Trials Australia Forums

The TY250 that I recently bought has a pair of Trikshoxs fitted to it.

They appear to be trials shocks as they are certainly soft but I have not given them a good workout yet.

When I looked at them I thought they were just cheapies but in the OS bike mags (Classic Dirt Bike - my fave) they are over a 100 UK pounds a pair?

Interestingly each shock has 2 springs separated by a nylon spacer. The springs appear to be the same diameter and number of coils per inch, only the length being different, one is only about 3 inches long, the other the rest of the shock length. My basic knowledge of spring physics tells me this would in effect be a dual rate set up, the longer spring doing the majority of the work with the shorter stiffer spring only coming into play on bigger moves (drop offs etc).

Has anyone got any thoughts on these? Have I had a win or do they need to go in the bin?

Thanks, any pointers appreciated.

Shaun B

Both springs will compress as the shocky compresses. In your case, because they both have the same wire diameter and coil diameter, the short and long springs will compress in amounts directly proportional to their lengths. It is a dual spring system but is still a single rate system.
A dual rate system requires that one spring, or section of a spring, becomes coil bound before the suspension reaches the end of its travel.
The reason that springs like that are fitted is so the plastic bit acts as a spring guide, in an attempt to prevent the spring from vibrating and hitting the body due to sideways acceleration.
Sounds like you got a real bargain with those shockies.

One advantage with the NJB shocks is to be able to buy them set up to your weight and riding conditions with different spring weights and soft or hard damper.

Here is a pic of my old Fox shocks (very similar!) They also have air adjustment which i think changes the damping?? Springs are rock hard, set it up for a much bigger rider.
Any suggestions on softer springs - wreckers or can i buy new somewhere please.

Hi BOGWHEEL

Either Don Newell in QLD http://www.newellmotorcycles.com.au/
or Peter Schoene in VIC Bultaco Parts http://www.users.bigpond.com/bultaco.oz/ should be able to help with new springs.

Paul Mac

Hi, I bought Trikshoxs for my Monty 242. I think you have scored a great bargain. The shocks are specially designed with bearings at the mounting points to reduce stiction so they respond to every small irregularity. The springs are actually dual rate but quite close in rate to minimise the tranistion between springs. They are around 120 pound to buy which is OK compared to other shocks of the same quality. They are not rebuildable athough the supplier will supply bare shocks (no springs etc) at a very good price. I am very happy with the set I bought.

They have been designed to try and give a twinshock similiar characteristics as a mono in that the feel from the tyre is maximised.

It took a little getting used to as it felt like I could feel everything which was correct. Once I realised that it allowed me to feel the tyres action over obstacles it is excellent. I am thinking of fitting them to my other bikes.

Thanks for the replies guys, sounds like I will be keeping them on the bike.

Feedback and comments much appreciated.

Cheers

Shaun B