Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 00:18:01 -0800
Reply-To: Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: Seikel Syncro Shocks & Surco Safari Racks
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Has anyone followed up on Derek's post some time back about
the shocks Peter Seikel offers for syncros. As i recall,
there were 3 different rates re damping. I also recall
mention of some boges Peter has....are these the same thing
...Derek? Anyway, i would be very interested in hearing
from anyone who has actually tried the "M" or "N" or the
boges...if they're something different.
I bought new stock front shocks less than a year ago and
after a recent somewhat rough trip into the desert, they are
shot. I don't know if it was the washboard (90+ miles of
it) or the slow-speed deep rolling dune-like terrain (12
miles) that had the van using nearly every inch of
suspension like a ship traversing waves. I did bottom out
once, but not bad. I didn't really abuse the van, although
it was hard use at times....some rocky terrain. The point
is the stock shocks are not up to the off-road use...they
are the part(s) that failed, nothing else did. Perhaps it's
time to start calling the shops that build shocks for
off-road racing bikes and see what they might be willing to
do as far as fabricating a set of bilsteins to fit a syncro.
The good news from the trip is that the new surco safari
rack (55"x60") held up great...it got quite a torture test
along the way. I have it mounted to the poptop via 2 yakima
racks slightly aft of center. You can lift the poptop with
the rack attached (but empty) with a little
difficulty...nothing too bad...easier than with a bike or
two up there. Fully loaded, we had about 200 lbs. of food,
fuel, water, wood, etc...enough for me and two 4 year-olds
for a 6 days in the desert. This weight undoubtedly
contributed to the shock failure (by which i mean much of
the damping is gone now), but the pop top sure held up
well. On the way home we hit big snow in the sierra, with
heavy winds. really strong cross winds do cause some
problems with the rack, but nothing that slowing down a
little won't fix. Generally, there was no significant
change in handling characteristics beyond what you normally
expect with a heavy load, including in the snow. Cruising
at 70mph on the flats was no problem as long as there was no
serious wind . To help with fuel efficiency, etc., I
fashioned a fairing out of 1/4" plywood painted balck, which
worked great. I also loaded the contents of the rack for
maximum aerodynamic effect. Sure was nice to keep all that
stuff outside during the 11/2 day drive! I also attached a
small 6" portable tv on the front table arm and hooked up a
vcr (Kelly B's design) so the kids had in flight movies on
the long ride from rainy san frnacisco...through snowy
stormy mountains and finally our 85 degree desert paradise
destination. The kids loved the off-road part of the trip.
Anyway, any info on the shocks would be greatly
appreciated....including from the european
members...please!.
steve
1990 syncro westfalia
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