Can you fit a paralever rear end to a monolever?

DrAlf

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
2,332
Reaction score
2
Location
Redbourn
I acquired an R80ST last year that had been converted to run a final drive and cast wheel from an R80. I’m considering options at the moment one of which is a Basic clone. If I could find a paralever rear end is it a simple job to convert? Has anyone done this? If so, is there an R or K bike that would allow fitment of an R1150GS rear wheel?!– ideas and advice appreciated:thumby:
 
The paralever and mono swinging arms are different widths so it isn't a straight forward swap. I think youll find the paralever swinging arm too wide for your frame. AN 1100 Swinging arm will fit straight in but you'll still have some offset to contend with and also need a shock mount making.

Chris Emerson did a nice conversion years ago.

Larapostsurgery.jpg
 
Thanks for the heads up Rob - your expert advice is always appreciated. Fitting an oilhead rear end sounds a little too complicated and involved for my basic spannering skills. Maybe I'd be best leaving it has a monolever then?! Ta:thumby:
 
Problem with all these conversions is that at the end you still have to have the skill to pick the correct springs, rework the damping and generally set the suspension up.
Starting from scratch.

If you have the skills to do that the stock parts can be made to work just about as well as any exotica you can bolt on.

Just start with a good shock, I like Ohlins, but some well informed folk like Wilbers too.

Ohlins will usually have a fork spring / fork fluid recommendation to match their shock, leaving only the final dial in to be sorted out, and that is just trial and error.
And a little bit skill/experience.

FWIW the two worst set up bikes I have owned came with receipts from suspension specialists for replacement shocks, fork springs and set up so I dont recommend that course.

The best , my R100 GS with a second hand Ohlins shock and HPN inserts is near perfect at stock settings and is miles in front of any upside down fork / extended swinging arm bike I have ever come across, although I haven't compared it with any genuine HPN or Moorespeed bikes.
But at $ 1000- the modifications were considerably cheaper than either.
 


Back
Top Bottom