1500 Rear air shock replacement

[TwoBye]

Well I have fought this rear suspension problem for long enough. I have tried everything I know and I cannot figure out why my rear air shock/chamber won't hold air. So, I am going to try and replace it. Can anyone on this forum give me an idea as to where to look to find a used rear air suspension shock/chamber with or without solenoids? I tried ebay to no avail. Help???

TwoBye

 

[trike lady]

A salvage yard would have parts for older Wings.

https://www.stevescyclesalvage.info/

https://bobsmotorcycleparts.com/

https://www.west60cycle.com/

https://ozpowersports.com/

https://www.sportwheel.com/

https://pinwallcycle.com/

Contact any one of these yards

 

[TwoBye]

Thanks for the list of salvage yards. Have you ever dealt with any of them. I contacted Bob's and they say they have one in good condition. After my 35 years in the parts business working at dealerships I know how some of these salvage yards handle the truth a little reckless if you know what I mean. I may just take the chance and buy it, it seems to be my only chance to get my trike back to normal. Thanks again for the info.

 

[trike lady]

I never got the chance to deal with them, but the Honda dealer in Florida recommended Steve's cycle salvage for older parts. I've seen plenty of sketchy parts when I worked for that shop in PA, the basement, 3rd floor and attic was loaded.

 

[TwoBye]

I need to show my ignorance here, does the 'air shock' on the rear of my trike (CSC Kit) contain oil AND air? If so, if it leaks over time would that cause the air shock to lose pressure? I really don't know. I have looked in my service manual and it shows a 4.9 oz oil capacity in the shock prior to assembly but thats all. Can anyone help here?

 

[Jack Klarich]

I need to show my ignorance here, does the 'air shock' on the rear of my trike (CSC Kit) contain oil AND air? If so, if it leaks over time would that cause the air shock to lose pressure? I really don't know. I have looked in my service manual and it shows a 4.9 oz oil capacity in the shock prior to assembly but thats all. Can anyone help here?

Shocks use oil to do the dampening and cooling of the shock valving

It is not uncommon for air shocks over time to leak some oil, even out of the schraeder valve when filling the air or taking some air out

I hope this answers your question

 

[pwhoever]

Looks like they are still available new. They are listed for about $243 new here

https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/p/honda/52400-my4-013/shock-absorber-assy-r-rr-showa

This is is the part for 1992-97 but can find no reason why it wouldn't be compatible for all years...

And just for reference, these use Honda SS-7 suspension fluid.

Another option depending on how mechanically inclined you are is to replace the seal. The seal will cost you a just over $15 plus tax and shipping

https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/p/honda/91257-ke8-003/oil-seal-55x68x13

 

[TwoBye]

Looks like they are still available new. They are listed for about $243 new here

https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/p/honda/52400-my4-013/shock-absorber-assy-r-rr-showa

This is is the part for 1992-97 but can find no reason why it wouldn't be compatible for all years...

And just for reference, these use Honda SS-7 suspension fluid.

Another option depending on how mechanically inclined you are is to replace the seal. The seal will cost you a just over $15 plus tax and shipping

https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/p/honda/91257-ke8-003/oil-seal-55x68x13

I 'think' that is for the normal shock used in companion with the air chamber. The air chamber is no longer available from Honda. I have called several Honda locations and they all told me the same thing. I wish they were!

 

[pwhoever]

No, that is the air shock part and part number for it. It is listed for earlier years but shows as a different part number but also discontinued for later years. All year air shocks should be compatible for all years. You can see it here on the parts breakdown on this page: https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/a/hon/506caffff870023420a408a3/shock-absorber

If you notice, part # 10 which is 52500-MN5-003 is the normal plain non air shock absorber and that shows up as unavailable.

And it is only the earlier models in the diagrams that even list the individual parts for the air shock. I don't recall what year they stopped showing that. No idea why...

Another example with this is if you try to buy the collapsible rubber protective boot that is on all GL1500 air shocks. If you look on later models in parts, you will not find it listed. But go back to say 93, and there it is. And it it the exact same rubber boot used on all years.

But because the GL1500's are getting older, you and the dealers have to be a little creative in searching for the parts and search under different year models. My guess is that they only searched under your year and stopped the search. Many times different year parts can be compatible with all years. They may have slight differences such as color or slight design changes but will still work just fine.

 

[TwoBye]

No, that is the air shock part and part number for it. It is listed for earlier years but shows as a different part number but also discontinued for later years. All year air shocks should be compatible for all years. You can see it here on the parts breakdown on this page: https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/a/hon/506caffff870023420a408a3/shock-absorber

If you notice, part # 10 which is 52500-MN5-003 is the normal plain non air shock absorber and that shows up as unavailable.

And it is only the earlier models in the diagrams that even list the individual parts for the air shock. I don't recall what year they stopped showing that. No idea why...

Another example with this is if you try to buy the collapsible rubber protective boot that is on all GL1500 air shocks. If you look on later models in parts, you will not find it listed. But go back to say 93, and there it is. And it it the exact same rubber boot used on all years.

But because the GL1500's are getting older, you and the dealers have to be a little creative in searching for the parts and search under different year models. My guess is that they only searched under your year and stopped the search. Many times different year parts can be compatible with all years. They may have slight differences such as color or slight design changes but will still work just fine.

Now THAT is interesting. And I believe you no doubt, it's just having spent well over 30 years in the parts business (both John Deere and Ford Motor Co) I have never known of a company to label two very similar parts with different part numbers. I have seen a change in prefix or suffix but the number would stay the same. But this IS worth checking in to. Thank you very much for the help and the education.

 

[Marc H]

I'm with Deere now.Its happening all the time now.About the time you learn what fits what they change the part #.I agree you gotta be creative to keep the older bikes going.I did all exactly what was suggested all the time with my 1500.