In 2008 –fifteen years ago- we released one of the very first bgm PRO Lambretta products our rear shocker.
Over the years it got some upgrades and refinments, like rubber bushes for the mounting points. And also some first off ever things like the very clever height adjustment. Copied by many others. The second version the BGM7772 Black edition was introduced already in 2010 and was so good that we left it untouched until last year.
We had been in contact with Rob Gray of @kickbackgarage fame anyway every then and now. As he offered us his help on redefining the settings of our rear shockers, we did not hesitate one fraction of a second.
The combination of a Lambretta riding suspension technician was hardly to beat, so we provided samples, drawings and everything else he needed and Rob started his mission in improving the setup.
Some new shims and new rebound needle later…
… Rob was happy and did a back to back test against the previously favoured rear shocker. And this is Rob’s direct comparsion:
This super-clever refinmemts of a real suspension professional lead to a strictly limited edition:
“The other shock is good but the bgm sample I have follows the road better than it.
The other is slightly overdamped and still skips and jumps on the road even when set up correctly as high speed compression is too harsh.
The new bgm has gained some really nice mechanical grip with my mods.
These are the highlights of the new shock:
- Can be set up quite firm without being harsh for faster engines or 2 up.
- Rebound control is not just better, but also easier to set up.
- The damper shaft might be thinner than on other dampers, but this is good because it doesn`t displace as much oil. This means the oil will not overheat and there is more space for more oil. (win-win)
- Can be used on Series 1 and 2 and Series 3 without compromising on the stroke length.
- The use of more but thinner shims gives more control and the added bonus of pyramid shim stack is that they are progressive. This means that if you hit a hard square edge you automatically have firmer high-speed compression control. A faster movement on the shock gives more support through-out the shock stroke.
- We have cured the top-out issue! Yay! No funny noise and better rebound damping.
- Because of the shim stack configuration, we do not need to use progressive spring rates. This give the illusion that the stroke is longer than it is and although we can use the full stroke, it doesn`t bottom out harshly.
- I recommend 15-20% sag when setting up the shock, and I also recommend just 2-5 turns on the spring preload. 2 =75kg rider 5 =110kg rider. A spring always behaves better under less preload. I used 3 turns but backed it down to 2.5 (82kg with gear) I also have rebound set at 14 clicks from fully open.
Rob.
At the time of writing five of these only are left and all of them come or came with this note of Rob:
Rear shock absorber bgm PRO R12 V3
Black Edition RGS
As the limited Series is gone or will be gone shortly we are happy to announce that this improved inners are available from now on in serial production:
Rear shock absorber bgm PRO R12 V3
Silver Edition RGS
For all the lui – vega – cometa afficinados, we offer the silver / chrome ones in a set with the reduction bushes by our friends from Casa Performance / Rimini Lambretta Centre:
Rear shock absorber bgm PRO R12 V3
Silver Edition RGS 300-310mm- Lambretta LUI, VEGA, LUNA, COMETA
