Don Parham Suspension

[Mike484]

Does anyone have a Don Parham suspension for sale? What do you think of this mod, does it improve the RAF? Any info or pictures would be appreciated.

 

[cgmg]

Mike,

I don't have one for sale, but do have Don's suspension on my RAF. It has saved me from several bad landings, which, with an RAF gear, would have ended up in a rolled gyro.

The wider wheel base, along with the shocks, makes the machine more friendly landing, especially if you touch down with one main first, or a little harder than you should have.

There is a caveat to the Parham suspension, and Larry Boyer has also mentioned it. On takeoff, the cabin will tilt a little to one side or the other, as the blades load up, and the weight on the gear lessens. It feels really weird until you get used to it. It feels like you're about to roll over sideways, at least that what it used to feel like to me. I'm still aware of it happening, but don't get that pucker factor any more, as I know as soon as the wheels fully break ground, it'll stop.

I don't have time to resize my pictures yet, but will try to post some tonight, if no one else beats me to it.

 

[Minnesota_Mike]

Hello CMG...<Mark>

Question...
Would increasing the length of travel <on the leaning side> of suspension, while keeping the other the same decrease that pronounced lean any as blade loading begins?
Could you please PM <or post here> a photo of your suspension so I could gleem it's method of consturction?
Don sent me a set of plans for his Tandem machine and I like the suspension on that...just wondering how your set up might be different.
I'm now looking at a couple of variations for mine right now.
Thank You.
M-M

 

[Mike Stone]

Mike...
Believe it or not, before I went to the drop keel design, John Clarke fabricated a Don Parham suspension clone for my RAF. The majority of it is sitting in the shelves right behind where we had our chapter meeting last Saturday. All the remaining brackets, etc. are scattered around in boxes and on the tables. I will have to find some pictures of the installation or at least John’s cadd drawing of it. John spec’d out the shocks the same as the original.
…Mike

 

[lanichol]

The wider wheel base, along with the shocks, makes the machine more friendly landing, especially if you touch down with one main first, or a little harder than you should have.

Mark,

I watched yours being built. The first RAF I looked at had tipped over from a broken axle and wheel. It left a big impression. It was probably one of the reasons the original owner of your kit installed the Parham mod.

I liked the fact that the axle is not longer solid and is hinged in the center. If I remember correctly the shocks were adjustable and I would be interested in what setting your are using.

 

[Mike484]

Does this mod raise the machine any? The SparrowHawk mod raises it too much for me but I would like to have it raised some.

 

[Minnesota_Mike]

SHOCKS....
I priced the 730Lb. adjustable/coil over, dual chamber hydraulic shocks Don was using. <he posted the details some time ago...in the archives now> about $63- a pair.

#1700-236 or the #1700-246 if I'm not mistaken.

In case anyone needs them...Here's the the link:
http://www.gokartgalaxy.com/shock_absorbers.htm

Or these from Northern- but I'm not certain these are as good as the above.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_22932_22932

 

[TJMay]

Is Don Parham still around? Is is suspension still available and if so, where?

Thanks,
Tommy

 

[cgmg]

Mike,

Here's some suspension pics. It doesn't change the height of the gyro. I'm also using the stiffest position on the shock.

Don is still around, but he is not making the suspension any more.

 

[Mike484]

Thanks for the help guys, and the pictures are great.

 

[CLS447]

That middle axle section is different than the ones I have seen !

I've seen a solid middle section with swivel joints outside of the two solid brackets.

 

[Gary_in_Orygun]

My Don Parham gear mod was one of the best things I did to my RAF. As far as the tippy feeling on takeoff, I found this to be useful feedback on how the machine was going to lift off on takeoff. As the machine gets light on the gear you can feel if you need left or right stick to keep the machine level prior to takeoff.

I was probably also saved by the gear once when I was landing in a 14 knt crosswind, and "firmly" planted the upwind gear on the ground first. I can't imagine what that landing result would have been like with the original gear.

My middle section of the gear is different than shown in the above pictures. I'll look for a closeup of my setup.

 

[TJMay]

Repeat question-

Is Don Parham still around?

Is his mod still available and if so, where?

Tommy

 

[Mike484]

Post #9

Don is still around, but he is not making the suspension any more.

 

[CLS447]

I don't have Don's ....oops I do !

918-823-4610 Phone number.

Don is a great guy & he did my 2.5 ECU harness for me. I wished I could make him proud & get her up & flying.

He has a great book on the FI system for sale & other things. If he doesn't make the suspension anymore , he would probably be able to get you drawings or tell you how to get it done. Call Him !!!!!

SUPPORT HIM !!! He has been supporting us for a long time !!!

 

[dragonflyerthom]

If you buy those 12 inch shock you will need to put a sleeve on them for the proper length. Other than that should work well. The pivot in the mains is billet aluminum with two inserts where cut. Pretty simple to make.

 

[Mike484]

Thanks for all the help. Does anyone have the drawings/plans on this? I waqs also directed to Ron Menzie's site where he did a write up on it where he called it the "Soft Touch Landing Gear".

http://www.ronsgyros.com/Technical.html

Now I have another mod to do.

 

[TJMay]

I spoke with Don Parham recently and he suggested that I contact Kevin Richey. He believes Kevin created drawings of his mod which is very similar to his.

Anyone know Kevin Richey and how to get in touch with him?

Tommy

 

[Gary_in_Orygun]

Yes

 

[Mike484]

It would be great to get the drawings. With the sounds of it this is a very good mod to have.