Motor Trike Air Suspension Air Bag Replacement

[eastkytriker]

Getting ready to order a set, They sound like a winner.

[oldhippie]

Just put on the airbags all went well, put 60 lbs and checked with soap and water no leaks put 20 lbs and took a ride a little rough so will have to play with that but all went OK.

[Trike Dave]

I have a 2003 Honda VTX1800C with a Motor Trike kit. The progressive shocks are shot and the air bags leak. I see recommendations for the #800 Air Bags. Is this to be used with progressive shocks or will the suspension be sufficent with just the air bags. As you can tell, I know nothing about suspensions.

[Gold Rush]

I have a 2003 Honda VTX1800C with a Motor Trike kit. The progressive shocks are shot and the air bags leak. I see recommendations for the #800 Air Bags. Is this to be used with progressive shocks or will the suspension be sufficent with just the air bags. As you can tell, I know nothing about suspensions.

Dave the new air bags will only cure the leaking OEM air bag issue. You will still have to deal with the shocks.

A word of caution. I just replaced the air bags on an '03 MT solid axle conversion. Trike now rides better than new! The new air bags are much larger diameter so several guys have had tire rubbing on bags issues. One person destroyed the bags.

The trike I worked on recently had the rear tires replaced with a narrower size or I think there would have been a rubbing issue here. Something for you to ponder...

Here is a photo of the two different air bags and one of the new bag installed showing space to tire.

[paid4c4]

I know this is an older thread but still relevant to those looking for information about air bags on Motor Trikes. Thanks to this tread and some of those posting on it I now have new improved air bags on my trike. Total cost 90 dollars. I picked up the new air bags from a forum member who had a new spare seat. In changing the air bags out I soon discovered the air line fittings on the OEM bags are cheaply made and not very well made.

I decided to replace the fittings with new NPT 1/8 brass fittings. As you can see in the photograph the new air bags are substantially larger with metal tops and bottoms. The new air bags are industrial grade with greatly improved quality over the OEM bags. Even though the new bags are larger I haven't had a problem with the tire rubbing the air bags. While it took me some time to swap the bags I could do the next set in an hour or less. My Motor Trike is a Spyder body made 4/2007.

Handing and ride seems much improved, i'll add a ride report once I get a good ride in hopefully tomorrow.

Bill

[Plumber]

I have a 2007 Honda 1300vtx with a motor trike kit on it. Will these air bag work on it. Thanks

[JaysGone]

Seeing as this thread has been revitalized a bit.
Does anyone know how many feet of air line would be needed if replacing the OEM lines on both sides??
2010 Motor Trike Adventurer kit.
Thanks

[Gold Rush]

Seeing as this thread has been revitalized a bit.
Does anyone know how many feet of air line would be needed if replacing the OEM lines on both sides??
2010 Motor Trike Adventurer kit.
Thanks

Jay, I don't believe these air bags will work on the Adventure kit. The entire suspension is different than a solid axle conversion. I may be mistaken but don't get your hopes up my friend..

[trike tech]

Jay,

I'm afraid GoldRush is correct. The fitment of the airbags on an IRS kit doesn't leave any room for a larger diameter bag with the mounting design. These bags would get torn up pretty quickly on your Adventure kit.

[Plumber]

Just to let every one know that this air bags did work on my Honda 1300c vtx motortrike kit. I found them on ebay for 35.00ea. to my front door.

[paid4c4]

The air line needed to replace all lines would be 4 foot should be plenty. I'm going to change my current air schrader valve to a more convenient location. It currently is in the bottom box of my MotorTrike Spyder. I'm planning on moving it to the upper luggage box or elsewhere where it will be easy to get to.
Bill

Seeing as this thread has been revitalized a bit.
Does anyone know how many feet of air line would be needed if replacing the OEM lines on both sides??
2010 Motor Trike Adventurer kit.
Thanks

[paid4c4]

I meant to add; I know this is an older post but it is still a useful thread and provides a lot of information. Because of this tread I found my new air bags from a forum member and felt comfortable enough to do the work myself. This is a prime example of forum members helping each other.
Bill

[cjmitch]

http://www.airbagit.com/Air-Springs-...a-800-long.htm

[cjmitch]

The air line needed to replace all lines would be 4 foot should be plenty. I'm going to change my current air schrader valve to a more convenient location. It currently is in the bottom box of my MotorTrike Spyder. I'm planning on moving it to the upper luggage box or elsewhere where it will be easy to get to.

Bill

Schrader valve... I got rid of that sucker when I went to the digital readout for their compressor. you may want to look at a retrofit kit

[PKLGW]

my 05 gw mt (i am assuming adventure conversion) has leaking air bags (per the good old soapy water testing) they are on thier last legs

has anyone replaced thier own bags? If so, what replacement bag did you use (manf and part number)? And how difficult is it to replace in my own garage?

Mt has told me i must order the replacement bags thru a authorized dealer (of which i have no probelm doing at $70 each), but the dealer wants to charge me over $300 -$1000 for the install. And its about an hour's drive up to the dealer just to pick up the bags.

I would just rather do it myself

thanks for any help

just changed mine on MT 2007 GL1800 took 1.5 hrs IT WAS real easy to do.

[Plumber]

http://www.airbagit.com/Air-Springs-...a-800-long.htm

I found them on ebay for 35.00 ea. to my front door. They were 39.00 ea and 45.00 for shipping same people http://stores.ebay.com/Chassis-Tech-...p2047675.l2563

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[paid4c4]

Schrader valve... I got rid of that sucker when I went to the digital readout for their compressor. you may want to look at a retrofit kit

I am interested in doing what you did. Where did you get the retrofit kit?

Thank You;

Bill

[cjmitch]

I am interested in doing what you did. Where did you get the retrofit kit?

I got it from Motortrike...

It is standard equipment now, but there was a time where it was an add-on option

It adapts the up and down switches on the left console that used to be the adjust shock, to now control the airbags

With a digital pounds/sq-inch readout and a volt meter

[fastfreddy2015]

Hey 3W lonerider just ran across your post on airbags. I think I got the same problem with my airbags. Read where some of the guys messed up there tires or the new airbags because the tires were to wide. So what size tires do you have mounted on your trike ? I have P225/60/R15 on mine and have fairly decent thread on them. Don't like the idea of having to buy narrower tires just to mount new airbags. Am thinking of replacing all plastic parts with brass fittings also. I ride a 2008 gl1800 Goldwing trike. Can't tell what kit it has. Maybe spider but won't swear to it.

[3W-lonerider]

I dropped my tire size down to a 215 i had 225. And they never rubbed the tire but just wanted alittle more clearance. Just keep in mind. If you have tires that have raised lettering and the letters are facing in. The tires will make contact with the bags. Also not sure how much clearance you have at the bottom of the bag and the rear end. But i had to expand that mounting hole to get the bag away from the rear. When the bag was compressing in dips the lower portion of the bag was barely making contact but just enough to rub.