left shock

[Skeldog]

OK my 98 was a challenge but I finally with the help of a friend and some major work got both mufflers lowered and removed the wheel. one thing I noticed that I didn't realize is only the right shock is an air shock-the left side is a spring shock which has leahed oil from it. is that a factory setup?

[DarthJ]

yes, that is indeed the factory setup. the air shock just stiffens it up, the standard handles the load.

[Skeldog]

Ok thanks- and since it's been leaking fluid I'm wondering if that might be the reason the bike would tend to lope- I'd call it on the highway when cruising and the pavement had seams in it unless the air was really up high on the suspension. I'm thinking the fluid may be mostly leaked out and causing a loss of dampening. I'm wondering if I can buy that left shock anywhere close to what it will cost to rebuild it.

[MikeB]

Ok thanks- and since it's been leaking fluid I'm wondering if that might be the reason the bike would tend to lope- I'd call it on the highway when cruising and the pavement had seams in it unless the air was really up high on the suspension. I'm thinking the fluid may be mostly leaked out and causing a loss of dampening. I'm wondering if I can buy that left shock anywhere close to what it will cost to rebuild it.

If you use Ebay, you can probably find one there.
Here is one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/324935055190?f ... SwA1lhtOnH

[Skeldog]

Thanks again for the help and Merry Christmas to all. I contacted that seller about the condition as well as a couple others advertising them. one even mentioned he had one that I assume he was parting out that is pearl white. I'm hoping he has the piece that fastens on the back edge of the fairing that turns out- I have the one on the right but the left one is missing.Whoever worked on this bike in the past apparently used lots of red loctite. you would'nt believe the work it took the remove many of the bolts- from the pins that retain the brake pads to the axle nuts- especially the back one. luckily I had a friend come over and with a 1/2 " breaker bar with a cheater pipe on it I wasn't sure it would come loose before the socket cracked but it did.

[MikeB]

The trick to removing fasteners that are secured with red thread locker is heat. I do not know the temperature where the thread locker releases but 500 degrees Fahrenheit comes to mind.

As you probably already know, the blue thread locker only requires normal hand tools.

Also, do not use thread locker near ABS plastic. It will crystallize the plastic.