Trials Australia Forums

I would just like to ask any bodys opinion on shockie postions / ive seen a couple of ty 175 ;s with the top of the shockie moved down the frame about 100ml, what does any body think the benefits of this would be as i am doing a 175 ty up to ride any info would great to make my 175 easier to ride as i need all the help i can get thanks don

Hello donrule, Moving the top of the shocks forward increases the rear suspension travel which helps get more rear travel which in turn increases traction. On the TY`s I think you have to put a frame brace behind were you put the top shock mount or else it will bend the frame. This also has the effect of raising the rear end which sharpens the steering up as well. Usually you have to increase the spring rate as the mechanical leverage on the shocks is higher. Or in plain talk put stiffer springs on it. Good luck. Graham.

Moving top shock mount forward means more progressive suspension action. To get the most benefit from this you will also need good quality shocks, and its not really something thats worth doing if you dont have good shocks.

Don if you still have the standard TY shocks on that TY175, changing to good quality modern design aftermarket trials shocks set up for your weight provides a huge improvement in rear end action, and also increases wheel travel.
If you are running a standard front end setup, I suggest good quality 340mm shocks mounted in the standard position.
Increasing the rear end travel further than what is gained using modern shocks can give an even better action, but handling quickly becomes compromised due to the short wheelbase.

Big problem with "modern" design twin-shock suspension units is that most use internal design dating from the late 70s! If you are looking for up to the minute TS suspension, the latest Mk5 Falcon units are the ones to go for, as they provide much better performance than the late 70s type units.

FM350 wrote:Big problem with "modern" design twin-shock suspension units is that most use internal design dating from the late 70s! If you are looking for up to the minute TS suspension, the latest Mk5 Falcon units are the ones to go for, as they provide much better performance than the late 70s type units.

Yes Don it is important to get latest technology shocks. I didn't specifically mention Falcons because I have already recommended them countless times and when anyone mentions a brand of shocks, there is usually an avalanche of posts about why this shock or that shock is better than some other shock. Falcons are my personal favourite but I am sure there are others that are also very good.

Interestingly enough the Betor trials shocks are a direct copy of what Falcon were making in the 1980s, the original Rockshocks were designed by Falcon back in the late 70s (with internals pretty much the same today), and as the quite costly Magical shocks are made by Betor, I would be very surprised if internal parts are not quite close to the much cheaper Betor branded shocks!

hi thanks to all that have replied to my question its been a big help , also could some one please tell me where i can purchase the falcon shocks from thanks don

Don Newell in Brisbane was selling them last time I asked 07 33531874
You can also buy direct from Falcon in the UK. Contact details are usually in VMX magazine and Classic Dirt Bike magazine or just use Google
Ask for Falcon Trial Classic shocks and specify the length and which spring rate you want - for you on a standard TY175 I would say 50 lb/in springs. They come in steel or aluminium body. The steel ones are much cheaper than the aluminium and only fractionally heavier.

Its a good idea to ask for light damping on Falcon shocks, unless you are wanting to use the bike for trail riding, as suspension works better for trials with light damping.