Rear suspension failure - AGAIN ! Sad day.

[KIC]

I sit here really disappointed in my 89. All packed and ready to go a a great ride and when pulling out at 4:45am with my wife to meet the group, the rear end started dragging. basically got out of the driveway and had to turn around and pull back in. It appears to be some type of shock failure again. I just tore the thing apart no to long ago and replaced the shock with the one from my 87. I believe the first issue was with the CLASS system and not the shock. Maybe the same this time although I do not know how to figure out if it is the shock or the CLASS. The CLASS appears to pump up but doesn't really lift the rear that much. In fact when I pump up the rear, the front seems to raise and get very stiff. I can let the air out of the front using the CLASS.

 

I will try to work on the CLASS solenoids and see if there is some type of issue there again. I do not relish the idea of tearing the rear apart again to replace the rear shock again. If I do... it will have to be with a new one and I am not sure where to even start with figuring that part out and the $$ it will cost.

 

The worst part is my wife has lost confidence in the bike and it will be hard to get her to commit to a long trip again. Unless I can make the bike reliable. We both took a day off to leave today. Lost $150.00 in hotel cancellations. Lost confidence in the bike. Sad day for me and the Venture.

[Flyinfool]

The first part is still always to crawl under to take a look and figure out what happened.

[bongobobny]

He sort of did, Jeff, see his thread in the watering hole...

[videoarizona]

I mentioned to Bill this morning that there is an issue with using the Class system. Page 2-39 of the service manual has a note: adjust front first, then rear. If reversed, residual high pressure air can leak into front forks. I'm not sure if this was Bills problem with his front getting hard..... But... It could be an issue for anyone of us....

 

The next question would be... Could we accidently put to much air in front shock this way to blow a seal? Would this much residual air pressure be available to do that?

I don't know.... Anyone have a thought?

@KIC, sorry I wasn't in town this morning to help. You know I love getting grease under the nails!!

Hope your 1st gen is back on two happy feet!!

[bongobobny]

Hey KIC, are YOU the reason when I went out this afternoon I found a flat on the rear of my car?? It was fine yesterday...

[KIC]

Hey KIC, are YOU the reason when I went out this afternoon I found a flat on the rear of my car?? It was fine yesterday...

 

Misery loves company..couldn't get to your bike....

[KIC]

I mentioned to Bill this morning that there is an issue with using the Class system. Page 2-39 of the service manual has a note: adjust front first, then rear. If reversed, residual high pressure air can leak into front forks. I'm not sure if this was Bills problem with his front getting hard..... But... It could be an issue for anyone of us....

 

The next question would be... Could we accidently put to much air in front shock this way to blow a seal? Would this much residual air pressure be available to do that?

I don't know.... Anyone have a thought?

@KIC, sorry I wasn't in town this morning to help. You know I love getting grease under the nails!!

Hope your 1st gen is back on two happy feet!!

 

I took the CLASS apart today again and cleaned all the solenoids check the wiring, disconnected the hoses to see how they worked pumping air etc. It continues to fill the front forks when filling the rear. If I try to release all the air out, the pressure reading will say 6 or 7 lbs put the front forks are pretty stiff. Kinda like I had put Viagra fork oil in it. If I release all the air out of the rear, the front will go down. Since I have progressives I am thinking of just disconnecting the front or maybe figuring out a cut-off valve so there isn't any front air pressure.

 

I tried many different variations of the way Dave showed the manual stated. I think one of the solenoids isn't closing properly.

[bongobobny]

Yup! Sounds like one of the solenoids isn't closing properly...

[cimmer]

I havent put any air into my front forks since installing the Progressive Springs in my 89 VR. I would look at the solenoids as I agree that it sound like the front one isnt closing when you try to pump up the rear.

 

Rick F.