Rear suspension and wheel

Rear wheels bearings

• rear wheel bearing: 2x 3203 2RS
• rear sprocket-holder: 2x 6204A 2RS
• seals: 2x 25x40x7

• Swingingarm and shock bearings

  Quite unusually, Laverda used maintenancefree Permaglide type P10 bushes from Schaeffler-INA for the entire rear suspension. These bushes are a composite of four layers (from inner to outer):
  • a "running-in"-layer of teflon and lead.
  • the gliding layer: a sintered bronzematrix with embedded teflon and lead.
  • a steel housing
  • an zinn anticorrosion-layer

  During the running-in, a sliding and sealing layer of teflon and lead is build between the bush and the steel axis. As long as there is no play, water does not pass through this layer, as a consequence, the bearings must not be DEMOUNTED, CLEANED or even GREASED! Demounting/cleaing will destroy the sealing layer, adding grease will build an abbrasive paste, resulting in abnormal wear [Reference: Permaglide datasheets, Schaeffler Group].

  From this, two problems do result:

  • how to replace an endless (closed) secondary chain without getting out the swinging arm?
  • how to examine the bushes and steel axis when you must not separate them?
  • how to protect the steel axis from incoming water and corrosion?

  The answer: it's simply not possible! Disassembling the rear suspension system will damage its bearings.

  The problem with our bikes is, that nearly every Atlas has been "forgotten" for a while, leant over (to the right side...) on its side stand with bearings a little bit worn out ... during the years, water passed (maybe pushed in with a Kercher???) and stayed in the right side bearings, particulary on the long bolt on the "bone", doing its corrosive work...

  So what to do when the bearings are used or rusted away?

  • replace them with the original P10 and hope that you do not need to disassemble the system for the next 50.000 miles
  • replace them with the "Permaglide-P20". The P20 are equally made out of a comparable multi-layer compound - but (must) work with grease, as a consequence diassembling is no problem any more. Like normal needle-bearings, the P20 have to be periodically relubrificated.
  • if the "running-in" layer of the original P10 bearings is gone but mecanical wear is more or less within the tolerances, we made good experience with greasing the P10 like normal bearings Put new seals and grease regulary (e.g. every 7 tsd miles)

  Notes:

  • The types P10 and P20 are replaced by the lead-free P14 and P24.
  • P10/P20 product information / specs : Schaeffler/Ina Permaglide
  • Order information: type: PAP ddll Pnm (e.g.: PAP 2025 P10), with:
    • dd = (inner)-diameter = diameter of the axis (in mm)
    • ll = length (in mm)
    • Pnm = type (P10, P14, P20...)

• Rear suspension/shock

  To replace the original Marzocchi-DeCarbon damper, three suppliers are building shocks for the Atlas.

  Manufacturer	Type	Price	Specs	Comments
  	Monoshock	PBS	OEM shock, not available any more gas-type "DeCarbon" shock with integrated nitrogen reservoir. preload adjuster lenght (between mounting centers): 385mm diameter (spring ext.). 78mm low mounting "fork": 28x10mm upper mounting "eye": 25x10mm very complicated rebuild by specialists (e.g. Oehlins)	The original shock is not bad at all. In the 80th it was one of the high quality products compared to japanese trails.
  EMC France	SportShock	540,- Euros	available on demand, delivery within 2 weeks gas-type "DeCarbon" shock with integrated nitrogen-reservoir. Damping regulators: combined compression-detention damping adjuster preload adjuster additional remote hydraulic spring preload available rebuildable/servicable	EMC was originally suspension producer in UK and became french in the 90th. They own the specs for the Atlas since the 80th. Shocks are customized on customers specs (riders weight, riding style). For offroad usage (with luggage) order with stronger spring (328X1100) EMC-France is known for excellent service, even beyond warranty. EMC quality is excellent. Some reports of leakages under hard offroad/MX usage.
  Wilbers Suspension	540 Ecoline 640 Road 641 Competition	400,- (Ecoline) to 800,- (Competition) Euro	available on demand, delivery within 2 weeks Typ 540/640: emulsion type, Typ 641: gas-type with external nitrogen reservoir Damping regulators: 540: - / 640: extension / 641: extension and compression (low-highspeed) preload adjuster additional remote hydraulic spring preload available rebuildable/servicable	The Wilbers prototype for Atlas was ordered and tested by Tom Eatman u. Bruno. Shocks are customized on customers specs (riders weight, riding style). Wilbers quality is ok (lower price shocks) to excellent. Frequent reports (and personal experience) of leakage on new shocks (covered under warranty)
  Hagon Shocks	Monoshock Type N	275,- GBP	available on demand, delivery within 2 weeks emulsion-type shock Damping regulators: combined compression-detention damping adjuster preload adjuster additional remote hydraulic spring preload available rebuildable/servicable	The Hagon prototype for Atlas was ordered and tested by Nick Alcock. Shocks are customized on customers specs (riders weight, riding style). Hagon quality is ok. Unbeatable price.