Anyone install the Convertible Comfort Brackets after to their 14 inch shocks?

[14TG]

Question for anyone who has installed the DK “convertible comfort” brackets to their 14” shocks….

I realize that the majority on here have installed 13” shocks with “Comfort LIFT” brackets and can tell a significant better ride in their Tri Glide (or Freewheeler or RG3). In Those cases, the 13” shock is purchased, along with additional purchase of brackets that lift it another inch.

I installed 14” shocks and that height is pretty much the maximum height to all of us without having any clearance issues.

After reading about the “Convertible Comfort” brackets - which are designed Specifically for 14” shocks, that it allows a little more of an angle, which in turn should give it a slightly better ride, so I decided to purchase a pair.

I have an extra set of OEM shock brackets and the Convertible Comfort brackets have 2 pair of holes to choose from… the 2 set of holes inboard basically is the stock position.

Using the holes most outward keeps the shock in the same height position, but indeed kicks the shock position out exactly 3/4”. So the brackets do indeed match the description of the product.

But my question is: Will this 3/4” really make a noticeable ride difference?
I will put a few miles on it when spring has sprung here in Pennsylvania, so I can do a true “before and after”.

I have done some great upgrades and our trikes can only be tweaked so far with the ride quality.
Honestly, I am quite pleased with the addition of my 14” ProAction shocks and the fork kit and it made a HUGE difference. (Includes lowering shock psi down to 20-22 psi)….and it definitely even rides better after I installed the rake kit too!

So this is not a complaint by any means whatsoever, nor do I want to do a debate on who’s shocks are better (at least not on this post, lol!)… I just want to maximize it to the best that it could possibly be. …(which I understand it can be subjective, as each of us have personal likes/dislikes).

Just curious if anyone had installed these EXACT “convertible comfort” brackets AFTER they had their 14” shocks already installed?
- Did anyone notice a difference at all?

I will be installing mine in the near future in a couple months and I will report back with my personal feedback.
Would like to hear if anyone else has done the same?

Pics of the the brackets compared to stock:


I’m just really curious if this very small difference in the shock position and adding the additional small minor angle (cantilever affect-if you will) is really noticeable?

(I’ll Keep y’all posted with my personal results in a couple months!)

C’mon spring!!!!!

 

[pwhoever]

Well hopefully Spring gets here soon. Unfortunately looks like Punxsutawney Phil screwed you guys in PA out of an early spring. We got lucky and Jimmy the Groundhog and Woodstock Willie did us a solid so we will have an early spring here.

 

[14TG]

Well hopefully Spring gets here soon. Unfortunately looks like Punxsutawney Phil screwed you guys in PA out of an early spring. We got lucky and Jimmy the Groundhog and Woodstock Willie did us a solid so we will have an early spring here.

lol!!! We’re all due for an awesome riding season!!!

 

[PanheadSteve]

I installed the comfort lift brackets when I installed 14” Suspension Technology shocks. I was going from OEM air shocks with comfort lift brackets so the upgrade was night and day.

Before buying the brackets, I ran the theory of how a cantilever angle could improve shock function by Suspension Technology. They didn’t see how it could help but hadn’t tried it either. Given how much research Kevin at DK has put into trike suspension, i chose to take his word for the benefit. It was a tight fit but they did go on. My understanding is that on 2017 and newer trikes like mine they may not fit in the highest setting.

I’ll be interested to hear what you think of adding the brackets to existing shocks.

 

[PosseRider]

I asked George at PROaCTION as i was putting his 14" shocks on .. He said they were not needed... so i didn't

 

[14TG]

I installed the comfort lift brackets when I installed 14” Suspension Technology shocks. I was going from OEM air shocks with comfort lift brackets so the upgrade was night and day.

Before buying the brackets, I ran the theory of how a cantilever angle could improve shock function by Suspension Technology. They didn’t see how it could help but hadn’t tried it either. Given how much research Kevin at DK has put into trike suspension, i chose to take his word for the benefit. It was a tight fit but they did go on. My understanding is that on 2017 and newer trikes like mine they nay not fit in the highest setting.

I’ll be interested to hear what you think of adding the brackets to existing shocks.

Yes, this topic has come up a few times on other forums and quite a few FB sites and some say that these “brackets” are “snake oil” and many purchase the brackets the same times a whatever brand aftermarket shock that one chooses.

No doubt, an improved ride will be noticed over the cheap factory shocks. (No question).

And by NO means is this going against a great vendor on here! (I have quite a few products on my very own trike and LOVE them).

I too question this small of an angle will be a noticeable difference (just as you experienced the same reply from Suspension Technology).

Personally I’m out for the “maximum” comfort to help as best as possible … including installing a pair of $160.00 brackets.

I did speak with Kevin (& a couple of the girls on the tech line), and they said that there is quite a few positive feedbacks with some noticeable difference. I’m not expecting much to be honest… but even a little, is welcomed.

