This is probably a stupid question but I am not sure about setting up the suspension on my 89 FLHS.
The ride feels really rough when hitting any bumps. Is it better to increase air pressure or decrease it? Does there need to be any air in the suspension at all?
And finally when do you know you need to rebuild or replace all of the suspension? If I do replace parts any good suggestions on brands? Sounds like a good winter project doesn't it.

 

1990 FLHS here. I spent a lot of time on this! Stock shocks, even when new, are at best poor quality. So you have two choices IMHO, after deciding to thrown them away, as they are probably shot. You can either do as I started to do, which is to try umpteen (that is a large indeterminate number!) 'affordable' alternative brand shocks, waste a lot of time and spend a lot of money - or phone Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal and buy a pair of his custom-built Ohlins. Within a very short time you will be in dream land, wondering why your bike is riding so well......

 

If the shocks are original, they are twenty three years old. I think you might want to think about replacing them.
John

 

The bike only has 150000 miles on it so I was hoping for a quick fix. Looks like I will replace it all this winter. Thanks for the responses.

 

I eliminated the air front suspension and went all Revtech in the front with gold emulators. on the rear I'm running 09 Ultra factory Showa's (there cheap and easy to find) they work 1000 times better than the dead stockers, at least till I can afford some Ohlins.

 

I mean't 15,000 miles.
Thanks for the advice.