[SoulvilleUSA]

imported post

Just to get the jokey stuff out of the way first. Yes, at 6'6" 300+ lbs, I am just a couple pounds heavier than the normal rider.... and passenger in some cases. Putting me in most cars today is like putting a 10lb fish in a 5lb can.:grinner:

The problem I am having is with the bike "bottoming out" in the rear (insert joke here) when I hit things like speed bumps or V-shaped gutters like you would find entering a parking lot.

It makes an awful metalic thump of a sound. I first thought the rear tire was flat and I was in danger of denting my rim, but the air pressure on the new Elite IIIs was just fine. (not a word, Redwing:waving I then looked towards the Progressive air shocks. 50lbs of pressure, released the pressure and the bike sat down on the frame, put the pressure back in and the bike came right back up and has good travel with little or no bounce. I removed the rear tire and looked around for cracks or breaks in the frame, but didn't see any.

I am officially stumped. (or should I say "thumped") I know that I am heavy, but I would think I would equal out to a fairly average 2-up with bags packed load when I am riding with the bags empty.

 

[SoulvilleUSA]

imported post

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the input! I think the issue probably is the oil. I am running Progressive 416s that look like they have been on there for a while... but I also picked up a "fresher looking" used pair on Ebay ($70) back when I caught a 81 Int. being broke down and bought a bunch of spare parts. I will pull the ebay shocks out of the closet and give them an oil and seal refresh and replace the ones on the bike at my leisure... great thing about having spare parts.... wish I had a spare front fork assembly.... I've been playing the add-air game since I bought the bike last spring, waiting for winter to rebuild the front fork and put in progressive springs. I have a little Coleman air compressor that plugs into the cig lighter (aftermarket) that the previous owner installed... rather poorly. I have been thinking about modding the compressor to fit inside of the false tank cover and running a dual valve with a release assemblyto be able to adjust the front and rear air. I'm not going to get all fancy and put switches on the fairing, I'll just leave everything mounted beneath the feul fill doors.

To answer some of the questions on the E IIIs:

Yes, they make them for the 1100.

No, I haven't heard them "sing" or "hum"... not any song I know, at least> :cooldj:

Mine have over 5000 miles on them now and only minimal wear is showing.

I bought them because they are great in the wet and I get a lot of wet down here... Memphis is where Hurricanes go to die evidently.