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Let's Discuss Air Shock Pressure.....
MY TRIKE: 2010 Gold Wing/Motor Trike Adventurer IRS with a SUPER BRACE, Pilot Activ Front Tire, Stock Issue Uniroyal Rears..........OK, while on a Ride with Sport Bikes and Cruisers recently (I was second in line and staying with the Leader) riding The Dragon (Mitzie and I were 2-up), I was using what has become my "standard" of 45 lbs in my Rear Shocks, when about 3/4 of the way through, I encountered a serious issue. The Trike began to lean excessively first, then we encountered a slight "pop" as it would straighten up from a right lean, through a left hand corner. This got progressively worse to the point that I pulled over.
We were not far from the Overlook, so I "Limped" it to there to get a wider/safer pull-over Area for a Detailed Inspection. First thing I noticed was how soft the Rear Suspension was, and with a near Total Lack of Dampening. I checked, and "Ah-Ha", the Shock Bodies were Red Hot...now to find the "Pop Culprit". It turns out that the Right Outer CV Joint was Partially Out-Of-Socket (I assume from Hyper-Extending the Axle Shaft from Excessive Leaning). My Friends and I kept bouncing the Rearend very aggressively until I heard another "Pop", then checked....Yep, CV went back into place with no real damage (Have used this "Redneck Repair" on Cars before...). After letting the shocks cool to barely warm, we continued on. the Trike was back to it's normal.
As we turned onto the twisty Foothills Parkway, I increased the Air Pressure to what I considered a ridiculous 100 lbs, and spent various times aggressively attacking some of the various tight curves at ridiculous Speeds (pulling away from the 2-wheelers) with no ill effects. Since returning Home, I have experimented quite a bit with Pressures in the 85 to 125 lbs Range, and ridden to the point of "Power Drifting" the rear and actually needing some Counter Steering to complete a Corner.
I have begun to use Higher Pressures, and depending on Road Type, Rider Pace, Whom I am riding with, etc., it gets adjusted accordingly..........
I DO NOT ADVOCATE THIS SET-UP FOR ANY OF YOU, AND ANYONE WANTING TO TEST THIS INFORMATION, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD BE A VERY, VERY EXPERIENCED RIDER WITH YEARS, AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES OF RIDING UNDER THEIR BELT...NO EXCEPTIONS
Now, that being said, the Best Pieces of Information gained from my experience is...(1) It is possible to Hyperextend a CV Axle on an IRS Trike (2) You can over-ride Your Suspension
Yes, I was riding my Trike waaaay over it's expected Limits and Purpose when this happened...No, I won't be doing this anymore (...even my Wife says so...)...but just some more valuable, or non-valuable Trike Information. THANKS for Reading This, and Heed my Disclaimer Warning.....skuuter.....
:Biker:
Originally Posted by champsman97045
