'82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
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- newomij
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:12 pm
- Location: Kenmore
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A Aspencade
'82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
The rear air suspension on my '82 Aspencade has been bottoming out with my light weight wife on the back. The system has a slow leak evidenced by the need to refill the shocks a couple times a week and daily on longer rides. How do I fix this issue?
- RBGERSON
- Posts: 3072
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:57 am
- Location: SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Motorcycle: 98 SE GL 1500
had every year from 75 to 83
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
Rebuild the shocks. I'd check the air valve, hose connections etc. for leaks first but if you don't find the leak =rebuild.
HAD LOTS OF GOLDWING 75-83
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 18747
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (wife's!)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
If the shocks are original, the springs may just be tired and worn out. My GL1100 (with original shocks) was like this. I replaced them with a set of Progressive 416's, and the bike sat up a good inch and a half taller at the back as it was restored to the correct (original) suspension height. This also obviously fixed my air leak and oil seal problems.
- newomij
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:12 pm
- Location: Kenmore
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A Aspencade
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
Admin. When you say you replaced the springs with Progressive 416's, did you replace the inner springs in the original shocks or did you replace the whole shock? Where did you purchase them (which ever you purchased, shocks or springs)?
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 18747
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (wife's!)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
I replaced the whole shock - springs and all. They came from Cyclemaxnewomij wrote:Admin. When you say you replaced the springs with Progressive 416's, did you replace the inner springs in the original shocks or did you replace the whole shock? Where did you purchase them (which ever you purchased, shocks or springs)?
- newomij
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:12 pm
- Location: Kenmore
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A Aspencade
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
Just looked at the cost of new Progressive 416 shocks and I think a rebuild is worth a try. Is there a thread that explains that process or is it as simple as removing the shock, taking it apart, and replacing a couple things. Like springs? There is no indication visible on my shocks of who manufactured them. Just big letters "AIR SUSPENSION".
- RBGERSON
- Posts: 3072
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:57 am
- Location: SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Motorcycle: 98 SE GL 1500
had every year from 75 to 83
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
HAD LOTS OF GOLDWING 75-83
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 8:17 am
- Location: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100 Aspencade
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
I had very much the same problem, also on an 82 Aspencade. Too-soft suspension even at max pressure, and the bike sat very close to vertical on the side stand. I replaced the front and rear springs and seals with Progressives, but I kept the actual shocks. Made a big difference. Much better handling, sits higher, rides great. I highly recommend this. Wasn't too hard to do.
- newomij
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:12 pm
- Location: Kenmore
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A Aspencade
Re: '82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.
Profneilwalker - how did you do the shock rebuild?profneilwalker wrote:I had very much the same problem, also on an 82 Aspencade. Too-soft suspension even at max pressure, and the bike sat very close to vertical on the side stand. I replaced the front and rear springs and seals with Progressives, but I kept the actual shocks. Made a big difference. Much better handling, sits higher, rides great. I highly recommend this. Wasn't too hard to do.