Symptom of a dead shock?

Nipedley · 07-31-2008, 09:36 PM

Got in from the evening ride and heard my bike making a 'rushing air' sound anytime I push down on it. Thinking puncture I checked both tyres with no marks at all (they've only done 1200 miles) and both good pressure so I'm guessing its not that. The only other thing I can think is maybe one of the shock absorbers is gone? I can't think of anything else that would make an air whooshy sound.

Also, if this is the case, is it still safe to ride? I have a service on 8th august but not sure I can wait that long..!!

One more item for the list eh

Spree · 07-31-2008, 11:41 PM

Are you sure its not a tiny hole in the seat?

Nipedley · 08-01-2008, 07:16 AM

I shall have a looksee, thing is I can't get it to make the noise with the centrestand on so I have to sit on it to test, which makes it hard to diagnose

Would a dead shock make a whoosy air sound? I'm somewhat new to mechanics, learning as I go!

skodaphil · 08-01-2008, 07:59 AM

some shocks can make a noise anyway, but i'd be inclined to agree with spree, but just check for oil around the shock this would be your indicator of a damaged shock.

Nipedley · 08-01-2008, 08:12 AM

I can't seem to get any sound out of the seat whatsoever, and theres no visual giveaways either.. It's when I sit on the bike and push down, I can hear being 'squeezed' out, then when I return the bike to its normal position, you can hear the air being sucked back in. Visual inspection shows the top quarter of the left hand shock to be 'collapsed'.. no space between the rings, and the right hand shock does have that space.. is this a giveaway? I can't see any oil, though.. but I can't think what else would make that sort of a noise.

jonnywombat · 08-01-2008, 08:26 AM

If there is no oil leaking out the shock then either A) it is so knackered there is no oil left in it, or B) it is fine.

I would opt for B) because you would of noticed A) happening.

How does the bike feel when cornering? Find a bumpy corner, and when you ride around it how did it feel, if the bike traveled a true course and felt normal, then all is well, but if the back end was skipping around a lot then it would warrant further investigations...

HTH

Nipedley · 08-01-2008, 08:33 AM

Well I noticed it last night when I got in from 45 mile trip and hadn't noticed anything unusual at all, I took my favourite rural route as well so lots of bumpy roads.. It's just that a new noise has appeared, its somewhat disconcerting. My mind says that since it's driving fine I should just wait and mention it to the mechanic with the service in.. 8 days, just worried that I'll wear the chain/sprockets or something out if it is a dud shock in the mean time. There wasnt any oil leaking out of it, it gets a good clean at least every few days so I am sure I would have noticed something... Hmm we'll see eh

jonnywombat · 08-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nipedley

Well I noticed it last night when I got in from 45 mile trip and hadn't noticed anything unusual at all, I took my favourite rural route as well so lots of bumpy roads.. It's just that a new noise has appeared, its somewhat disconcerting. My mind says that since it's driving fine I should just wait and mention it to the mechanic with the service in.. 8 days, just worried that I'll wear the chain/sprockets or something out if it is a dud shock in the mean time. There wasnt any oil leaking out of it, it gets a good clean at least every few days so I am sure I would have noticed something... Hmm we'll see eh

A worn shock would not effect the chain and sprockets, although worn swing arm or wheel bearings might.
I would not worry about it too much if the bike feels ok. I would think you will be ok until you get to your service

Spree · 08-01-2008, 08:56 AM

A whooshing noise from the shock means that oil (or air) is passing either past the seals or internal valve. While it might not be completely knackered - its definitely on its way

Nipedley · 08-01-2008, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the info guys

I done a hundred or so miles on her today and ride is just as same as ever, nice and smooth (not so much to say for the seat! 2 hours on it and its difficult to walk..) I'll have a talk to the mechanic at the service and get some replacements on the way, they're fairly cheap on ebay so should be alright

07-31-2008, 09:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nipedley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Camborne Posts: 111	Symptom of a dead shock? Got in from the evening ride and heard my bike making a 'rushing air' sound anytime I push down on it. Thinking puncture I checked both tyres with no marks at all (they've only done 1200 miles) and both good pressure so I'm guessing its not that. The only other thing I can think is maybe one of the shock absorbers is gone? I can't think of anything else that would make an air whooshy sound. Also, if this is the case, is it still safe to ride? I have a service on 8th august but not sure I can wait that long..!! One more item for the list eh

07-31-2008, 11:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spree Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton Le Willows Posts: 3,206	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? Are you sure its not a tiny hole in the seat?
	I read that smoking weed destroys your brain cells - so I gave up reading Why not try out our other sites? The Biker Cafe and Bikerholic

08-01-2008, 07:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nipedley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Camborne Posts: 111	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? I shall have a looksee, thing is I can't get it to make the noise with the centrestand on so I have to sit on it to test, which makes it hard to diagnose Would a dead shock make a whoosy air sound? I'm somewhat new to mechanics, learning as I go!

08-01-2008, 07:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
skodaphil Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: wrexham Posts: 360	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? some shocks can make a noise anyway, but i'd be inclined to agree with spree, but just check for oil around the shock this would be your indicator of a damaged shock.
	i've got corner speed, it's control i struggle with!

08-01-2008, 08:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nipedley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Camborne Posts: 111	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? I can't seem to get any sound out of the seat whatsoever, and theres no visual giveaways either.. It's when I sit on the bike and push down, I can hear being 'squeezed' out, then when I return the bike to its normal position, you can hear the air being sucked back in. Visual inspection shows the top quarter of the left hand shock to be 'collapsed'.. no space between the rings, and the right hand shock does have that space.. is this a giveaway? I can't see any oil, though.. but I can't think what else would make that sort of a noise.

08-01-2008, 08:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
jonnywombat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wrexham Posts: 1,380	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? If there is no oil leaking out the shock then either A) it is so knackered there is no oil left in it, or B) it is fine. I would opt for B) because you would of noticed A) happening. How does the bike feel when cornering? Find a bumpy corner, and when you ride around it how did it feel, if the bike traveled a true course and felt normal, then all is well, but if the back end was skipping around a lot then it would warrant further investigations... HTH
	Watse Of Money Brains And Time bikerforum facebook group.

08-01-2008, 08:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Nipedley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Camborne Posts: 111	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? Well I noticed it last night when I got in from 45 mile trip and hadn't noticed anything unusual at all, I took my favourite rural route as well so lots of bumpy roads.. It's just that a new noise has appeared, its somewhat disconcerting. My mind says that since it's driving fine I should just wait and mention it to the mechanic with the service in.. 8 days, just worried that I'll wear the chain/sprockets or something out if it is a dud shock in the mean time. There wasnt any oil leaking out of it, it gets a good clean at least every few days so I am sure I would have noticed something... Hmm we'll see eh

08-01-2008, 08:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
Spree Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton Le Willows Posts: 3,206	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? A whooshing noise from the shock means that oil (or air) is passing either past the seals or internal valve. While it might not be completely knackered - its definitely on its way
	I read that smoking weed destroys your brain cells - so I gave up reading Why not try out our other sites? The Biker Cafe and Bikerholic

08-01-2008, 08:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nipedley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Camborne Posts: 111	Re: Symptom of a dead shock? Thanks for the info guys I done a hundred or so miles on her today and ride is just as same as ever, nice and smooth (not so much to say for the seat! 2 hours on it and its difficult to walk..) I'll have a talk to the mechanic at the service and get some replacements on the way, they're fairly cheap on ebay so should be alright

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