to those who have RK air shocks
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 4
From: SF BayArea
to those who have RK air shocks
I am bidding on some RK shocks for my sporty....question is how do you adjust the air in them once they are on? do I need a special pump or anything?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
No experience with the RK shocks, but I do alot of mountian biking and the suspension on most bikes uses the same type of air spring as the RK shocks. For fine tuning the ride they make a small hand pump that has an in line pressure gauge (it even has a button to let out small bursts of air to set it where you need it). Not sure of the pressure that the RK shocks need, but something like this might work...
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...To+300Psi.aspx
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...To+300Psi.aspx
Honestly, the best pump out there is the one HD sells, its about 40 bucks, but it has a gauge and a bleeder valve. DO NOT use an air compressor. You will eventually blow out the valving inside the shocks.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 636
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
make sure the shocks have an air line that joins into one fitting. it is way easier to adjust the air evenly that way. i believe the settings were 10-15 for solo, and 20-25 for 2 up. but i have ran the shocks with no air pressure and it rode great.
It depends what year RK they came from. The reccommended settings are different from 09 and up tourers and the pre-09s
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 2
From: Fairmont, Wv
most guys sit on the bike and cap off the air shocks like that with no air. try it like that then add air to your liking
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 636
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
how much dif?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Yeppers
Very Good Advise there ..
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, NE
RK and pump...
My 2 cents...
I put on RK's this summer - tried a bicycle pump..I have valve on both shocks, didn't want the hose runing up under the seat or trying to figure out how to hide it so went two valve route couldn't get pressure same with the bicycle pump and then when you put an air gauge to check it you loose pressure and at such a low amount to start with it doesn't take much.
So I bought the HD pump as suggested. At first I balked at the price versus a bike pump - but I can get exactly the same amount of air in both shocks, the bleed off valve is great, the air pressure gauge is awsome, it holds where your at not bouncing around or resseting when you stop pumping.
It's small enough to load when you go on trips so you can use it on your tires if need be. I have an 07 roadster and like the clearance for the rough roads here in Nebraska so I set mine at 25lb and left them there, it is so much nicer than the stock shocks. No more bottoming out on railroad tracks and concrete buckles.
I put on RK's this summer - tried a bicycle pump..I have valve on both shocks, didn't want the hose runing up under the seat or trying to figure out how to hide it so went two valve route couldn't get pressure same with the bicycle pump and then when you put an air gauge to check it you loose pressure and at such a low amount to start with it doesn't take much.
So I bought the HD pump as suggested. At first I balked at the price versus a bike pump - but I can get exactly the same amount of air in both shocks, the bleed off valve is great, the air pressure gauge is awsome, it holds where your at not bouncing around or resseting when you stop pumping.
It's small enough to load when you go on trips so you can use it on your tires if need be. I have an 07 roadster and like the clearance for the rough roads here in Nebraska so I set mine at 25lb and left them there, it is so much nicer than the stock shocks. No more bottoming out on railroad tracks and concrete buckles.