?Shock Adjustment? - Rear Bottoming Out

[swr1977]

Hello Goldwingers... I have a 1978 - GL1000

How much air-pressure should I have in my shocks? Is there a way to adjust them other then inflating/deflating the amount of air-pressure in them?

Over the past 5-10 rides I've notice that I bottom out more and more. (Only in the back / Front seems fine) It first happened about 2 months ago the first time a road with a passenger, So I thought that maybe they just needed adjusting (more air pressure?) then after adding air to the back I've notice it will bottom out with only me riding and I don't have but just a very few things (weight) in the bags and trunk.

There is no gauge on the back like there is mount on the front forks and a family member told me to check how much was in front and put the same +/- 5lbs in the back. Is that correct? What is the right amount to have front verses back? Can that changed depending on what brand/type of shocks I have? and was air-shocks standard on the 78-GL1000 ? or was this a mod the a PO made to the bike?

[WingAdmin]

The bike does seem to look like it's sitting a little low in back.

It's possible that the springs are just tired out. You can keep increasing air pressure to try to compensate, but at some point it's going to exceed the capability of the shock and will just blow out the seals when you hit a big bump.

Replacing the springs or the entire shocks is the normal solution. I know when I replaced my rear shocks on my GL1100, the back end of the bike sat up a good inch and a half from where it was sitting with the old, tired shocks. It transformed how the bike handled, as lifting the back end will change the geometry of the front forks/wheel, giving you less trail and subsequently faster steering.

[swr1977]

What am I looking at price $$$ wise ? and what springs do you recommend ?

[WingAdmin]

What am I looking at price $$$ wise ? and what springs do you recommend ?

I can't really make a recommendation for the GL1000, not having had the opportunity to replace a set on one. I can tell you that I was impressed enough with the Progressive 416's I put on my GL1100 that I put a set on my GL1500 as well.

[swr1977]

I can't really make a recommendation for the GL1000, not having had the opportunity to replace a set on one. I can tell you that I was impressed enough with the Progressive 416's I put on my GL1100 that I put a set on my GL1500 as well.

Thanks! Where did you purchase the "Progressive 416's" ? and how much did they cost you? Did you install them yourself?

Do you have any idea what the correct air pressure is? I can't find anything about air-shocks in the manual!

Also ... were air-shocks standard on the 78-GL1000 ? or was this a mod the a PO made to the bike?

[swr1977]

I these pics are the right rear shock. I think it says SW Mark II or III

[WingAdmin]

I can't really make a recommendation for the GL1000, not having had the opportunity to replace a set on one. I can tell you that I was impressed enough with the Progressive 416's I put on my GL1100 that I put a set on my GL1500 as well.

Thanks! Where did you purchase the "Progressive 416's" ? and how much did they cost you? Did you install them yourself?

They were around $320 for the pair, came from http://cyclemax.com and I sure did put them in myself - you can see the pictures here: How to remove and replace your rear shocks

[swr1977]

They were around $320 for the pair, came from http://cyclemax.com and I sure did put them in myself - you can see the pictures here: How to remove and replace your rear shocks

Thanks for the info and links!

[Jpoole510]

Was this a mod the a PO made to the bike?

Air shocks were not OEM on ‘78 GL1000.

[swr1977]

Was this a mod the a PO made to the bike?

Air shocks were not OEM on ‘78 GL1000.

Thanks... Yes I've figured that out since this post... Also if anyone is wondering I've never charged the socks or springs... 45-50 lbs in front & 55-60 lbs rear works great for two up riding!

[dingdong]

I think that is way to much pressure for the front. The 1000 forks weren't designed for air. Someone has probably added air valves to the original fork tubes. Which will work but not with pressures that high. The gl1100 fork tubes were designed for air and the air pressure is rated at 12 to 21 lbs. 45 lbs will surely blow your seals.

[swr1977]

I think that is way to much pressure for the front. The 1000 forks weren't designed for air. Someone has probably added air valves to the original fork tubes. Which will work but not with pressures that high. The gl1100 fork tubes were designed for air and the air pressure is rated at 12 to 21 lbs. 45 lbs will surely blow your seals.

Thanks for the warning! It's had that in it ever since I got it and I haven't had any problems yet.