How to Inspect Used Air Shocks

[jakebuganski]

Just got these 54565-97C's on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260608272520&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT) for $43 with shipping, so if I screwed up, I'm not losing too much... but I'm wondering, how do I know if they're okay to use? As you'll see, the ad is basically useless. I asked the seller how many miles were on them and he didn't know. What should I do to make sure these are in good enough shape to put on my bike?

I figure if they're in decent enough shape then I did pretty well, and if not, I can use them as weapons.

[jakebuganski]

really? nobody in 10 hours? will i just know once i've got them in my hands if they're any good or not?

[JoeFriday77]

From the pic, they look to be in decent shape and not beat all to h$#@. As far as what kind of shape the mechanics are in, you probably won't know until you put them on and give them a test ride. You would be hard pressed to compress them enough off the bike to know.

One other thing you can look to to get some idea of the shape is the rubber bushings at the bolt holes. If those look pretty good, they probably don't have too many miles on them as it is unlikely someone would go to the effort to replace them.

Just some ideas....

[jakebuganski]

cool - thanks joe.

maybe this is just something i should just know, but i've only owned a bike since october, so i still need some help now and then.

hit 3,000 today though, so maybe it's time to stop asking simple questions :p

[JoeFriday77]

No problem. Anytime you buy used stuff that you can't feel and touch, it can be a crap shoot. Just don't try to do anything to compress them until you put on valves or air lines. Shock oil will shoot out.

Give them a good once over, slap them on, and give them a test ride.

[XLXR]

If the paint is faded, they are really old. Pull down the rubber boot and see if any oil film is on the shaft. Any oil indicates the seal is leaking, and the seal cannot be replaced. Make sure he ships them with the air line holes plugged to prevent oil from leaking out.

I bought a used set on eBay that never felt quite right. I got another set and they were much better.

See the "7 Pages of Suspension" in the Suspension Sticky Section. Lots more information about measuring the weight to determine how much oil is in them, pictures of the RK air shocks cut apart, and how to change the oil. You must not overfill them, because the shocks could blow apart.