'82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.

newomij · Post by **newomij** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 9:35 pm

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 · Post by **RBGERSON** » Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:04 am

Rebuild the shocks. I'd check the air valve, hose connections etc. for leaks first but if you don't find the leak =rebuild.

Post by **WingAdmin** » Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:46 am

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 · Post by **newomij** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 8:01 am

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)?

Post by **WingAdmin** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 10:45 am

newomij 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)?

I replaced the whole shock - springs and all. They came from Cyclemax

newomij · Post by **newomij** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:32 pm

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 · Post by **RBGERSON** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:29 am

right here

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=27146

profneilwalker · Post by **profneilwalker** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 10:46 am

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 · Post by **newomij** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 10:36 pm

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.

Profneilwalker - how did you do the shock rebuild?

'82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.

'82 Aspencade air shocks bottom out.

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