Shocking!

[DigDug]

This one happened on the M27 going in to Pompey - wedged itself under the loop so he was very lucky.

[kejj]

So old escort dampers look like this:

[Timbo]

There was a similar problem with Hagons a few years back. They replaced or repaired them. Norman what model is your Airhawk and how do you get on with it?

[Nerdy Norm]

The Airhawk is a Cruiser 2 Small Pillion, the size is perfect for a Lambretta seat. I bought it a few weeks ago in an effort to stop the constant complaints from my wife about comfort on the back. She says it's a lot better, but I don't think anything can alleviate the discomfort of the hard ridge at the back of a Lambretta seat (especially with a broken shock!).

[Doom Patrol]

So old escort dampers look like this:

Yes, that's the old style.

[Nerdy Norm]

That looks like mine, but difficult to tell now it's broken.

Edit: Looking again at the broken shock photo, mine did have the silver collar/nut above the spring retaining plate, so I guess that makes it a newer one. Having checked my paperwork, it's actually older than I remembered, coming on my newly-restored scooter in November 2012. Still only done around 2000km though.

[Adam_Winstone]

Yes, with the newer ones having a nut visible below the top eye but above the spring retaining plate.

[Doom Patrol]

Looks like the new ones get stressed there for some reason. Possibly the rod allows them to twist, I don't know. It would need an engineer to look at it. Realistically though the market is flooded with Escorts and complaining won't help in the short term. The only thing we can do is be aware of the problem and use something else.

[Nerdy Norm]

Yep, I've emailed them anyway (just to ease my conscience if nothing else), but I've already voted with my wallet.