Air ride system

[Mikel53]

I have noticed that my air ride system seems to "relax" when I stop. Is this normal? When you take off again it seems to stiffen up.

 

[Garrett]

Mike I have the exact same Ride even color. Mine does the same

 

[robmorg]

I believe that system is constantly adjusting as it attempts to maintain the degree of firmness you have selected with the rocker switch.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Completely normal.

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually, it adjusts for ride height; not ride stiffness...
(Even though the two are pretty much dependent upon one-another!)

 

[retread]

If you mean, when you release the brake, it's the torque reaction between the rear brake and the swingarm. The caliper stops the disc, which causes the swingarm to lift slightly at the front pivot. When the brake is released, to drops back to normal.

john

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

I believe that system is constantly adjusting as it attempts to maintain the degree of firmness you have selected with the rocker switch.

Actually, it adjusts for ride height; not ride stiffness...
(Even though the two are pretty much dependent upon one-another!)

Yeah, and it's the primary reason why the air compressor dies a pre-mature death.

 

[finless]

Yeah, and it's the primary reason why the air compressor dies a pre-mature death.

No actually it dies fast if your air bag is leaking. Makes the compressor work way too much.

Bob

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Leaks in the system are NEVER a good thing... nojoke

 

[Scotts8826]

So, how do you tell if your system has an air leak or is adjusting as normal?

 

[finless]

So, how do you tell if your system has an air leak or is adjusting as normal?

Go for a ride.....
Park and lift the seat and put an air pressure gauge on the Schrader valve under your seat and read the pressure.
Come out the next day and read the pressure. It should not have change more that 1-2 PSI max (accounting for temp change).
A clear sign of a leaking bag is if you come out and pressure is nill or dropped a lot.

FYI, I can come out days later and the pressure reading is about the same as when I parked.
I have FOBO and a sensor on the shock air bag so I can see instantly if it has changed.

Bob

 

[finless]

One more comment on maintenance of the air bag...

When I detail my Spyder about once every 3-4 months, I use a food grade 100% silicon spray and I basically lube the air bag. It is rubber after all and with the road salts and grime it can get pretty nasty... This is not good for rubber. Thus I basically service it and keep it from drying out.... When washing the Spyder I use a hose to flush out my rear fender (you would be surprised how much DIRT flushes out of there) and the shock and air bag... Once done detailing, I use the silicon spray and lube it up.

Bob

 

[Scotts8826]

Thanks, Bob, for your quick and helpful reply.