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Are You Familiar with Air Shocks?---UPDATE

Started by Steve K (IA), Tue 23, Jul 2019, 18:12:55

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Steve K (IA)

My shock problems are driving me crazy.  The 440's sprung a leak and gave out.  Went through a Goldie Locks and 3 Bears scenario with Progressive 412 shocks.  First pair with Std springs...too soft.  Bottomed out just sitting on the seat.  Got a pair with HD springs...wayyy to HD!

Put a pair of 416's on that I picked up a few years ago.  64-66 psi seems to work best, but... they leak down to 52 psi within an hour ride.  24 hours they are still holding at 52#'s.  Using soapy water I see no leaks at the air lines.  Will a seal kit fix this?  I understand there is trans fluid in these.  How do you get out whats in there and how much do you put in?
I'm about ready to just buy some 430's.  I think I've figured out which P/N I need, but $500?

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Update.
Done the rebuild of the 416's which is just replacing the seals and pouring 2 oz of ATF in each shock.  It's been 3 days and they are holding air.  They had no oil in them.
Now to get rid of the Progressive springs in the forks.  Got a quote of $130 labor from the Honda shop to change them out...I saved the originals with approx 5000 miles on them.  I hope to restore the ride I bought 19 years ago.  With those springs in the front, the only time it rode okay was riding 2 up.  No passenger anymore.


States I Have Ridden In

98valk

your other post, I provided the progressive pdf files for rebuild and install.
1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C  10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp

"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798

Gondul#408

#2
I've seen a couple of complaints on the 430s as well.
If you are looking for new shocks, take a look at WorxShocks.

They are a reiteration of Works Shocks (who were very well liked) and shut their doors a while ago due to the owner passing away... his daughter has reopened the business under the name WorxShocks.

I added an I/S trunk and the CT was rubbing, I ground down the inner side of the fender and added a washer. If this doesn't stop the rubbing, I'll likely be picking up a set from them.  And considering the OEM shocks are 20+yrs old, they likely need replacing sooner rather than later anway.

I was looking at the Street trackers, steel body, powder coated dual-rate springs, threaded pre-loader, $559 + shipping.

Website isn't much, but they are very responsive via email.
http://www.worxshocks.com/html/home.html
As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion....
John Adams - 1797

Because Thou lovest the Burning-ground,
I have made a Burning-ground of my heart
That Thou, Dark One, hunter of the Burning-ground,
Mayest dance Thy eternal dance.

Bagger John - #3785

I run 416s on my I/S. It has a compressor/bleed valve setup on a custom-built plate which sits inside the fairing. (Yes, Honda, you could have done this...I used your parts almost exclusively.)

The air pressure gauge is a Stewart Warner electrical type, and the sender is connected to the bleed/fill manifold. I can raise or lower the suspension pressure on the go via bar-mounted controls.

The sweet spot for solo riding is about the same as the OP's. Going 2-up (geared-up rider and passenger have a combined weight of ~425lbs), I find 90PSI gives the nicest ride. I don't want to go higher, lest I blow the seals out. Mine will leak down over a period of weeks - not hours - but I'll look at replacement of the seals in the near future nevertheless. These shocks were used when I bought them and they've been on the bike for almost 10 years.

Steve K (IA)

Quote from: Bagger John - #3785 on Wed 24, Jul 2019, 07:10:46
I run 416s on my I/S. It has a compressor/bleed valve setup on a custom-built plate which sits inside the fairing. (Yes, Honda, you could have done this...I used your parts almost exclusively.)

The air pressure gauge is a Stewart Warner electrical type, and the sender is connected to the bleed/fill manifold. I can raise or lower the suspension pressure on the go via bar-mounted controls.

The sweet spot for solo riding is about the same as the OP's. Going 2-up (geared-up rider and passenger have a combined weight of ~425lbs), I find 90PSI gives the nicest ride. I don't want to go higher, lest I blow the seals out. Mine will leak down over a period of weeks - not hours - but I'll look at replacement of the seals in the near future nevertheless. These shocks were used when I bought them and they've been on the bike for almost 10 years.


Okay, I will replace the seals that should solve my problem since I can't detect any leaks at the (new) air line connections.  $25 for seals beats spending $500 on another set of shocks. 
I've got a new set of 412 HD 12" shocks for sale with 32 miles on them......
 

States I Have Ridden In