To me it seems my bikes suspension is hard since I feel every little bump
that I hit. I know I can add air to the rear shocks but to what pressure do
most of you use? I'm 185lbs
What can I do for the front ones? Change the oil since I imagine the oil may
be bad since it is a 17 year old bike? What type of oil is best to use on it?
What is the best method of doing this?

 

You should find the recommended air pressures for your suspension in your owners manual. The lower the air pressure, the softer the ride. For example, on my bike, I run zero air pressure in the rear and 10 lbs in the front. Set your pressures per your manual and go from there. When I got my back, someone had 20 lbs in the front and rear and it rode like a wagon.

 

if you have the touring air shocks in the rear you can change the oil in them too. I hear 7 weight is good for a smooth ride. I haven't tried changing it yet, it looks like it helps to have a press to compress the shock upside down with the air valve removed to get the old oil out.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...y-08-flhx.html

 

Thanks for the link, didn't know I could change the shocks oil.

 

I got so busy with work and my wife being sick that I just ordered my manual yesterday.
I didn't know they had air shocks up front.
Thanks for the info.

 

The topic of suspension expends a lot of hot air around HDF! The air systems, front and rear, get a lot of criticism, partly because they are cheap'n cheerful, not very forgiving, also they don't cope very well when riding 2-up or heavily laden. A few of us have tackled the challenge of improving ride quality, which also improves ride safety, so if you want more info we can help!

 

I think it may be a good idea to change them but will look at doing it sometime
next year, I'll add air for now unless I find it leaks or is damaged, PO may of
have put too much air in them.
I know my wife will not be riding with me anytime with her illness since it will not improve.

Thanks
Michael

 

The rear shocks are very likely toast, and replacement with a nice set of non-air shocks would improve the ride dramatically...you can search for days on which brand is best...but it will come down to how much you want to spend.

 

if I can find a set of chrome stock air shock take offs I'd like trying to put the lighter fork oil in them an throw them on my V rod. I ride it solo 99.5% of the time an the muscle shocks I picked up are stiff as he!!. It'd be nice to throw some $800+ shocks on but I can't see myself droppin that much coin for shocks. If you ride a lot it's probably worth it but I don't ride a ton an it's normally short trips with frequent stops.

 

Even thou there is only 5000k miles they more than likely are, but I will put
air in then until early next year. But once I do start looking what if anything
should I look out for? What would fit on my bike?