rear suspension

[mealexme]

Right guys (and girls). This is my first "proper" bike and I have limited machanical experience so bare with me.

I have this type of suspension on the bike

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255516/IMG279.jpg

And it makes a noise every time i bounce the bike, a noise like air is rushing from somewhere around the suspension.Its not coming from the seat as I took the seat off, then shot this video.

I am actually impressed with how well the microphone on my phone picks up the sound, because it is not really as loud as it seems on the vid. Although it does sound less like a saw and more like a footpump. The microphone may be able to pick up sound well but it cant do it at a very good quality

here is a link to the vid

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255516/MOV007.3gp

If you want to try and work out where the camera is pointing, at the beginging it is upsidown and at just over half way you can see the suspension at the top of the vid

Is this normal? If not, what is likely to be wrong with it?

Thanks, Alex

[davefly76]

The cylindrical part with the sticker on is the shock absorber, with the spring around the outside. I can't view the video at work but I imagine the sound you can hear is the shock compressing and releasing, as it should do. If the noise is excessive then the shock is probably on it's way out.

[mealexme]

ah that's good to hear. was getting paranoid when i asked about it in chat without video and people said its the seat and if it wasn't they didn't know what it was. anyway its done under 17k and by the looks of the tyres that were on it most of them were motorway. although it didn't have Any chicken strips either lol so it hopefully isn't on its way out. and i have no idea what excessive is as i have never heard that noise from suspension before

[Tango]

Bit mucky under there Alex....looks like it could do with a clean....

It doesn't sound to abnormal to me mate. No sign of oil around there....so I think the shock is sound.

Get some earplugs mate......if you can hear any noise from the bike with those in then's the time to worry.....

[mealexme]

Bit mucky under there Alex....looks like it could do with a clean.... firstly, you can f*ck right off! Its squeaky clean! Secondly, I can guarantee it will not stay this clean when I start riding it!

It doesn't sound to abnormal to me mate. No sign of oil around there....so I think the shock is sound.

Get some earplugs mate......if you can hear any noise from the bike with those in then's the time to worry.....

Thirdly (and seriously, unlike the first point I made) thats good to hear i will probably put a few more "I think my bikes broke" threads up. I was planning to get a dog of a bike as a first one, but as I have one thats in good condition I want to keep it that way!

Thanks for putting my mind at rest guys