Pumping up the Air Shocks?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 168
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From: The Republic Of Texas
Pumping up the Air Shocks?
I just installed the HD air shocks on my FatBob. How are you guys that have these installed pumping them up. Just a small shot with my air compressor puts them way up above 30 psi and everytime I check the pressure I lose a pound or 2 just from the process of checking them. I'm thinking maybe a bicycle pump. Anyways, the shocks look great on the bike and the ride so far is MUCH better.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 2
From: Sin City
STOP!!!! STOP!!!! STOP!!! back away slowly from the air compressor. Dude... you will blow the shocks with that air compressor. Go to harley buy the handpump, I think its only $50 and you will be good. never use anything but that handpump on your shocks. I am 240# and I ride mine at 18lbs of air, that will give you a starting point... now back away slowly.....
Get the HD air pump #54630-03A
You will avoid blowing out your shocks, and you will not lose pressure when you disconnect. It's worth it.
Kevin
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You will avoid blowing out your shocks, and you will not lose pressure when you disconnect. It's worth it.
Kevin
HDForums Scavenger Hunt Contest
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DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
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From: Taylortucky, MI
STOP!!!! STOP!!!! STOP!!! back away slowly from the air compressor. Dude... you will blow the shocks with that air compressor. Go to harley buy the handpump, I think its only $50 and you will be good. never use anything but that handpump on your shocks. I am 240# and I ride mine at 18lbs of air, that will give you a starting point... now back away slowly.....
I say they blow at 60psi ? chit...they blow now
Last edited by Buckinfitch; Aug 8, 2011 at 02:52 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
They sell much cheaper small hand pumps on ebay than what you will pay at Harley. Its also totally normal for them to bleed down over time so check them often. I loved the ride of my air shocks but just I road way too much two up, so I switched to a heavy duty shock. But man, they were like glass riding solo.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
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From: Blaine, WA
The 09+ ones are rated up to 60lbs. so they shouldn't blow there - don't trash them though, they are worth $50 to $100, more if they are lowering shocks.
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hand bike pump, if you used your compressor they are shot already bud... i have been there, have about 9 sets of them in my shop from customers doing the same thing! wish i could rebuild them i would put them back in working order and sell them!
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From: Taylortucky, MI
they have less than 500 miles on them. (13" eye to eye centers)
Last edited by Buckinfitch; Aug 8, 2011 at 08:37 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 255
From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
Info below:
.......
Here's some more information on the air shocks below. The chrome shocks that I ordered above in my previous post had a couple of problems.
One problem is mentioned above. I used individual Schrader valves, which brought my attention to another problem, one of the shocks will not take any air, almost seems like the port in the head of the shock was not drilled all the way through.
So if your using the Harley set up with the single Schrader valve splitting off to both shocks, chances are you wouldn't notice the decreased air capacity of one shock not taken any air.
Recommended air pressures
0-10 lbs for a 150-lb to 200-lb rider.
5-15 lbs for a 200-lb to 250-lb rider.
20-25 lbs for a rider with passenger.
FL air preload rear suspension range is 0-35 lbs of pressure.
FLHRS and FLXH low-profile shocks are 0-50 lbs max.
Harley Davidson, air valve, and hose set up
(One Schrader valve that splits off to both shocks)
54536-02A air shock valve / hose
54320-97 push-in hose fittings (order two, one for each shock)
Individual Schrader Valves
Milton Industries (MILS684) Tank Air Valve
http://www.tooltopia.com/milton-s684.aspx
NAPA part # NTH 90294 (90-294)
http://napaonline.com/Search/Detail....294_0006476757
NAPA part # NTH 90290 (90-290)
http://napaonline.com/Search/Detail....290_0215254349
One problem is mentioned above. I used individual Schrader valves, which brought my attention to another problem, one of the shocks will not take any air, almost seems like the port in the head of the shock was not drilled all the way through.
So if your using the Harley set up with the single Schrader valve splitting off to both shocks, chances are you wouldn't notice the decreased air capacity of one shock not taken any air.
Recommended air pressures
0-10 lbs for a 150-lb to 200-lb rider.
5-15 lbs for a 200-lb to 250-lb rider.
20-25 lbs for a rider with passenger.
FL air preload rear suspension range is 0-35 lbs of pressure.
FLHRS and FLXH low-profile shocks are 0-50 lbs max.
Harley Davidson, air valve, and hose set up
(One Schrader valve that splits off to both shocks)
54536-02A air shock valve / hose
54320-97 push-in hose fittings (order two, one for each shock)
Individual Schrader Valves
Milton Industries (MILS684) Tank Air Valve
http://www.tooltopia.com/milton-s684.aspx
NAPA part # NTH 90294 (90-294)
http://napaonline.com/Search/Detail....294_0006476757
NAPA part # NTH 90290 (90-290)
http://napaonline.com/Search/Detail....290_0215254349
Look up part numbers from the first three links below, then order from Zanotti's or Chicago Harley Davidson. (Zanotti's and Chicago Harley Davidson give at least 20% off parts and accessories including aftermarket parts.)
Original Part Numbers (Parts that originally came on your bike):
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....m_oem/hdmc.asp
Find your year, model, part, then put a 1 in the qty box of the item or items that you want the part number of, then click on "add items to parts list", then click on "send to cart" to get the part number.
Genuine Motor Accessories Part Numbers (chrome, etc.):
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Motor Clothes Merchandise Part Numbers (jackets, boots, etc.):
http://www.harley-davidson.com/mcm/m...bmLocale=en_US
Add /_ _ _ _ for size of an article of clothing after the part number when doing a search on Zanotti's or Chicago Harley Davidson's website's?
small........................./000S
medium..................../000M
large........................./000L
xlarge......................./002L
xxlarge...................../022L
000's are zero's not letters
Zanotti's:
https://www.zanottimotor.com/shopping/partLookUp.html
Chicago Harley Davidson:
http://www.chicagoharley.com/shop/advanced_search.php
Original Part Numbers (Parts that originally came on your bike):
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....m_oem/hdmc.asp
Find your year, model, part, then put a 1 in the qty box of the item or items that you want the part number of, then click on "add items to parts list", then click on "send to cart" to get the part number.
Genuine Motor Accessories Part Numbers (chrome, etc.):
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Motor Clothes Merchandise Part Numbers (jackets, boots, etc.):
http://www.harley-davidson.com/mcm/m...bmLocale=en_US
Add /_ _ _ _ for size of an article of clothing after the part number when doing a search on Zanotti's or Chicago Harley Davidson's website's?
small........................./000S
medium..................../000M
large........................./000L
xlarge......................./002L
xxlarge...................../022L
000's are zero's not letters
Zanotti's:
https://www.zanottimotor.com/shopping/partLookUp.html
Chicago Harley Davidson:
http://www.chicagoharley.com/shop/advanced_search.php
I did the same but used the shorter Street Glide shocks. Much smoother ride, really takes out the road chop. I use a air compressor with a regulator set at 40 psi to fill them, then use a pressure gauge with a bleed off valve and bleed them down to 10 psi. Only modification to make them fit is to trim the rubber boot where it attaches to the shock so that it doesn't interfere with the belt guard, might be better just to shim the shocks out about a 1/4".
More info here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9012
More info here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9012