Question about replacing stock air compressor with Viair 097c

[Roadster Renovations]

Very well written article and good pictures. I went in from the bottom which required very minimal parts removal. Here is my video for my '14 RT.

 

[tmcquain]

OKAY RYAN,

QUESTION: As the previous poster said, is there another compressor that you make that would fit a little better, or is this the best one for our needs.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Also, if you didn't pull the airbag and bench test it, that may be where the you are losing air. Anyway, the dealer missed it and I had to pull the bag to check the bottom. A rock had rubbed a hole in it. When I checked with the dealer I was told that is a typical problem. Anyway, removing that check valve may shorten the life of the compressor since when it comes on it will have the full pressure in the system to overcome in order to start pumping.

 

[finless]

Doc, didn't you take the pump apart and rotate the output (hose connection) to the other side like the stock pump?

Bob

 

[finless]

Hi All,

Ryan from Viair here. Just so you guys know, the fitting that was removed was the check valve. The check valve is a one-way check valve that prevents back pressure against the compressor. This will also prevent air from leaking out the suspension and out through the compressor.

Please feel free to contact me if you guys have any other questions about our compressors.

Thanks,
Ryan
Viair Corporation

Ryan, there is already a check valve in the suspension system so the one on the pump is not needed.

Bob

 

[Highwayman2013]

I just had my compressor replaced under best warranty and the mechanic at our dealer said it wasn't worth changing the compressor without changing the air bag because that is usually what ruins the compressor.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Doc, didn't you take the pump apart and rotate the output (hose connection) to the other side like the stock pump?

Bob

Yes, I did. The orientation is off 180 degrees for our purposes.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Ryan, there is already a check valve in the suspension system so the one on the pump is not needed.

Bob

Are you sure it's not needed? On the OEM it also had one. Item #61. I know there is a dump valve assy on the side away from the pump, but not aware of a second check valve.

 

[R FUN]

That is a great job with a beautiful explanation. My compressor went out on the North To Alaska trip last year and no compressor available in the Yukon or Alaska. I got the spyder into the motorcycle shop in Alaska and asked them to bypass the compressor, just run a line from the schrade valve to the air bag.
This they did,and on an earlier post someone asked what was involved in doing this which at that time I was not sure. Well, this year my riding buddys compressor went out on his 2012 (same year as mine). He also wanted to get ridd of the compressor so I did it. Anyone interested all that was involved was remove upper right side panel only, remove schrade valve by turning it 1/4 turn it will drop out. Drop rear wheel. You cannot see the fitting on the top of air bag but you can get you hands in there okay. Push on the collar that holds the air hose (with screw driver or whatever) and pull out air hose. Disconect air hose from schrade valve. Go to auto parts or Harbour freight and get about 3 feet of 1/4 inch plastic air line, about 30 cents. Push into fitting on air bag, run it to schrade valve, cut to leangth and install. Air up, about 45lbs riding single, 85lbs double or whatever is comfortable. This works great for me as I had never adjusted the air with the switch. Now it holds perfect at 85lbs for the full season. Also a plus, I bought a air compressor at Fred Myers for $15.00 and it works great and good to carry to inflate a tire in an emergency.
Roger