Rear suspension air line to Schraeder valve - what size line & fittings?

[Bartlynne]

Would like to run air line directly to air bag from Schrader valve. What size air line and fittings do I need? 2012 Spyder Ft. Thank you.

[safecracker]

You can use existing hardware, just need to get longer air line. Bruce

[RayBJ]

I added a 6 inch extension to the existing valve and leave it attached for easy access.

[larryd]

1/4" OD air line

[EdMat]

This is a great place to buy fitting, tubing, etc. in bulk, if you can use that many.

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc...hermoplastic)#

[CopperSpyder]

1/8 npt fitting and the air line is 1/4 OD

[Mikey]

I believe I took the line from the bag out of the dump valve and the line from the schraeder out of the dump valve and just put a coupling in there! Pumped it up slowly, tested with soapy water! The max psi for bag is 90 lb, I use between 65-75 for the bride and me, depending on if we are traveling, then a little more!!

[Bartlynne]

Thank you for the reply's

[NoFlyZone]

Air suspension not working - 2015 RTS

I recently bought this used bike and now discovered the air suspension doesn't seem to work. Grrr, I'm a little bummed.
I have read some posts here about the problems and will have to read some more. I don't want to put a bunch more money in it, so I may look into what's involved with converting it to a manual system. I have read that some have gone that route. Are there any "how to" articles written. Hopefully with pics or even better a video?
I'm fairly handy with tools, but not sure where to start or if this is even something I can tackle.
Thanks all, happy to be here, just wish it wasn't with a problem already. LOL.

[Jdr00ejr]

I recently bought this used bike and now discovered the air suspension doesn't seem to work. Grrr, I'm a little bummed.
I have read some posts here about the problems and will have to read some more. I don't want to put a bunch more money in it, so I may look into what's involved with converting it to a manual system. I have read that some have gone that route. Are there any "how to" articles written. Hopefully with pics or even better a video?
I'm fairly handy with tools, but not sure where to start or if this is even something I can tackle.
Thanks all, happy to be here, just wish it wasn't with a problem already. LOL.

Easiest thing to do is to replace the rear shock with one that is much better - Elka, M2, etc. and unplug the compressor altogether. I've done this for quite a few customers. Historically I would go with an Elka Stage 4 shock configured for the customer at hand. I'm likely going with an M2 or similar going forward. Nothing wrong with the Elkas I've used in the past - just VERY happy with the M2 setup.

[NoFlyZone]

1/8 npt fitting and the air line is 1/4 OD

Sorry if this is a dumb question... The parts diagram says the line is 4.32mm, would that be the ID? (1/4" would be about 6mm).
Thanks.

[Mikey]

Sorry if this is a dumb question... The parts diagram says the line is 4.32mm, would that be the ID? (1/4" would be about 6mm).
Thanks.

If you are in question on the correct size hose or fittings to use, just cut off a piece of your hose and take it to a good auto supply house, or a truck center, they will get you what you need. Depending how you're planning on going about it, it will not cost much. Good Luck! You will be very pleased with the outcome. Make sure you do a bubble/leak check with soapy water after you're done!!

[NoFlyZone]

If you are in question on the correct size hose or fittings to use, just cut off a piece of your hose and take it to a good auto supply house, or a truck center, they will get you what you need. Depending how you're planning on going about it, it will not cost much. Good Luck! You will be very pleased with the outcome. Make sure you do a bubble/leak check with soapy water after you're done!!

Thank you. I'm going to dig into it next week and hopefully get it converted to manual.

[Mikey]

Thank you. I'm going to dig into it next week and hopefully get it converted to manual.

It looks like a big deal, but it REALLY isn't!!! Good luck!

[Lew L]

.

Clean before you pull it apart. It's really dirty down there. Did mine years ago and no leaks. Lasts for months and only adjust when my wonderful wife rides with me.

Lew L

[NoFlyZone]

I believe I took the line from the bag out of the dump valve and the line from the schraeder out of the dump valve and just put a coupling in there! Pumped it up slowly, tested with soapy water! The max psi for bag is 90 lb, I use between 65-75 for the bride and me, depending on if we are traveling, then a little more!!

Update on my non-working auto air system. I did exactly as Mikey suggested. Before starting I had on hand some new 1/4 OD air hose and a DOT approved coupler. I put new hose from the Schrader valve to the coupler. I couldn't get to the airbag to replace that hose. I also found the core in the Schrader valve was leaking a little too. I disconnected the electric wires to the dump valve but couldn't get the connector on the compressor without removing the whole rear luggage section. Anyway, after doing this, I put in 45 psi, and it is still holding pressure. My little battery-operated bicycle pump with auto shut off worked perfectly to set the pressure.
I haven't ridden it yet, but I will tomorrow. Can't wait as I haven't ridden it with a working airbag yet. Thanks Mikey and others who chimed in to make this a much easier job.

[davev1pa]

is it possible to use the push to connect fittings or did you use the compression type fittings?

[NoFlyZone]

is it possible to use the push to connect fittings or did you use the compression type fittings?

I used push in style, DOT approved type. Here is a link to the one I bought.
https://a.co/d/3FfEUJs

[davev1pa]

That's a great connection... now a question... mine is an RT base, so no weird compressor stuff and no dump valve nonsense... the airbag sits in the front of the shock.... how is the air hose connected to the air bag? Where was yours leaking exactly? What mechanism is used to put the hose in and hold it in place in the air bag itself. I've used push to connect fitting for my trailer many times. I see a diagram with an elbow that is the connection point between the Schrader valve and the airbag... but it's the airbag fitting itself that I'm concerned with... Thank you

[Peter Aawen]

That's a great connection... now a question... mine is an RT base, so no weird compressor stuff and no dump valve nonsense... the airbag sits in the front of the shock.... how is the air hose connected to the air bag? Where was yours leaking exactly? What mechanism is used to put the hose in and hold it in place in the air bag itself. I've used push to connect fitting for my trailer many times. I see a diagram with an elbow that is the connection point between the Schrader valve and the airbag... but it's the airbag fitting itself that I'm concerned with... Thank you

If it's still got the OEM Plumbing, then the air-line runs straight from the Schraeder Valve & pushes into the TOP of the air bag via a push to connect fitting.

[Mikey]

That's a great connection... now a question... mine is an RT base, so no weird compressor stuff and no dump valve nonsense... the airbag sits in the front of the shock.... how is the air hose connected to the air bag? Where was yours leaking exactly? What mechanism is used to put the hose in and hold it in place in the air bag itself. I've used push to connect fitting for my trailer many times. I see a diagram with an elbow that is the connection point between the Schrader valve and the airbag... but it's the airbag fitting itself that I'm concerned with... Thank you

Do you have a leak? What are you trying to do? The air bag has a push fitting on it, the whole system uses that style fitting. A good batch of soapy water and a spray bottles your friend for finding a leak! And if you're trying to disconnect a fitting clean the fitting and hose really good before you try to unhook it, that way you'll be able to reuse the fitting when done.