Probably next year I may remove my 14” ProAction in favor of the 14” NexGen. But that is another subject and another time as many on here favor a certain brand of one over another.

But I’ll certainly report back when I put a few miles on it this spring. This will give the butt and body back in the groove and retain the “memory” for an honest before and after review.

 

[14TG]

I asked George at PROaCTION as i was putting his 14" shocks on .. He said they were not needed... so i didn't

I too, spoke with George on this, but I believe he was stating about 13” shocks with a lift kit bracket, verses JUST installing 14” without brackets.

The lift kit brackets with 13” shocks basically is the same end result of just going with 14” shocks.

But if you already have 14” shocks, the “convertible comfort” brackets do not give any additional height, but rather just kicks the shocks back. (In my case - 3/4” on my 2014 TG…. Other years have slightly different result).

The “Comfort lift” brackets are different than the “convertible comfort” brackets.

But you’re right… George at ProAction stated that they are not needed. I believe he was referring to the “lift” brackets.

So I will indeed see if there is any noticeable difference in these brackets that basically kick the shocks back 3/4”. (Keep all posted in a few weeks).

 

[evermill]

I installed DK Custom bracket and Proaction 14 shock. i had it set for twisty riding. I was very pleased. Now that I'm getting to have a more plush ride so converting this winter.

Yes PosseRider, I'm getting old lol. You guys coming to AZ eastern trike gathering?

 

[PosseRider]

I installed DK Custom bracket and Proaction 14 shock. i had it set for twisty riding. I was very pleased. Now that I'm getting to have a more plush ride so converting this winter.

Yes PosseRider, I'm getting old lol. You guys coming to AZ eastern trike gathering?

No, going to Maggie after summer trip still not sure where that ride will be, just know West.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Two thoughts on the Convertible Comfort Bracket for 14" shocks, and the Convertible Comfort Lift™ for 13" shocks:

1. George says they are not needed, as do we. However, not needed does not mean that they do not provide an improvement. This is what George also says (which is spot-on accurate)-
"The more you have a cantilever (angle) on your trikes shocks, the smoother the shocks will operate."

George of Pro-Action Shocks

2. Both of them increase the angle, and both of them (for the 14" & the 13") will provide a small, but noticeable to most, level of comfort. This is demonstrated, objectively with real world charts, in the following video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Dhg48_KQA


Kevin

 

[14TG]

Two thoughts on the Convertible Comfort Bracket for 14" shocks, and the Convertible Comfort Lift™ for 13" shocks:

1. George says they are not needed, as do we. However, not needed does not mean that they do not provide an improvement. This is what George also says (which is spot-on accurate)-
"The more you have a cantilever (angle) on your trikes shocks, the smoother the shocks will operate."

George of Pro-Action Shocks

2. Both of them increase the angle, and both of them (for the 14" & the 13") will provide a small, but noticeable to most, level of comfort. This is demonstrated, objectively with real world charts, in the following video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Dhg48_KQA


Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Thanks again for the info.
When matching up against a factory shock bracket, the 14” convertible comfort bracket is exactly 3/4” further back. It doesn’t sound like much, but it will kick the bottom of the shock back further slightly and that’s the question:

It just does not seem like much, and just hoping (and expecting) to indeed have a noticeable difference with swapping out the OE shock bracket for these convertible comfort brackets.

Any noticeable improvement is obviously welcomed!!
You guys make awesome products (I personally have quite a few DK Products on mine already) …and my apologies if I sound like I’m questioning this particular product, it just seems like a small difference (3/4”) of the lower shock mount kicking back and hope I do notice a difference (even if it is small).

Keep you posted in a couple months as full riding season is not too far away!

Thanks!
-Brett

 

[DK Custom Products]

Yeah, back about 50 years ago all the dirt bikes started having the shocks at a much increased angle than they were previously...because of what George said above. The more angle they are at, the more leverage on the shock, so the shock can absorb the smaller irregularities easier.

We would like to put the shocks at even more of an angle to improve the ride quality even more. However, there is not room, due to the trunk.

So that is the max we can do and not have the shock rub the trunk during articulation. Looking forward to hearing your report.

Some don't feel any difference, some feel a slight improvement, and others feel a significant improvement.

Myself, I feel a slight improvement, that matches the charts shown in the video above...it rounds off the sharp edges of a bump.

No apology necessary...everyone has different sensitivity to bumps, and some don't feel any difference.

Kevin

 

[DOKK]

I installed them when I installed the 14" NexGen shocks and then went on a 600 mile road trip that went up the Pennyrile Parkway in Kentucky, a very washboard interstate. All I can say was it was a night and day difference from stock. Now, as to the original question, I can't answer that fully as I installed both at once, but, as I said, the difference was night and day. Working for over 30 years in industrial maintenance, I do understand the theory of the angle from working so much with hydraulic cylinders. Keeping the movement as linear as possible is definitely better. Just my .02.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have them on my 21, transferred them from my 14. Now that they are adjusted better, they work really good. I might have some more tweaking to try but I believe they are pretty darn good.