Air shock oil change

[zoom45]

I changed the oil in my air shocks today. I put 15wt oil in them. It only had about 60ml in each shock but I put 105ml in each one. It rides like a new bike. I didn't realize how bad it had gotten.
Zoom45

[id-man]

Huh, we can change the oil in our air shocks? My 2004 1500 bottoms out on dips when 2-up and I thought my only option was to add more air....

[alangoff]

love to hear how you did it...

[talon]

Just replaced my stock air shocks on my 05 Nomad. No one ever said they could be fixed, instead of replaced. How hard is it cause I still have them in the garage.

[Peg]

Gadget's site has a very good write-up... Easy job, and like the OP I had excellent results on my Nomad (I always said it was better than the Progressive shocks I installed on the previous two bikes). Just make sure it's quality oil (I used Belray), and either 15W or 20W depending on the state of your riding roads. I went 15W, (our roads down here are rough) and the ride became buttery smooth, transformed the bike.

Kaw put 10W oil in there OEM, and that was just another one of those mistakes we see from Kaw more often than we like.

I'll be changing out the Voyager shock oil before long too.

[talon]

Thanks for the info Peg. I just bought and installed Progressive 412s on my Nomad. Might have just repaired the stock ones if I had known. The bike is handling great, but a little rougher ride. Not too bad. But I may hold onto the stock shocks for future possibilities.

[zoom45]

Gadgits article is what I followed. I used the hose clamps to compress the spring. My auto spring compressor was too big to grip the spring. I used a big 60 ml syringe to measure and add the fluid. I had a clear plastic tube to connect the syringe to the valve on the shocks. Heat the tube with a heat gun and stretch it to fit over the stem for a leak free transfer, Its an easy job.

[macmac]

Originally Posted by id-man

Huh, we can change the oil in our air shocks? My 2004 1500 bottoms out on dips when 2-up and I thought my only option was to add more air....

You can take them apart and renew all the wearing parts in fact...... I just learned of this maybe 1 year ago. I have not yet done it.

I like to be a pain too...... there is no T in W and there is no wt no WT that W stands for Winter, and means the viscosity of the oil stated in WINTER. There is a T in winter

[Silent Sam]

...Good info...as for winter...I am a deserter ! I payed the price for hangin out in winter country..if it's forcast to be close to freezing..I buy a ticket to Montevideo

[id-man]

Originally Posted by zoom45

Gadgits article is what I followed. I used the hose clamps to compress the spring. My auto spring compressor was too big to grip the spring. I used a big 60 ml syringe to measure and add the fluid. I had a clear plastic tube to connect the syringe to the valve on the shocks. Heat the tube with a heat gun and stretch it to fit over the stem for a leak free transfer, Its an easy job.

Hey Zoom, nice tip about the tubing. When I read Gadget's article it started to lose me when describing how to get the old oil out, repeated compressing and draining, it began to sound complicated and lengthy. How hard was that for you? Is it hard to pump the piston back and forth, are you reasonably confident you got most of the old stuff out, etc? Thanks.

[zoom45]

Once you get the spring off its easy. You can either pump it by moving the shock in and out by hand or use the syringe to draw it out. Nothing to it. Just have a good seal on the tube or it could get messy. Once you remove the valve core the shock will move easily just make sure to protect your eyes in case it sprays out.

[id-man]

sweet. Looks like a project for asap.

[Silent Sam]

Be sure to up-date us id-man, I may be next !

[id-man]

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

Be sure to up-date us id-man, I may be next !

I'll do that Sam. I want to get the bike as comfy as possible for Laconia in a little over 2 weeks. It's only 3-some hours each way but I'm using it as incentive to get a whole checklist of maintenance and upgrades completed. I'll be doing clutch spring, brake pads and new tires too. It would be a piece of cake if this weren't happening at the apex of my busiest work season. While doing the tires I'll have the whole butt end of the bike apart making it the ideal time to do the shocks. Warning though, if I am running too tight on time I may just shove the max load of 43lbs air in the shocks and see how that holds me. I haven't even tried that yet as it requires borrowing someone else's no-loss pump and I've been too busy to drive over there when he's home (freakin WORK). I think I'm at 30 lbs now. It's not doing the job.

[macmac]

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

...Good info...as for winter...I am a deserter ! I payed the price for hangin out in winter country..if it's forcast to be close to freezing..I buy a ticket to Montevideo

Oh yeah me too. I used to live in Bartlett NH, bit couldn't take the winters up there anymore so I moved to Tamworth about 15 miles south as the crow flies.

Sunny and warm , just right fer campin pre bug season