Rear shock oil leak?

[coot]

Moved Nomad from garage two days ago to find oil on floor near starboard side rear air shock. Checked air pressure with zero loss pump and it still held normal 15 lb psi. Found oil on tire, bottom of swing arm, and lower shock bolt. Appears to be shock seal leak.

Question: 1. Is it possible to lose oil and not lose air?
2. Is oil and air in same chamber?
3. If oil seal is leaking, can I replace seal.
4. If seal can be replaced, how do I replace oil?
5. Parts fiche shows seals at mounting bolts. Is
this correct?

Would appreciate any suggestions. Bike is an 06 with 10k miles.

[Eppic2]

Btw my bike is 2004 Nomad

[Peg]

FWIW, my opinion is that the OEM shocks aren't up to much in the first place, and a trip of that distance with one performing less than it should do won't really be noticeable. Even a complete loss of oil would simply reduce the damping effect and cause that shock to "pogo" a bit more than it did before. No amount of extra air will make any difference, and the second shock operating to its (limited) potential will make up to some extent.

I've rejuvenated OEM shocks with heavier weight quality oil for first my Nomad, and later my Voyager, and while they were both improved, neither bike was really up to the task - especially for the goat-tracks we call roads down here. Long term, the much better option is to replace them with aftermarket shocks.

Progressive or Steel Tracker do very good value off-the-shelf options... I'm fortunate to have NZ's best bike shock shop in my city, so replaced the OEM's with a set of Öhlins shocks built specially for my bike... Night & day difference.

No air to pump up, no changes to make between one-up / two-up with baggage, and a butter-smooth ride whatever the load.

[Eppic2]

Originally Posted by Peg

FWIW, my opinion is that the OEM shocks aren't up to much in the first place, and a trip of that distance with one performing less than it should do won't really be noticeable. Even a complete loss of oil would simply reduce the damping effect and cause that shock to "pogo" a bit more than it did before. No amount of extra air will make any difference, and the second shock operating to its (limited) potential will make up to some extent.

I've rejuvenated OEM shocks with heavier weight quality oil for first my Nomad, and later my Voyager, and while they were both improved, neither bike was really up to the task - especially for the goat-tracks we call roads down here. Long term, the much better option is to replace them with aftermarket shocks.

Progressive or Steel Tracker do very good value off-the-shelf options... I'm fortunate to have NZ's best bike shock shop in my city, so replaced the OEM's with a set of Öhlins shocks built specially for my bike... Night & day difference.

No air to pump up, no changes to make between one-up / two-up with baggage, and a butter-smooth ride whatever the load.

Paul...thanks a lot for your insight and experience. I will be traveling with 3 brothers so I will have good company as I watch my drips. I will attempt to keep the air pressures the same and likely return the expensive 15w Belray oil I just bought.

[recumbentbob]

I'd go on the trip. I would put the same air pressure in both shocks. Less oil in 1 will only affect the dampening of that shock. Doubt you will even notice it.

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