I'd like to soften the ride on my VW-based Vintage Speedster. The bad roads and pot holes are banging the hell out of the car... and me.
Any suggestions for a softer shock?
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RotnRoby just asked this same question last week and upgraded to Koni Reds left at the factory setting.
Also, your inflation pressures can make a significant difference. The fronts should be around 20 psi and the rears around 28-30 psi. I've heard some run the fronts down in the teens, but that makes me a bit uncomfortable.
@Lane Anderson posted:Also, your inflation pressures can make a significant difference. The fronts should be around 20 psi and the rears around 28-30 psi. I've heard some run the fronts down in the teens, but that makes me a bit uncomfortable.
FWIW, 20 psi makes me "a bit uncomfortable".
When I first put the lower profile tires on I was running 18-24. I’m running 20-26 now with no apparent ill effects.
Sure beats running the 165-15’s at 32 before I knew any better. 
@Stan Galat posted:FWIW, 20 psi makes me "a bit uncomfortable".
Just remember you are measuring the tire pressures without the weight of the driver. I figure my fronts are 28-30 when I'm sitting in the car 🙂
@Michael Pickett posted:Just remember you are measuring the tire pressures without the weight of the driver. I figure my fronts are 28-30 when I'm sitting in the car 🙂
Yeah, I'm not sure it works like that, but... OK.
I don't think so , Mike. Short answer, good enough for the girls we go out with, is that if you increase the weight on any tire by 50% or more, there will a slight rise in air pressure, since the contact area will increase, which increases friction, which increases heat, which increases pressure.
I don't know your weight, but it's unlikely your weight will increase the weight on the tire by more than 10%, which is negligible in terms of increased pressure.
I suspect Mike's tongue was firmly planted in his cheek, but it does betray the fact that not everything that seems like it would be so is in fact so.
It's like the contact patch of wide tires. Everybody knows that wider tires equal a bigger contact patch. Except that all else being equal on the vehicle, this is not so. Wider tires change the shape of the contact patch, and therefore the rolling resistance and cornering characteristics, but not the size of the contact patch (which is shorter front to back and wider perpendicular to the front/back of the vehicle).
Intuition is not a very good guide.
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I was told there'd be no math.
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A train leaves Los Angeles heading east at 60 mph . . .
...and a look at the train schedule and your mobile phone will tell you when it is expected to arrive in Chicago...and all towns in between.
@Sacto Mitch posted:.
I was told there'd be no math.
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5/4 of the population have difficulty with fractions!
3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the population!
Stop !! it burns, it burns ............ lol
I think we'll have to start calling you Smaug.