Sounds a bit wierd but my brother (R1 rider) says he has seen bikes that lower to the ground instead of using a centre stand. It is down to some sort of self lowering kit that replaces part of the suspension.
For my next car it would be interesting to use the same setup on the car as I hate speed bumps and they have already claimed the clips from my sidepods.
I would set up the car for a low ground clearance, but raise it when I come across this pesky bar****ds.
I could try to avoid them but twice I have been diverted down side roads by road works/police and had to hear the awful sound of my panels scraping.
Anyone point me to a supplier of these?
I have done a google search but it is a nightmare trying to find the parts.

Cheers Martin

One crew used a pneumatic piston on Biker Build Off ( the American series) to lower/raise the bike, it acted on the swing arm suspension.
Look on the net for forums etc about 'Lowriders'. They use hydraulic systems to control ride height.
Didn't the Citroen hydrolastic suspension do this? May be a cheap source of parts.

It would certainly be a useful feature but how would you incorporate it into a lightweight design like yours? You would need to either change the shocks for pneumatic ones and have a compressor to control ride height (my Goldwing had something similar) or have a pneumatic 'assist' spring in tandem with the original shocks.

why not do as per the F1 guys

2 bits of wood glued either side to allow ground contact but without damage
running strips, is that correct ?

I am assuming there is a replacement shock for the bike as it lowers it to the floor.
A seperate hydraulic piston would not make the existing shock shorter.
My brother seems to think that it uses a shorter shock with another hydraulic section.
A car would only have to alter height by around 1-2" so if there are shock conversions, it may just be a swap for the standard ones on the car plus a small pump/compressor.
I will use inboard suspension again, so a cam with a 2:1 ratio could be used to increase any small changes created by the hydraulic shock.
This setup is for my next project, not the one in my avatar.

[Edited on 31/1/2007 by nitram38]

quote:

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Originally posted by nitram38
A seperate hydraulic piston would not make the existing shock shorter.
My brother seems to think that it uses a shorter shock with another hydraulic section.

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http://www.air-suspension-forum.com/?gclid=CLTpkvOri4oCFSoMQgodS1veRA

may be of some help.

I do have an idea, which is to make a triangular cam instead of mounting the shock to the chassis and putting a hydraulic cylinder on the other side.
This will adjust the shocks mounting.

Found these : CLICK

More info: Click

[Edited on 31/1/2007 by nitram38]

Guys, just an update. I have been in touch with a US company who make Air Ride Suspension that is height adjustable and will directly replace coilovers.
No springs required.
4 shocks plus compressor kit works out at around £750 plus any import duty etc.

Air Shocks

Dual compressor kit

I am trying to get the price down if I buy direct.
What do you guys think of this setup?

[Edited on 9/2/2007 by nitram38]

Looks like a good candidate for your project. I used to have something similar on my first Goldwing in the 80's - you can dial in the height you require according to the weight you are carrying although I believe you are more concerned about increasing height when road conditions dictate.
The variable spring rate will of course mean a very hard ride in the highest ride height but that shouldn't be a problem - but what about sloppy handling in the softest (lowest) position?

I notice that their recommended ride height is roughly half way in their travel so is a couple of inches going to be enough?

Also the twin compressor might be better used for front/rear bias and not individual shocks as they suggest - is it capable of running 4 shocks?

[Edited on 9-2-07 by RazMan]

It is the shock rates that decide how hard the ride is. Inside is a bilstien shock.
The air suspension only acts as a spring for ride height control and corner roll.
The shocks are only available in soft or sports unfortunately.



Description
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[Edited on 9/2/2007 by nitram38]

I understand that the damper will control the ride quality but without any pressure in the shock it will just bottom out and stay there won't it? I suppose comparing between conventional springs and air springs is tricky - like apples & bananas

No the air suspension is a spring in effect so returns the shock to it's correct height.
It works the same way as a conventional coil over.

[Edited on 9/2/2007 by nitram38]

Would you like me to check these guys out for you?.....it's pretty close to me (in US terms, LOL)

Looks interesting for sure.

Yes please !!!
Although their feedback looks good !

Last night I ordered the compressor kit and 4 airshocks at 5.10 pm Florida time (10.10pm here).
Just checked UPS Express and they are at East Midlands Airport for delivery Monday
A set of wheels I ordered Thursday in Rochdale, will be here next Wednesday............go figure.
The company I bought them from is Arnott Industries in Cape Canaveral and the total was £814 inc delivery.
I don't know what the import duty will be (most of the time I have not been charged any).
The air shocks should allow me to run at 3" off the road (was going to risk 2", but thought better of it) and with the correct ratio of pivot cam, 2:1, on the inboard suspension, I should be able to raise the car to 6".
I know that the suspension geometry will change, but at least I will be able to go over speed humps and get to the infield at places like Donnington without bottoming out!
How well the non-adjustable bilstein "sports" shocks handle, I don't know, but watch this space !



[Edited on 10/2/2007 by nitram38]

try googleing rayvern hydraulics and max hydraulics as these are supplyers makers in the uk and am sure they are cheeper ?
dont quote me though.

Too late now!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by nitram38
It is the shock rates that decide how hard the ride is. Inside is a bilstien shock.
The air suspension only acts as a spring for ride height control and corner roll.
The shocks are only available in soft or sports unfortunately.

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My mate Kev had air shocks on his Goldwing and they were not too brilliant. They were very inconsistent and had to be adjusted all the time in use.

We will see.

May not be a brilliant idea, but could you run them in parallel with some normal coilovers? Ie have two take offs on the rockers and only pump/prime/whatever the air shocks when required? Another option could be to link the rockers together and use the air shocks to expand the gap between the tops, thus raising the car for a short while? Could cause springing issue when raised, but it won't be for long will it?