QUESTIONS ABOUT SHOCKS ?

[THE ZUKE]

Hi Zuke,

     I see your issue that you are building a "cruiser".  But looking at the modifications that you have done and are still working on, don't come up short with cheap shocks because it is a "cruiser".  I think the roads in France have mountains and curves from what I remember.  You can turn your cruiser into a performance car and back to cruiser with the best shocks you can afford. 
     I run Bilstein shocks on my daily drivers and it makes a huge difference.  On my modified Cuda, I am running Afco single adjustable shocks (XV Motorsports Level 1) https://www.afcoracing.com/default.aspx.  They are easy to tune.  I set mine at full soft and went for a drive.  I turned up the compression one click at a time until I got the ride quality I wanted.  It is easy to take a click out if you are planning an easy long highway drive, or you can turn them up if you choose to do a track day.  The good thing with Afco is that they can build you a shock to fit your needs.
  I have read that the Fox shocks from Hotchkiss are very good.  I ran Fox on my old racing motorcycles, and currently have them on my performance snowmobile and I love them.  If I didnt have the Afco shocks, this is what I would have in my Cuda. 
  In conclusion, the shock will be the biggest factor in your ride quality.  Sure, a cheap Monroe shock can work, but a high quality, and adjustable shock is money well spent for the long run.  It is expensive and you won't regret it.  Just my opinion.    J

Hi, 

Thank you for explanations which confirms what other members have already explained.

[ledphoot]

If you want a nice compliant shock that will do a good job of absorbing bumps in the road Bilstein is the way to go. Firm, but not too firm.

I went with RideTech single adjustable shocks, they are made by Fox. I have no idea how they feel yet, I am still a few months away from driving the Cuda, but I imagine they will be pretty good from what I have read. QA1 and AFCO sound like nice shocks as well.

[THE ZUKE]

If you want a nice compliant shock that will do a good job of absorbing bumps in the road Bilstein is the way to go. Firm, but not too firm.

I went with RideTech single adjustable shocks, they are made by Fox. I have no idea how they feel yet, I am still a few months away from driving the Cuda, but I imagine they will be pretty good from what I have read. QA1 and AFCO sound like nice shocks as well.

I have several interesting opinions, I just have to make the right choice.   

[7212Mopar]

Running Hotchkis single adjustable with their torsion bars and Mopar replacement springs with additional leaf. Ride is good and very controllable.

[dodj]

In my opinion, if you don't want adjust ability, go with the Bilsteins.
For not much more though, the QA1 adjustable is a very nice shock. As for adjusting, it is just a matter of testing different settings to get the ride/control that you are looking for.
As Brad said, they recommend starting on setting '6'.

[ledphoot]

I believe Hotchkis shocks are made by Fox as well, probably same shock as ridetech but may have slightly different valving.

[THE ZUKE]

I'll choose HOTCHKIS adjustable or QA1 adjustable.