Shocking Questions

[hennesse]

Shocking Question A: Can anyone identify these shocks? They came on my 1962 XLCH, one of the few non-original parts on it. Several people have asked me if I want to sell them, so there must be something special about them. Strangely, they were mounted upside down from the way they are in this photo.

Mystery shock absorbers

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Shocking Question B: Is anyone interested in this pair of 1952-1953 shocks? They are complete but inoperable.The one on the left has a crease in the body (the bike was wrecked), so it doesn't move. Unfortunately, the washer slid up when I laid them on the ground, and covers the crease in the photo. The one on the right moves too easily - zero resistance. Someone way more talented than I could possibly fix them. I can bring them to the Oley swap meet in a couple of weeks.

1952-1953 shocks

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Non-Shocking Question: Who is going to Oley? I'll be in my usual space near the Volunteers Pavilion. Stop by.

[xlh59]

Hi Henesse,

interesting that people asked you to sell them but didn´t tell you why ... -- these are the -63R shocks that were used on the KRTT and XLRTT models.They are factory parts and use de-carbon damping.

I also would be intersted, if you decide to sell them, they are the missing piece ony XLCH/XLRTT hybrid bike. But any measurement would also be highly appreciated (as I was considering to get reproductions made).

Unfortunately they are chromed, but you can´t have it all.

Cheers, Ralf

[44UL]

Yes -R shocks…i am VERY interested and will pay decent money for them!!

[hennesse]

Thanks for the info guys. Sorry, the shocks are not for sale, at least not now.

I've been looking at XLR(TT) photos on the Internet, and found a 1965 with these shocks mounted as in my photo, and a 1964 with them rotated 180 degrees. So which way is "right side up" and which is "upside down"? Or do you flip a coin?

I also see several XLRs of 63-64-65 with different shocks. Can anyone offer a primer what shocks came on what years XLR(TT)s?

Ralf - I can take measurements, but that will have to wait until I disassemble them for final cleaning - a little down the road. Too much other stuff to do!

Dave

[Ferrous_Head]

Back in the eighties (?) guys started showing up at he race tracks with their shocks mounted "upside down".

Their theory was that it made no difference to the action of the shock absorber but weight was moved from the bottom, nearer the swing arm towards the top, nearer the frame and this helped a little with unsprung weight.

I found zero difference myself.

[Ferrous_Head]

Also meant to mention as no one else seems to have, they look to be Herorco's.

I was thinking they had the company name on them, stamped into the cover, but might have just been a decal. Gone long ago.

Weird looking springs are again (I think) an attempt to reduce weight.

[Simon]

Heco shocks as seen in this thread https://harleykmodel.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=915

[Ferrous_Head]

Sorry, yes, Herco's. My spelling is "enhanced" by my poor eyesight.

[xlh59]

Hi Dave,

it would be amazing if you could provide measurements ... I mentioned my approach already in the post Simon mentioned.

About your shocks: I was always wondering, how these shocks would be chromed. As far as I understood, these were filled with a nitrogen/oil mix. Wouldn`t that mix get changed during the process? Even without nitrogen, it seems strange to have oil filled shocks chromed.

Best, Ralf

[Ferrous_Head]

I don't know about the Herco's but many shocks are able to be disassembled to replace the seals. Some just have collars that unscrew but some are crimped on. There are (were ?) people out there who specialize in shocks who can disassemble and reassemble shocks.