There is no pressure sensor in the system, only a position sensor in the actuator, which is part of the unit. All you need is a simple rocker switch to change the preload, there is no control unit involved in the system either, only a speed cut out that prevents using it on the fly.
Reverse trike GL1800 rear suspension questions
I've finally collected all the bits -- almost all -- for the GL1800 rear suspension and drive for my reverse trike project. The rear suspension, drive, braking, rear wheel and tire are new (zero miles), as is the rear spring/shock unit, missing 'only' the top and the pump/regulator. Last week I scored a low-miles spring/shock unit missing only the pressure sensor.
As best as I can dope out from the immense GL1800 Service Manual I bought, system evaluation and troubleshooting are revealed and advised through the on-board ECUs; e. g., I could find no 'go' or 'no-go' service limit info in the big book for the rear suspension scheme. I do understand the important parameters for the motorcycle, and this leads me to wonder if they are all that important to my purposes.
For example, I don't envision the need to quickly alter my rear-suspension rate at the push of a button while underway. Except for some additional preload to compensate for luggage for a road trip, I foresee myself living with a basic setup for most of the time; reverse trikes want their CG well forward for best handling performance.
I plan to incorporate the GL1800 suspension elements in the trike just as they are in the motorcycle, but without the instant adjustment. In the near 30 years I was involved with Honda as a racer, journalist, and a training specialist I came to trust their engineering judgement and skill. The vertically mounted rear spring/shock couldn't be better suited to my trike design. My plan is work with the basic static spring load to determine the needs of the chassis, and then alter it as need with pre-load shims. This isn't as elegant as the Goldwing motorcycle scheme for two wheelers, but I feel it will work for my trike project.
I'd appreciate any and all corrections and redirection to my scheme; I'm not against instant suspension adjustment, but I just don't see it happening without a spendy on-board ECU involved.
Thank you for your patient attention and reasoned suggestions.
Mike Bishop
As best as I can dope out from the immense GL1800 Service Manual I bought, system evaluation and troubleshooting are revealed and advised through the on-board ECUs; e. g., I could find no 'go' or 'no-go' service limit info in the big book for the rear suspension scheme. I do understand the important parameters for the motorcycle, and this leads me to wonder if they are all that important to my purposes.
For example, I don't envision the need to quickly alter my rear-suspension rate at the push of a button while underway. Except for some additional preload to compensate for luggage for a road trip, I foresee myself living with a basic setup for most of the time; reverse trikes want their CG well forward for best handling performance.
I plan to incorporate the GL1800 suspension elements in the trike just as they are in the motorcycle, but without the instant adjustment. In the near 30 years I was involved with Honda as a racer, journalist, and a training specialist I came to trust their engineering judgement and skill. The vertically mounted rear spring/shock couldn't be better suited to my trike design. My plan is work with the basic static spring load to determine the needs of the chassis, and then alter it as need with pre-load shims. This isn't as elegant as the Goldwing motorcycle scheme for two wheelers, but I feel it will work for my trike project.
I'd appreciate any and all corrections and redirection to my scheme; I'm not against instant suspension adjustment, but I just don't see it happening without a spendy on-board ECU involved.
Thank you for your patient attention and reasoned suggestions.
Mike Bishop
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Thanks much, Dave! I've been over-thinking and over-worrying this system when all I had to do was ask someone who understands it.There is no pressure sensor in the system, only a position sensor in the actuator, which is part of the unit. All you need is a simple rocker switch to change the preload, there is no control unit involved in the system either, only a speed cut out that prevents using it on the fly.
Mike
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