Air shock questions for the experts.

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Feb 7, 2012 | 05:24 PM

Bagger Jim

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From: Fort Myers, Fl.

Air shock questions for the experts.

Just got a set of air shocks off Ebay, and the seller said they were full of oil and capped. I can see they are capped, but how do you check the oil level? Second question is: can you run them without pressure? I took it around the block with no pressure, and it seems like it would bottom out easily.

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Feb 7, 2012 | 05:33 PM

Glidedsternfan

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From: Laurel, Maryland

Question

Are these off a touring bike?
If yes, you should not run them without air cause you'll bottom out.
Be really carefully filling them up with air. They max out at 60lbs and it only takes a couple of seconds on a compressor to fill them up or blow them out.
Buy the suspension air pump from HD, it's only another FIFTY BUCKS.

GSF

Feb 7, 2012 | 05:33 PM

rooti

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From: New Braunfels, Texas

I would start by weighing them individually. At least you will see if the two are consistant with each other. I would start by riding with 5 pounds and go up from there. Get a shock pump...do not use any kind of compressor or you will blow the seals.

Feb 7, 2012 | 06:06 PM

gartec81

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From: san diego

I have them on my 08 street bob. they were new tack offs from the dealer. the only complaint I have is one of them has started squeeking? dont know what causes that

Feb 7, 2012 | 06:42 PM

1HD1C

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From: northeast

dont bother weighing, the touring bikes have 5wt oil in them and due to the angle on the wide glide you will need at least 7wt. personally i ran 10 wt in mine and it was perfect at 9lbs of air and 15 with my wife on the back.

do you know what the part number was off hand as you will need that also to determine how much air you can run, the older shocks i think was 30lbs of air max and the newer shocks can run up to 60

Feb 7, 2012 | 07:08 PM

bikerlaw

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From: Richmond, VA

Yes, dump out what ever is in there and get heavy weight shock oil. Touring shocks are grossly under sprung for a Dyna. Heavy weight oil and 20-30 lbs should do you fine. More with a passenger. Solo they great shocks but only marginal with a passenger and awful with a heavy passenger.

Last edited by bikerlaw; Feb 7, 2012 at 08:17 PM.

Feb 7, 2012 | 07:09 PM

Bagger Jim

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From: Fort Myers, Fl.

The part number is 54662-09. I believe they are off a Street Glide, 11.5" according to this list compiled by Daytona Sportster on the Sporty forum.

54532-85
54536-02A
54540-93
54565-09 FLH FLHT FLHR FLHTI 13" (G5E3-00)
54565-97 (A) FLH 13"
54565-97 (B)
54565-97 (C)
54631-02B Road king FLHRS or FLHX or FLTRX 12" shock pair "low profile"
54632-98 bagger 12" or 12.5
54635-09 12"
54661-02A Road King FLHR Street Glide 12" single shock "lowered"
54662-09 street glide 11.5"

I did borrow a Harley pump (the 50 dolllar one) off a friend with a Street Glide. All I have to do is find some fittings for the top of the shocks. I'll try some air first and see how it rides. I might change the oil afterwards.