| Author | Message | ||
     Thefleshrocket |
I've got an Elka shock. I bought it used and had a longer reservoir hose installed a few years ago. It's only had a thousand or so street miles or so on it, but recently the damping has gone totally soft. I used to have the rebound adjuster set about halfway through the range and it was nice and firm, but now with it set to full stiff, the back end practically jumps into the air when I bounce the bike. I don't have a pressure gauge that goes up to the 150-200 psi that the shock requires, so I can't tell if it's low without taking it somewhere to have it topped off. Is it possible that the nitrogen is low and that's why the damping is shot, or should I plan to have it rebuilt? | ||
| Rodrob |
Have it rebuilt immediately. Uncontrolled rebound on the rear can put you on your head. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Okay. You don't think that it might just need to have the nitrogen recharged? | ||
| Rodrob |
Could be, but why did it leak in the first place? A service will tell you what needs to be done. | ||
| Jdugger |
Elka shocks just do that. They kinda suck, really. Service them annually, and more often if you track/race a bunch. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
When I got the shock, it had a really short reservoir hose. I bought a longer hose had it swapped out. The shock initially had issues weeping a little bit of fluid so the shop changed out the crush washers and that appeared to fix it, but I bet the weep has returned. I just need to get it pulled and check it out. Thanks! | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I removed the shock and there was sticky gunk all over the bottom of the body. I'm just about positive that it's leaking oil from where the hose connects to the body. (That's where it was leaking last time, and where we replaced the crush washers.) A local shop said they'd refill the oil, bleed it, and top off the nitrogen for about $70, and Traxxion said they'd do a rebuild for $150. Just trying to decide which route to take. Probably ought to go for the rebuild, just to be safe. | ||
| Jdugger |
Rebuild. You also need new seals. This is the *classic* failure mode for these shocks. Had the exact same thing happen to one on my Honda 600. | ||
| Rodrob |
Traxxion is the best. Go with them. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
The shock is boxed up and going off to Traxxion on Monday for a rebuild. |
