Replacing air ride hoses

[cboy]

I am using the front fork from a 1989 Voyager on an electric trike. I would like to retain the air ride if possible but do not want all the hoses etc. I'm wondering if I can replace all the hoses with a simple schrader valve (8m x 1.0), as shown on the left in the photo, inserted into the collar at the top of the shock tube. Would this allow me to fill and adjust the shock without the hose and canister shown on the right in the photo.

[triton28]

Yes, if the Schraeder valve threads into the air balance tubes of the front fork it will work just fine.
By the way the cannister and hoses in the photo are for the Voyager XII rear suspension units, but you probably already knew that.
Dave

[Nails]

My air inlets for the forks often had oil in them. I think the spacer above the springs is supposed to keep this oil out of the air system. My point is that, depending on where you locate this valve, you might accumulate fork oil on the other side of it.

Also, I think the deadspace volume above the fork oil is important. IIRC, folks here recommend a 145 mm level. When I dumped the air suspension for Progressives, I removed everything from the folks to the old air inlet -- the manifold and all (I plugged the hole in the forks). Because this decreased the deadspace (headspace?), I went with 160 mm, thus getting some volume back. (160 was recommended by Progressive and, IIRC, Kawasaki in the first place). Your mileage may vary.

[cboy]

By the way the cannister and hoses in the photo are for the Voyager XII rear suspension units, but you probably already knew that.
Dave

Yes, I knew it came off the rear but didn't know what the canister was for or if it had any relationship to the front shocks. From the sound of it, the canister can be discarded along with the front and rear hoses. BTW, thanks to all for the quick answer to my question.

[SgtSlag]

I would recommend dumping the air suspension, and just go with Progressive Springs. Easier, less hassle, better ride. Your bike,your decision. Best of luck with your build, whatever you choose! Cheers!

[cboy]

I would recommend dumping the air suspension, and just go with Progressive Springs. Easier, less hassle, better ride. Your bike,your decision. Best of luck with your build, whatever you choose! Cheers!

I would agree with you 100% if this were a normal Voyager. But this is a Voyager front fork on a custom electric trike and the weight distribution has been radically altered with the battery pack all between the rear wheels and the hub motors both at the rear. So "curb weight" on the front suspension is now only 116 lbs vs the normal, which I'm estimating was around 380 lbs. I've read that the Progressive Springs do a great job of firming up the Voyager front suspension but in my case I'm already too firm. So my thought was to stick with the stock springs (pre-built mushy) and then soften them up even more by using 3-5W oil. If that got too soft, then I would use the air system to firm things up a bit...and that's why I wanted to leave the air system in place. Incidentally, I have Progressive coil over shocks on the rear that came from the donor Voyager and they work terrific...but then that is where all the weight is. I'm game for any other suggestions on softening up the front.

[cranky]

.... + 1 if you don't want to be riding very stiff, the Progressives are
firmer, when I did my scoot, I had to cut another 2 1/2" off my shield...
FWIW