Scary Air ride story / Swing arm removal
Scary Air ride story / Swing arm removal
So I have platinum air ride on my bike and have for about 4 years I think. Never had any problems with it other than initial air leaks. Yesterday I was away from home and noticed it wasn't holding as much air as usual. No big deal I thought, I'll just tear it apart when I get home and check all the connections. Jump to my ride home. I'm about a mile from home and the road is rather rough. Suddenly I hit a bump and hear a pop followed by a whoosh and a sudden drop in ride height. I thought oh **** the tire just blew, this is it. I grabbed the bars firmly and prepared for the worst, but nothing happened. I glanced back and noticed the tire was fine, then I hit another bump that made my kidneys feel like they just took a direct hit after drinking all night. It was then I realized i was now riding on the bump stops. Again not that big of deal as I was now in town and my house is just blocks away.
So once I'm home with the bike on the jack, I take a closer look and see what really happened. I think the right shock not holding air was just too much for the left shock to handle. And apparently the left side shock mount had backed out (to what extent I'm not sure) and the pressure from the shock sheared off the bolt. Soooo, I'm left with part of a bolt stuck in my swing arm with no direct access for a drill. Now I'm no stranger to taking my bike apart or drilling out bolts, but I want to make sure before I dive in to this that I'm not doing anything stupid. So does anyone have any tips for removing the swing arm bolt from the frame?
Also, does anyone else always seem to have issues right after they decide to do another mod? i.e. I was on my way back from an Indy discussing installing and tuning a 107 kit on my bike. Just seems like something always happens at the most inconvenient times.
So once I'm home with the bike on the jack, I take a closer look and see what really happened. I think the right shock not holding air was just too much for the left shock to handle. And apparently the left side shock mount had backed out (to what extent I'm not sure) and the pressure from the shock sheared off the bolt. Soooo, I'm left with part of a bolt stuck in my swing arm with no direct access for a drill. Now I'm no stranger to taking my bike apart or drilling out bolts, but I want to make sure before I dive in to this that I'm not doing anything stupid. So does anyone have any tips for removing the swing arm bolt from the frame?
Also, does anyone else always seem to have issues right after they decide to do another mod? i.e. I was on my way back from an Indy discussing installing and tuning a 107 kit on my bike. Just seems like something always happens at the most inconvenient times.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Omaha
Schaub, it's good that you were only a short distance from home.
I'm never than lucky, I would have been hours from home.
Also when I have problems like this it seems to happen after I've dropped a ton of coin on an upgrade and then I don't have the funds to fix the problem.
Your problem is why I'm upgrading my stock suspension with Progressive 422 RAPs.
I know I won't get the "Cadillac" ride that everyone raves about, but they are $700 cheaper than the best air ride system and from the reviews do provide an enhanced ride over stock.
Ride safe Brother.....
I'm never than lucky, I would have been hours from home.
Also when I have problems like this it seems to happen after I've dropped a ton of coin on an upgrade and then I don't have the funds to fix the problem.
Your problem is why I'm upgrading my stock suspension with Progressive 422 RAPs.
I know I won't get the "Cadillac" ride that everyone raves about, but they are $700 cheaper than the best air ride system and from the reviews do provide an enhanced ride over stock.
Ride safe Brother.....
Last edited by Bluraven; Apr 26, 2014 at 11:26 PM.
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