Topic: Custom rear suspension question

[Fabricator]

Howdy folks,

  I am trying to find out if anyone knows of a mono-shock suspension design where the rear shock is positioned horizontally under the bike...  I am planning a project, and I am trying to "clean-up" the appearence of the rear end, and hide the rear suspension (somewhat like a hardtail look, but with a spring).   I know that most of the current mono-shocks are mounted in a "rough" vertical arrangment, and the shock/dampener is compressed.  I am looking for something that is mounted horizontally, and is "pulled" during the dampening movements.  I swear I saw this somewhere, but I have been unable to locate any pictures of specs...

  You are wecome to suggest something else too, as this is just the planning/design phase.

Cheers,

Fabricator

[MCRider]

Howdy folks,

  I am trying to find out if anyone knows of a mono-shock suspension design where the rear shock is positioned horizontally under the bike...  I am planning a project, and I am trying to "clean-up" the appearence of the rear end, and hide the rear suspension (somewhat like a hardtail look, but with a spring).   I know that most of the current mono-shocks are mounted in a "rough" vertical arrangment, and the shock/dampener is compressed.  I am looking for something that is mounted horizontally, and is "pulled" during the dampening movements.  I swear I saw this somewhere, but I have been unable to locate any pictures of specs...

  You are wecome to suggest something else too, as this is just the planning/design phase.

Cheers,

Fabricator

I think the Buell's were that way.

[FunJimmy]

Buell has used this concept of mass centralization since the early '90s.
The shock is slung under the engine and has a pull shock.

[Brown Bomber]

Buell did that on the S2 Thunderbolt, but I don't think it cleaned up the looks any, more like it put the shock out for everyone to see.

[Tintop]

the original Harley Softtail was done with the shock under the frame.  Think that was before Buell started doing it.

[Fabricator]

Thanks fellas!  I am not completley sold on this approach, but I needed to know what bikes they came on so I could find one, and do some more design work.  
 
On edit:  I see that the Buell had one shock, but based on the ebay sales, it seems that the HD had a pair of them mounted under the frame.  Is this so??

Fabricator

[traveler]

Please keep in mind that Harley Softails do NOT ride as well as harleys with conventional twin shocks.  May look cool....but the shocks do NOT work as well.

So....if you're going for a certain "look", GREAT....but if it is for a performance increase, I'd suggest staying with the stock twin shock arrangement, or a custom mono shock/alu. swingarm setup.

~Joe

[Fabricator]

 Travler,

  In this case, I am after the dreaded "look".  As I mentioned before, I am not certain that this is the route I'll go, but this project is hopefully going to be safe and look good, but admittedly, the OEM arrangment would ride better!  Since I have a nice stock (airbox equipped  ) 750 that I will keep that way; this project is an excuse to cut up a worthless pile of free SOHC 4 parts that are rusting out behind the shop.  I have always wanted to make a "semi-pracical" bobber/chop, but really want at least some form of dampening besides seat springs.  I really like the "hard-tail" simplicity, and I am beginning to think that it is a hard look to fake... That being said, I am open to suggestions for anything that looks clean with a solo seat, and tire-hugging rear fender.  I'd certainly consider an arrangment closer to stock if i could make it look clean. 

Fabricator

[DucBoy]

This guy installed his shocks under the seat.  I guess you could use a single shock if it can handle the weight load...

[shaunzo]

here's my idea...i am installing a single/side-mounted shock swingarm from a 2008 kawasaki er6n.  i think its gonna pretty damn cool. 

[FunJimmy]

This guy installed his shocks under the seat.  I guess you could use a single shock if it can handle the weight load...

That's Godfrey's bike and it's a contender for BOTY.

Don't forget to vote.