks for the advice! I'll check them out.
Valkrider - 4/18/2018 11:17 PM
Looks good Wolfe. If you haven't already you might consider flipping the upper struts end for end so the threaded portion with the locknut is facing down. Just something recommended to help keep water and corrosion out.
How clever! I hadn't thought of that. I'll take a look at doing it.
Wasn't clever on my part. I originally had mine mounted like yours and someone pointed that out to me. Just passing it on.
Do you have the 15mm axle on the Velorex? I'd seriously think about upgrading that if you do. I had trouble with mine on an 1100 Shadow, got to be about the same specs.
Jeff_Online - 4/19/2018 12:19 PM
Do you have the 15mm axle on the Velorex? I'd seriously think about upgrading that if you do. I had trouble with mine on an 1100 Shadow, got to be about the same specs.
It's a 2007 Velorex, so it should be the 20mm axle, I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.
That sounds right. I went overboard, mine's getting a 35mm axle, but pretty sure everything newer than at least 2005 has the 20mm. 🙂
