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CourseMotorcycles & 2-Wheelers Applications open

Rear shock absorber and progressive link course

Online course of 300 hours in rear shock absorbers and progressive linkages. 6 modules covering rear suspension kinematics, the rear shock, linkage systems, setup, diagnosis and rebuilding, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain rear suspension kinematics.

02

Calculate leverage ratios and progression.

03

Describe how a rear shock works internally.

04

Compare linkage systems from different manufacturers.

05

Set sag and hydraulic adjustments.

06

Diagnose and rebuild shock absorbers.

07

Design a rear suspension configuration.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Suspension technicians working on road, off-road and competition motorcycles.
  • Chassis engineers interested in swingarm and linkage kinematics.
  • Race mechanics responsible for trackside rear setup.
  • Motorcycle mechanics expanding into suspension work.
  • Shock dyno technicians.
  • Track bike builders and preparers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter suspension workshops.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding ability: vocabulary)
  • ISO 9129 (motorcycles: measurement of moments of inertia)
  • ISO 9130 (motorcycles: measurement of centre of gravity location)
  • ISO 6725 (motorcycle dimensions: terms and definitions)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 (vehicle construction and general requirements for L-category vehicles)
  • FIM technical regulations (technical rules for motorcycle racing)
  • SolidWorks Motion
  • MSC Adams
  • BikeSim
  • SolidWorks
  • Roehrig Engineering Shock Dyno Software
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1The swingarm and its geometry
  2. 1.2Monoshock versus twin shocks
  3. 1.3Leverage ratio
  4. 1.4Progression of the suspension system
  5. 1.5Anti-squat and traction
  6. 1.6Swingarm pivot height
  7. 1.7Wheel and shock travel
  8. 1.8Influence on weight distribution
  9. 1.9Historical evolution of systems
  10. 1.10Workshop: calculating the leverage ratio
  1. 2.1Body, shaft and piston
  2. 2.2Spring and preload
  3. 2.3Compression and rebound valves
  4. 2.4Separate or integrated reservoir
  5. 2.5Pressurised nitrogen gas
  6. 2.6High- and low-speed compression
  7. 2.7Hydraulic preload adjustment
  8. 2.8Factory semi-active shocks
  9. 2.9Periodic maintenance and oil change
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: disassembling a shock with reservoir
  1. 3.1Pro-Link, Uni-Trak and Full Floater systems
  2. 3.2Variable-length dog bones
  3. 3.3Progression diagrams
  4. 3.4Changing rear ride height
  5. 3.5Needle bearings
  6. 3.6Lubrication of pivots
  7. 3.7System stiffness
  8. 3.8Racing links
  9. 3.9Influence on traction
  10. 3.10Lab: plotting the ratio curve with software
  1. 4.1Static and rider sag
  2. 4.2Choosing the spring for the rider's weight
  3. 4.3Compression adjustment
  4. 4.4Rebound adjustment
  5. 4.5Rear height and geometry
  6. 4.6Setup for the tyre
  7. 4.7Rear setup for the circuit
  8. 4.8Recording changes
  9. 4.9Comparative tests with the rider
  10. 4.10Case study: setting up a rear end that loses traction
  1. 5.1Oil loss
  2. 5.2Gas loss
  3. 5.3Noises and play
  4. 5.4Bushing wear
  5. 5.5Damaged linkage bearings
  6. 5.6Revalving for use and weight
  7. 5.7Shock dyno
  8. 5.8Interpreting force-velocity graphs
  9. 5.9Warranty on work carried out
  10. 5.10Case study: rebuilding an adventure bike shock
  1. 6.1Defining the motorcycle and its use
  2. 6.2Kinematic analysis of the swingarm
  3. 6.3Shock selection
  4. 6.4Link design or selection
  5. 6.5Defining settings
  6. 6.6Test plan for the rear assembly
  7. 6.7Cost and maintenance plan
  8. 6.8Rear suspension technical data sheet
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks Motion, MSC Adams, BikeSim, SolidWorks and Roehrig Engineering Shock Dyno Software, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for swingarm kinematic analysis, force-velocity testing on the dyno and rear suspension setup on track. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 8855, ISO 9129, ISO 9130, ISO 6725, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014, FIM technical regulations.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 8855, ISO 9129 and ISO 9130 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:SolidWorks Motion, MSC Adams, BikeSim, SolidWorks and Roehrig Engineering Shock Dyno Software, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a rear suspension design and setup project for a specific motorcycle and use, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Swingarm kinematics
Analyse the swingarm kinematics and leverage ratio of the chosen motorcycle.
Shock selection
Select the rear shock and spring for the rider and intended use.
Link design
Design or select the link to achieve the target progression.
Setup and testing
Define the settings and the test plan for the rear assembly.
Final project
A rear suspension data sheet with cost and maintenance plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Suspension technicianChassis engineerRace mechanicMotorcycle mechanicShock dyno technicianTrack bike preparer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with SolidWorks Motion, MSC Adams, BikeSim, SolidWorks and Roehrig Engineering Shock Dyno Software, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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