@elfnyc; DD85; wachuko

So I pulled the trigger and got the air shocks. Found them on e-bay in CA and got a sweet deal on them. Basically the shorter 54662-09 - 2012 RKC air shocks. And they had the stock air line and bracket included too! Friday I was off and DW and I took a ride to visit HD dealerships we’ve never been to in a 100 mile radius from our home. In route we found a place that services both on and off road bikes and I picked up 2 new bottles of shock oil in plans to freshen up the shocks when they arrive. I had no clue if they’d be leaky in the box etc when they arrives so figured why not just get it while I see it.

Shocks arrived Saturday and I was on the fence about draining the oil and adding the new oil. Shocks were clean as described and in great shape and box was bone dry and no leaks anywhere. As it goes I figured I’d always wonder if they would ride better with new oil so I decided to change out the oil. Had to build a gig like many showed…and draining the oil was no big task. Bit of pumping and the oil flowed freely till I heard just sucking and saw no more oil. Both had very close to 10 oz in them when I got the oil out. And it was pretty dark in color. Bigger problem was adding/filling the shocks with the new oil. I have plenty of syringes with different tips at home since we use them at work for solvent bonding. They’ve saved me many times when I’ve had to remove fluids from containers, gear cases on tools etc… So I figured I got this covered. BUT wow it was a 2 person job and it took about 40 mines each to fill each shock. And it was HARD work really. I had to continually PUMP and make the shock breath and suck the oil in. NO matter what I did, tip – tilt – or else the air pocket produced stop the feeding of the new oil. Only solution was to pump the shock continually, actually pop/release it from full rest OUT position to allow the oil to be fed. Maybe I mis-read this in the other posts…but I had no idea it would be such a chore to refill the oil. Wife had to use the syringe and I used the jig I built to pop/move the shock. Good thing was that BOTH shocks acted the same way so they are both strong and took the same effort to fill. In the end shocks did get filled – we put in 10 oz of the new oil and it took a mere 25 mins total to install the new shocks. I had to remove my saddle bags, not quick release type, or it had taken about 10 mins each side. 2 washers each bolt top and bottom bolt and viola it was done and ready to route the air lines and mount the filler air port. I chose to zip tie it under the left panel where the maxi-fuse and ECM data port connector reside. I added 2 psi and took it out for a ride.

UNREAL! This is by far one of the best upgrades I could have ever done! Thank you to for the tips and advice to do this. My Sportstour was at about 90% enjoyment of riding. Always fun but stiff and harsh. And now with this upgrade its well over 125% fun and enjoyable. I could not ask for more! I went for a quick ride and came back home and had DW get dressed for a ride for ice cream. Yea – not drinkers… We were not even on the road for 1 mile and she leans forward and says WOW what a difference! I can feel it smoothing out the ripples in the road and bumps. YES it is like a flying carpet.

Sunday I went with a group of buddies who ride Sportsters and we all have the upgrade Sundowner HD seats on our bikes. We took a 200 mile round trip ride. My bike ran great and was very very comfortable. Each said they wanted to do this upgrade too. They all sat on my bike and took it for a rip to feel the difference. Bigger guys then I am – they all said they could definitely feel an improvement. Looks like there will be a bigger demand for these repurposed RKC air shocks!

Thanks to this forum for having a place for folks to try and help thru experience and share their knowledge to improve the breed and enjoyment of others. Less this thread I may never have done this upgrade and really not knew what I was missing. Glad it was less than the more expensive shocks too. I’m in for $92.00 total – that is the shocks – IN GREAT SHAPE – the 2 day shipping and the bottles of new shock oil, which I still have almost 1 full one left for spare.

THANKS AGAIN!
Pics coming soon…

 

GMRO,

 

GMRO good job and enjoy the new ride because it sure does feel like one after this upgrade.

 

glad you got the new shocks and enjoy them .. now go ride it

u said 2 psi riding 2 up ? you both must be skinny bones lolol
enjoy

 

I wish they worked as well on Dyna's as they appear to on Sportsters. I tried them and with the different "leverage" points they didn't work out. Hope I can sell the shocks to someone who can benefit from them.

 

Well I sort of guessed on the psi. We run 8 psi on the UC2006 when 2 up. Usually 8 to 10 pending on how we load up. Figured these RKG shocks are for a heavier bike so on the sportie I'd give 2 psi a shot. Seems to work. I may try a little less when I'm alone...but really thus far I can't be happier! Shocks are doing their thing and bike is happy.

Now...less progressive tubes...what about the front forks? I can hear'em now. I thought I read somewhere that someone changed out the oil in them and it helped. Used a syringe and tube to reach the oil. Can this be done to help the OEM's do any better?

I did try a search...and didn't find a lot of help. Lots to sift thru...

THANKS for all the help!

PS> we aren't super light weights...but pretty light. DW will be happy with that observation!

 

Y...YES...YES IT DOES!

THANKS again for the advise.

 

Rode my bike around 120 miles yesterday. I found it quite comfortable and seem to have lost the numb bum (***) sensation I used to get? So I no longer have any plans to change the seat now.

I was following Bloat3r on his 48 and I did notice he took a few heavy whacks over some bumps, which I sort of winced and prepared for, but they never came. Very pleased with this upgrade.

 

I'm searching eBay as we speak Mr T

Having my shocks cranked right up means it's like a pogo stick !

 

I scored a set of 13" and need to get some lowering blocks. I've seen the prices range from $20-$100. Are the cheaper ones ok? They are 1/4 steel and welded.