Air shocks on a 2008 Honda GW Adventure Motor trike kit

[Tomcat7355]

I was out for a fall ride on the above trike it has approx. 65,000 miles on the kit. Well after putting on about 100 miles, I noticed from the back of the trike the left side was lower than the right side it had approx. 45 lbs. on the pressure gauge When I would go around a curve it didn't handle right before I get too involved, I figured that I would give a shout out if anyone else has had this problem

Thanks

Tom C

 

[Marc H]

I have never had a Motor Trike but I would check your sway bar mounts and while at it all the joints for wear.I think they use air bags and coilover shocks.

 

[alwrmcusn]

My Trike (2008 GL1800 W/2013 Motor Trike Razor) has had air suspension problems intermittently since I bought it. Pressing the compressor button would very frequently do nothing to raise the suspension but would release air every time. I replaced the switch, had to replace the entire panel because MT could not sell just the switch. That did not fix the problem. The compressor would always eventually raise the suspension but it would take anywhere from 1 to 20 button pushes. About a month ago it simply ceased to operate the compressor at all, but it would still release air (making things worse of course!). Motor Trike responded to a couple of emails with some information on what to check but their suggestions are beyond my capabilities. I'm waiting to get the trike into the shop.

I was wondering if those two "air bags" could be removed and replaced with shock absorbers or something else.

 

[Volkemon]

You are looking at major fabrication, but perhaps something like 'Sumosprings' ( https://www.superspringsinternational.com/sumosprings/ ) could be fitted where the airbags are now?

Or possibly having coil springs made custom to fit in there... but again, major fabrication.

The air bags are fairly well proven and reliable. With the HUGE advantage of adjustability. I have an older solid axle motor trike, and it is very handy to be able to adjust the springs on the go.

On mine, there is no 'control board' for the air bag compressor. one button, and it inflates the bags. There is a manual release valve to deflate/soften them.

Instead of redesigning the air bag suspension, it might be easier to modify how the compressor is controlled. Can you post a picture of the control board you replaced last time?

 

[alwrmcusn]

This is the switch/control unit that was replaced.

When replaced everything continued working (or intermittently working) as it did prior to the replacement. So that at least eliminated the possibility of the switch itself being bad.

The replacement was easily done, everything was plug and play.

 

[pwhoever]

Just out of curiosity, does the Motortrike setup use all the components (relays, wiring, etc...) that the OEM hydraulic suspension did but just replace the preload reservoir with an air compressor?

 

[alwrmcusn]

Just out of curiosity, does the Motortrike setup use all the components (relays, wiring, etc...) that the OEM hydraulic suspension did but just replace the preload reservoir with an air compressor?

I have no idea. That would be a question for Motor Trike or possibly someone (not me ) who has more "mechanical" capability. But if I were guessing, I'd say yes.

 

[pwhoever]

The reason I bring it up is that after my conversion, I started having intermittent problems with my rear suspension and would sometimes get the "Sus Adj Error" message on the screen. Sometimes it would only go up and then I couldn't adjust it back down right away. The CSC setup retains the stock pump and reservoir.

After maybe a year or so went by and I had tried several troubleshooting steps during this but kept having the problem. By accident one day, I happened to discover that one of the wire harnesses that plugged into the upper back of the dash wasn't fully seated. It looked like it was but when I pushed on it, I felt it click into place. Ever since then, the suspension worked perfectly. If I had to guess, when the rake kit was installed, the dash probably had to be moved out of the way a bit and the connector must have worked its way loose. This might cause an intermittent loss of connection especially after hitting a bump or two but not a full disconnection which would explain why sometimes it worked and sometimes didn't.

Something to look at...

 

[alwrmcusn]

Don't think that would be the cause on this one. It always goes down, but was intermittent raising the suspension. Also when I turn the ignition on I can hear what I believe is the compressor clicking on. I'm not absolutely sure that is the noise I hear but Motor Trike's email response indicated that I should check to see if it was ensuring a minimum pressure when turned on.

Like I indicated, I have neither the expertise nor tools to try to determine the cause. So I'm currently waiting for a place in line for the mechanic to trace the wiring.

Logically (to me) it seems likely that there is a connection fault somewhere along the wiring.