Air shock?
Ok, I STILL haven't heard anything from the supplier yet. I didn't get a chance to call EPC either. BUT, Saturday evening momma and I rode for supper. I aired them up to 27psi. I noticed when we left the diner, that the security indicator was on while riding. I tried the Rt turn, ok. Lt turn, no workie. So, I road most of the way home that way. Stopped in a little town, momma got off, all worked again. Came on home, Lt turn, no work again. Well, I didn't have much time to fool with it until today. The airshocks ride low enough that the tire got into the harness under the fender. Just where the wires were loose by the tail light. But, the tire did wear on the rubber harness cover the length of the fender. NOT impressed! I think it's time to put the stocker back on for now. Maybe the standard lenth bagger shocks would work better, at least travel wise. That or look at Progressive. I just wanted a better/easier way of adjusting the preload. I hate the POS tool from HD! Air just seemed easier. But the Progressive 430 and 440 look pretty good too, just a tad more $.
Mike
Mike
Mike... every single post on air shocks i STRESS how i have had to re route my wires under my fender or else they will RUB through your wires... you will not hear back from Eastern on the deal they pass the buck to the supplier and they never call back... anyways, i do not get the bone jar in which you speak. i have bottomed out many a time... if you put in 37lbs you prob puffed the seals on it. they only handle 25 TOPS...
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
Joe, I must have totally missed the wire reroute post. Oh well, nothing major, nothing fried, lesson learned. That's not what I wanted to hear on the vendor response, but not that surprised either. I don't think I blew the seals. If I did, I don't think it would hold air anymore.
I talked to a co-worker that put lower shocks on his Ultra. He's going to let me borrow his stockers and play with them. They've got about 3K miles on them. So, I'll report back the differences.
Jax, these air shocks are the same length as stockers, 12" eye to eye. BUT, they sag almost 1" when taken off the jiffy stand. So, I think that you're right in regards to shorter shock vs ride quality.
Mas, that's what I have been doing with the HD tool. But, the preload adjustment on these shocks is STIFF! I've elongated the holes in the shock housing, cracked the chrome, and tweaked muscles all in the name of adjusting the preload. Seems a bit excessive to me. Now, I ain't no powderpuff, but I also believe in working smarter, not harder.
Thanks for the replies.
Mike
I talked to a co-worker that put lower shocks on his Ultra. He's going to let me borrow his stockers and play with them. They've got about 3K miles on them. So, I'll report back the differences.
Jax, these air shocks are the same length as stockers, 12" eye to eye. BUT, they sag almost 1" when taken off the jiffy stand. So, I think that you're right in regards to shorter shock vs ride quality.
Mas, that's what I have been doing with the HD tool. But, the preload adjustment on these shocks is STIFF! I've elongated the holes in the shock housing, cracked the chrome, and tweaked muscles all in the name of adjusting the preload. Seems a bit excessive to me. Now, I ain't no powderpuff, but I also believe in working smarter, not harder.
Thanks for the replies.
Mike
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I also only weigh 195 with my wife around 110-115.
if you need a hand running the lines i took off my side plate on my fender rails, wrapped some big heat wrap around that and ran the wires though that... after i got them all in i heated the wrap to shrink it up tight... i like running ver low air... now i dont have to worry about it... let me know if you need a hand, took me like an hour to do... granted i do alot of soldering but it was still easy
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
When I repaired the wiring, I went ahead and glued down the wiring to the fender by the tail light, so it won't get in the tire anymore. I'm also going to shoot a bit paint or something on the wire protector in the fender to see if I'm still getting into it after putting on the ultra shocks. I hate soldering, so I used aviation environmental splices I had.
EPC was apologetic in having problems. They stated they've sold hundreds and never had a bad complaint. I gave me the number to Midwest Cycle Supply, 800-325-3914, ask for Stan, who so happens to be on vacation until next week. But, the guy at EPC thought there was supposed to be oil in them. I'll hopefully find out next week.
Mike
EPC was apologetic in having problems. They stated they've sold hundreds and never had a bad complaint. I gave me the number to Midwest Cycle Supply, 800-325-3914, ask for Stan, who so happens to be on vacation until next week. But, the guy at EPC thought there was supposed to be oil in them. I'll hopefully find out next week.
Mike
good luck with stan... i left him prob 5 messages about a year ago never got a call back... my shocks only hold air for about 2 days... EPC passed the buck and woudl not cover them 3 days after i got them... was let down by that... I was really supprised cause i have prob been responsible for at least 15 sets of these shocks being sold... what a let down... as far as the wires, spray some cheap bed liner on them under the fender...works great to cover glued down wires... we do ti all the time on LED wires for LED Kits
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
Thanks for the tip on the spray on liner. Yeah, I was a bit put off by EPC response of, "If you put them on the bike, we can't take them back." Well, now how the hell do you suppose I came to the conclusion that the ride quality could be better? Jeez!
Mike
Mike
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
No. I've left a couple messages and called a couple more times. Never in, or on the phone. I will try again in the AM tho.
I put my buddies Ultra shocks on and they are MUCH better. Not to mention you can hear alot of oil in them. If I turn the EPC shocks over, you can barely hear a trickle. I had thought about getting some fork/shock oil and filling them. Then if too stiff, removing 1oz. at a time until I get where I like them. Then again, they may never get there.
Mike
I put my buddies Ultra shocks on and they are MUCH better. Not to mention you can hear alot of oil in them. If I turn the EPC shocks over, you can barely hear a trickle. I had thought about getting some fork/shock oil and filling them. Then if too stiff, removing 1oz. at a time until I get where I like them. Then again, they may never get there.
Mike