Difference between Paralever Monolever Twinshock
What is the difference between Twinshock- Monolever- or Paralever-Models
What advantages or disadvantages do the individual drive systems offer and which model is more suitable for building a caferacer, bobber or scrambler custom bike. Here we try to bring some light into the darkness and explain the individual systems and prove everything in a technical table. In it you can read which fork width, shock length, etc. is installed in the respective Boxer 2-valve. The BMW Boxer from the years 1970 to 1996 belong to the absolute emphasis in our motorcycle Custombike manufacture, therefore we can advise you perfectly, which base vehicle for your motorcycle conversion is best suited. If you have questions that are not answered here you can call us.
BMW Twinshock Modells
Construction period to 1984
TWIN for pair and SHOCK for shock absorbers means it is a model with two suspension shocks and a rigid two-arm swing.
Twinshock Models: R45 78-85 -- R60/5 69-79 -- R60/6 73-76 -- R60/7 76-78 -- R65 78-85 -- R65LS 81-85 -- R75/5 69-73 -- R75/6 73-76 -- R75/7 76-77 -- R80/7 77-84 -- R80RT 82-84 -- R90/6 73-76 -- R90S 73-76 -- R100/7 76-78 -- R100S 76-80 -- R100RS 76-84 -- R100RT 78-84 -- R100CS 80-84 -- R100 80-84 -- R100T 78-80 Fork diameter 36mm, Shock length 330mm |
The vehicles used for our conversions are mostly BMW R65, BMW R80 or BMW R100 from first registration in 1980, the older /5/6/7 models are rather rare.
All Twinshock models had a drum brake at the rear, except the R100RS 76-84 and the R100S 76-80 (but both only from 1978).
The final drives (cardan gears) were kept smooth on the outside until 1980, from 1980 onwards they had cooling fins all around. (R80RT 82-84, R100 80-84, R65LS 81-85, R100CS 80-84).
The forks of all Twinshock models had a diameter of 36mm.
The last TS models from 1980 onwards already had the fixed calipers of the later Monolevers in the front. All other Twinshock, except the early /5/6 models, these still had drum brakes in front, had swing calipers.
All R90, R75, R60 as well as the R100CS, R100/7 had spoke wheels, all other classic BMWs had cast wheels. The spokes of the Twinshock cast wheels were more filigree, compared to the later aluminum wheels of the Monolever models. However, they can't be converted.
There is not much room in the rear for wide tires, stopping at a 120. We usually use 120/90-18 or 120/80-18 in the rear and 110/80-19 or 110/90-19 in the front.
The /5 models had a short and slightly higher tank, but the shape is already reminiscent of the later monolevers. With the /6 came a flatter and smaller tank, but it did not catch on. From the /7, until the last TS model, it was then the identical shape of the Monolever series.
The TS models have a lot of electrics in the headlight. This makes a conversion to a small lamp more difficult. However, with the SE wiring harness and matching handlebar switches, this problem can be solved.
In terms of bobber conversion, however, it is complicated with a Twinshock. Since the shocks are attached to the rear frame, these mounts are eliminated in the event of a conversion to a single seat. We can, however, weld new mounts to the skin frame and have the conversion registered by individual inspection.
The Twinshock's look more classic due to the twin arm swingarm. If you take the stock ones, the difference in braking and handling is huge. If the components are machined and modified accordingly, the difference is much smaller.
BMW Monolever Models
Construction period from 1984 to 1996
A MONOLEVER is a one-arm swing arm with a suspension strut on the right side. The rocker is made of steel and rigidly connected to the end drive made of aluminum. The shock absorber is attached directly to the main frame, independently of the rear frame, by means of a welded-on cast part.
Monolever Models: Street: R65 85-93, R80 84-92, R80RT 84-94, R100RT 87-96, R100RS 86-92 Gabeldurchmesser 38,5mm Federbeinlänge 409mm Dirt: R80G/S 80-87, R80ST 82-84, R65GS 87-92 Fork diameter 36mm, Shock length GS 365mm, ST 350mm |
The first BMW monolever model was the R80 G/S presented in 1980 and thus also the first off-road sport motorcycle. In the road models, if you take out the hermaphrodite R80ST, the rigid single-sided swingarm entered the BMW model range in 1984 with the R80RT. This drive concept was built until 1996, the R100RT was the last Monolever model.
The Monolever road models have a fork with 38.5mm standpipe diameter and double disc brakes (except R65). Brake systems with two-piston fixed calipers were installed at the front. With the Enduros it remained however with the 36mm fork widths and a single disk brake system. At the rear all models have a drum brake.
The calipers are originally mounted in front of the fork. It is possible to swap the two fork tubes from right to left, so that the calipers point to the rear. Since the wheel axle is also slightly offset, the bike becomes even more manageable and agile.
The ML models are so far the most popular base vehicles for BMW conversions. They have wider rims compared to the Twinshock models, which allows the use of wide tires. The forks and brakes are larger in size, however all street models have cast wheels. However, we do offer complete spoked (Kreutzspichen) wheel sets for retrofitting.
The shock absorber is attached exclusively to the main frame. By the Monolever concept is very suitable for a single seat converted Bobber conversions.
BMW Paralever Modells
Construction period from 1991 to 1996
A PARALEVER also has only one shock absorber on the right and one arm swing, but this with a joint at the end of the cardan tunnel. The shock absorber is attached directly to the main frame, independently of the rear frame, by means of a welded-on sheet metal profile.
Paralever Models: Straße: R80R 92-96, R100R 94-96, R100R Mystik 94-96 Gabeldurchmesser 41mm Federbeinlänge 475mm Dirt: R80/100GS 87-90, R100GS Paris Dakar 89-90, R80/100GS Paris Dakar 90-96 Fork diameter 40mm, Shock length 495mm |
The Paralever first made its debut on the GS models in 1987, and later on the R80R and R100R street models in 1991. In addition to the new Paralever final drive, these models feature stronger forks (GS models 40mm, R models 41mm) stronger brakes (4 piston fixed caliper, GS single sided, R double sided) and spoke wheels.
Who does not like the new tank shape of the Paralever models can adapt the tank of the Monolever.
The main frame was changed in the rear area, the mounting points of the rear frame and the shock differ therefore to the Monolever models.
The shock absorber is attached exclusively to the main frame. Through is also the Paralever concept very well suited to a single seat converted Bobber conversions