rear suspension adjuster

[Sand Piper]

I have an 04 Goldwing with a 2008 RS trike kit. it has mounted the rear push bottom suspension ram or what ever it is called to adjust the rear spring. Push the button for up or down and motor on it runs but nothing seems to move. Seems to be a brake or oil line to it but only one line?
How does this thing operate? Bought bike used from a trike shop and they never mentioned that it had this extra cost item.

[jfingalls]

It is done with air pressure and does not really move the bike up or down. It just "harden" or "softens" the ride by increasing or decreasing the air pressure respectively.

[Solidbob]

Well your close, but it works using the stock rear shock hydraulic adjuster, not air on the Roadsmith. This is now also an extra cost item:

Adjustable Pre-LoadThe other suspension option we now offer is an Adjustable Pre-Load system. We tie right into the GL1800's existing suspension adjustment system that's controllable right from the dash. By the push up or down of a button, this system hydraulically pre-loads the fixed springs for various loads, and allows the rider to manually adjust the ride as they see fit. We use high quality Progressive coil over shocks combined with the springs.







This video is on the Roadsmith website...

Just go to the Website and look at HT1800 for your 2008 Kit and check the Kit Options...

And enjoy, you can also Download a complete instruction set online!!! http://www.trikeshop.com/trikes/HT1800

It is possible if they did not check the fluid level in the actuator it could be low on fluid, if that is the case I am not sure you can get access without removing the body... the Roadsmith guys may be by later to give you more info on this unless someone else knows about this on the Roadsmith.

But what it basically does if set at 0 on the dash the trike will lean in corners a lot and the higher the setting the stiffer the springs are compressed so then it doesn't roll as much. Now that's not the only adjustment the Chrome Progressive Shocks are also adjustable to also help control roll, if you notice on the bottom of the shock there are a few notch settings that you can also compress the springs. There is a couple of different tools used to turn the lower chrome part with a spanner wrench, available thru Progressive Shocks or some bike shops. They are hard to turn standing on you head under there, there another spanner that hooks on a 3/8" drive that gives a little more leverage.

My settings are 10-12 on the dash and second notch on the Progressive shock..

if two up and pulling the cargo trailer I bump the Dash up to 20.... Hope all this helps...

[Sand Piper]

Thank you for the info. Actuator piston wont seem to move. Low on fluid or stuck from lack of use? Looks to be to hard to work on to bother with. Motor on pump works but nothing moves.

[Solidbob]

That's why the trike shop you bought it from didn't mention it, they didn't want to fix it / I'd still call them about it not working and see what they offer.. were they a Roadsmith Dealer, if so contact Roadsmith and tell them about your trike shop that sold you a broken trike... doubt I would go back to them for any service... short-cut specialists. If items that are that important are left un-repaired and you were not told... not a very good trike dealer!!!

[Roadsmith Trikes]

A big "thank you" to Solidbob for the excellent explanation (complete with video) on how the Roadsmith adjustable pre-load system works! You keep this up and we may have to put you to work:-) Sand Piper, let us know if you need any additional information and thanks for riding Roadsmith!!

[redjetty]

Thank you for the info. Actuator piston wont seem to move. Low on fluid or stuck from lack of use? Looks to be to hard to work on to bother with. Motor on pump works but nothing moves.

Did you ever get the actuator piston fixed? I've noticed the same on mine,, I cant see it move any when I'm under there ..I just hear the motor on...according the the video, it looks like the shock is moving...mind dont

[Solidbob]

Did you ever get the actuator piston fixed? I've noticed the same on mine,, I cant see it move any when I'm under there ..I just hear the motor on...according the the video, it looks like the shock is moving...mind dont

Watch the video close again and look at the photo above the video, that big RED Spring that compress's is attached to the Sway Bar frame so when the spring compresses it stiffen's the suspension against the sway bar. The shocks are totally separate and are a manually adjustable item.... that is used primary for body roll in turns. They adjust by setting the preload on the dash in the video to - 0 / lift the trike at the rear-end pumpkin to allow the wheels to hang free / stabalize at frame with jack stands to allow removal of wheels / see photos of shocks to see where they are set, most come from the factory set at the bottom and some installers never adjust them which is generally to loose and allows body roll, my Progressives have 5 settings and mine is at 3 but can be made even stiffer by turning the shock body while it has not weight on it going to 5 , but I also have the HD Sway bar installed and the 3rd position works for us two up and the pre-load set at 10 for the trailer. So it depends what you are wanting to adjust. Re assemble and test ride....

1. Body Roll - Adjust the Progressive Coil-over Shocks

2. Weight Carrying or Trailer - Pre-Load

3. Ride Quality - Rear Tire Pressure & Pre-Load

Hope that helps...

[mgwtrike]

That's why the trike shop you bought it from didn't mention it, they didn't want to fix it / I'd still call them about it not working and see what they offer.. were they a Roadsmith Dealer, if so contact Roadsmith and tell them about your trike shop that sold you a broken trike... doubt I would go back to them for any service... short-cut specialists. If items that are that important are left un-repaired and you were not told... not a very good trike dealer!!!

Great solution fix about a purchase from a bad retailer, "short-cut specialist" is right.

These people tend to give good trike conversion Company's a bad name when minor fixes are available.