ATC 250SX Rear Shock Alternatives

[dougspcs]

Inverted??? That my Brother is a good question. I don't see any reason why they couldn't. The only reason I haven't gone that route is I want the reservoir protected by the battery box.

I figured if I inverted it and put a shock wrap around it to keep the dirt out I might be able to install it without modding..

Just didn't know if these shocks had any liquid charge in them that might obstruct the gas flowing in and out of the cannister during compression.

If it can maybe I'll buy that other black/gold shock and 30mm extension from you to help you cover some of your investment since you can only buy them in pairs..unless you have a future plan for it that is?

[Flyingw]

Here is the black and gold shock inverted. It only fits with the reservoir facing the back. On the SX, the battery box still has to be shifted back because if the shock bottoms out, the reservoir slams the bottom of the battery tray.

[Flyingw]

I figured if I inverted it and put a shock wrap around it to keep the dirt out I might be able to install it without modding..

Just didn't know if these shocks had any liquid charge in them that might obstruct the gas flowing in and out of the cannister during compression.

If it can maybe I'll buy that other black/gold shock and 30mm extension from you to help you cover some of your investment since you can only buy them in pairs..unless you have a future plan for it that is?

I'd be game for that.

[Flyingw]

These shocks are charged with Nitrogen. All the Nitrogen does is keep the oil from foaming and yes they have oil in them. I know because the one I trashed has oil coming out of a pin hole.

[Flyingw]

I left the black and gold shock on the trike and set it back on its wheels...... Too soft for the SX or even the ES for that matter. The red/gold shocks are stiffer and fit nicely after the battery box mod is done. The black and gold shocks are NO GOOD!!! Don't use these shocks on the SX or ES. Maybe if the spring preload is tightened up they might but the spring rate is too soft in my opinion.

[Flyingw]

I tightened up the preload quite a bit and it helped but I still think the springs are too soft.

[dougspcs]

I tightened up the preload quite a bit and it helped but I still think the springs are too soft.

Too soft? Or bottom out soft?

I'd be ok with a cushiony ride..but if it's bottom out soft then maybe you're right to wait on your red/gold set to show..

Then if they are a winner and you're game, I'll split the pair with you.

[Flyingw]

Here's the modified battery box. Two simple brackets riveted to the front of the box. Note the CDI tab is bent down. On the Army trike I drilled the welds and dropped it to the bottom corner but bending it over works too.

Let me get back to you on that Doug. With the preload all the way relaxed, the trike weight squats the shock about an inch. Tightening it up fixed that but I'm about 180 and when I sit on it, it squats more than I want it to but let me get it back together. I'll tighten up the preload a little more and let you know.

[jeffatc250r]

I have a set of those shocks on my 200s fatcat conversion. It seems to work well with the 2 of them. Only one would be too weak, esp on a trike. Id like to find a nice replacement for my big sped, all my nice and slow driving blew her out!
How abt newer smaller quads? Got my wheels turning now, im gonna stop by the dealership in town tomm and see if i cant sniff out a possible candidate.

[Flyingw]

Here's the modified battery boxes reinstalled. You have to pull some slack to the back on the main harness and cable going between the solenoid and starter. maybe even playing with the routing a little but there's enough there to do it. So that's it really. If I had the red and gold shocks I'd be done but those will take all about 10 minutes to install.

I agree Jeff, this particular shock is too weak. The red/gold shock is actually a buggy shock hence the stiffer spring. This was an experiment with the black/gold shock and it didn't work but no biggie. Now we know.

Doug, I'm going to tighten up the preload a little more and see how it is. Back in a few.

[Flyingw]

If you can find a 360-365mm shock with the right spring rate then it should work just fine. even a 370mm would probably work.

[Flyingw]

Here's a comparison.

Cop trike, stock shock. Measuring from the floor to the top of the grab bar....28" Sitting on it...26 1/2"

Marine trike, black/gold shock. Floor to top of grab bar.... 27 7/8" Sitting on it... 25 1/2"

Army trike, red/gold shock with a PRM grab bar.... 27 1/4" Sitting on it 26"

I can tell the black/gold shock is softer than the others so your call if you want to take a chance on it Doug.

[ps2fixer]

There is rumor that the 250x quad rear shock will work on the SX, I have an SX and the shock, but I can't seem to find it for testing . Of course... 250x was made 87-92, so probably no NEW shocks for them .

I'm watching this thread, as well as the other for findings. The 250es and sx seem to have a bit too stiff of a shock for me, but I'm only around 150lbs and I like a soft ride . Just to point out, my old 350 warrior would sink quite a lot when sat on, and it rode great as well as landings for jumps, but it has the link setup like a 250r/tri-z

[userj8670]

Hey this is a neat thread! I will be keeping my eye on this for sure!

[Flyingw]

Going back to PS2fixer's comments about the 250X shock, yes, that is compatible but its basically the same shock as the ES/SX just sprung and valved slightly different. What my goal is to find a better shock than stock and I think I've found it with the red/gold shock. Keep in mind that the ES/SX were NOT designed for jumping. What they were designed for was working, pulling, towing and in the case of the SX, some sport riding. The red/gold shocks should be waiting for me when I get home today so they will get installed tonight.

Now, with all that said, if a person who weighs 150 or less, the black/gold shock mounted in the inverted position may be a good choice but I'm about 180 and when I sit down on it, it squats. Before I pull the shock off tonight, I'll have my wife sit on it and take a few pics and measurements just as a referance. She's about 130 so we'll see how much it squats with her on it. Right now the shock has about 5/8" preload on it as opposed to having the preload backed all the way off.