Airbagit bags Installed!

[Oldrodder]

Yesterday and today were spent installing the new bags from Airbagit. The install was pretty straight-forward. I also wanted to move the air charge port to a more convenient location. I also wanted to change all the plumbing to 1/4" air line and all the fittings to 1/4" NPT Air brake compression fittings. To relocate the Shrader valve, I used a 3 into 1 manifold from Princess Auto (P-A is the Canadian version of Harbour Freight!) I also installed an air gauge in the Tour Pack. All the fittings were installed using Thread Sealant (Pipe dope). The bags were installed on the trike with no clearance issues whatsoever! The system was plumbed on the bench, then the manifold was installed under the Tour Pack and the 3 lines were run to the appropriate components. I aired it up to 30 PSI & I checked all the connections for leaks with soapy water....no leaks to be found!

Here is a photo of both bags. The Motor Trike bag is on the left. The bag is expanded after I attempted a repair using Flex Seal....didn't work! The Airbagit bag is to the right, in a collapsed state. Photographed beside my coffee mug for reference.

I went in the house for a cold drink and a sit down. When I went back in the shop 45 mins later, I'd lost 10 lbs of pressure!!!

I read somewhere, probably here, that you have to over inflate the system in order for it to seal, so I aired it up to 60 PSI and will check it later today.

The next day.....and I still have a leak!!!

August 5th 2022,

I decided to upgrade the fittings to compression with ferrules. The manifold was d&t for 1/4" NPT fittings and I used reducers in order to use the 1/8" NPT fittings I had. I'm changing these as well to 1/4" NPT thereby eliminating the reducer.

I will assemble it all this evening and report later.

 

[Oldrodder]

I finally found the leak! When we drilled & tapped the manifold for mounting holes, we drilled into the compression plugs at the of the manifold. I found the leak by accident! Yesterday, we made another manifold. We drilled the 1/8" air gallery slightly off center to allow room for the mounting holes....worked perfectly! I went for a ride last night with the bags aired up to 15 PSI, I found the ride a little rough. I dropped the pressure to 13 PSI & that was a little better. Out again today and dropped another 2 lbs to 11PSI. I wonder how low I can go without damaging the bags? Any advice anyone???

TIA.

 

[Oldrodder]

Update.

So, I've been riding the trike for 2 weeks now with the new "Airbagit" bags installed and aired up to 11 lbs. It rides comfortably well, not as smooth as my BMW/Hannigan but more that acceptable. I'm happy with the results of the work I did on this trike.

Bonus.......no more leaks!!!