SG air shock installation help
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SG air shock installation help
OK I got the SG air shocks, I been reading other post about how to install them. I just need alittle help. one question is, do I have to have a jack? If so where can I buy one pretty cheap?
Also, I dont understand the psi level, more psi is a softer ride or harder?
like I wiegh about 180, so should I add 7 psi or 25 psi? I will be going two up now and then, I take it I can change the air when I need to?
and about what size washers will I need? thanks
Also, I dont understand the psi level, more psi is a softer ride or harder?
like I wiegh about 180, so should I add 7 psi or 25 psi? I will be going two up now and then, I take it I can change the air when I need to?
and about what size washers will I need? thanks
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 57
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From: Indy
I did this exact same upgrade yesterday. I hope I can help.
I did buy a jack, but I am not sure you would really need one. I found a 1500 lb jack at Harbor Freight and Tools for $69.99. It did the trick.
As for PSI, I am currently running 0 PSI in each shock. I bought schrader valves today but I have not gotten a pump yet to fill em up. That being said, the ride with 0 PSI was better than the sh*t shocks that come on my Nightster.
The washers I got were 7/16. I put three on the top and bottom of each shock mount.
Hope this helps.
I did buy a jack, but I am not sure you would really need one. I found a 1500 lb jack at Harbor Freight and Tools for $69.99. It did the trick.
As for PSI, I am currently running 0 PSI in each shock. I bought schrader valves today but I have not gotten a pump yet to fill em up. That being said, the ride with 0 PSI was better than the sh*t shocks that come on my Nightster.
The washers I got were 7/16. I put three on the top and bottom of each shock mount.
Hope this helps.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 10
From: Woodbridge VA.
Here's how I did mine (from another post https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...ng-shocks.html )
Well I got my shocks from Frontiercat (Thanks again buddy) 12" chrome RK shocks. I sanded them down, primered then spray with Rustoleum Satin Black hi temp grill paint.
Put them on sunday and started out with 20lbs of air but the ride was pretty much the same so I dropped it to 10lbs.
WOW, what a difference in ride that was, I then dropped to 5 and that is where I feel it is just right for me. The ride is as others have said "night & day" different. The stock shocks on the Iron could feel pretty brutal on some bumps so this is now soo much better. Can't say enough how much I like the ride. Anyone thinking about this mod should do it, it is well worth it.
Details of my swap:
RK 12'' lowered shocks
1 added washer to top bolt
2 washers to bottom bolt -clearance to belt guard about 1/8"
washers added to both left & right side to keep things looking even.
fill valve mounted just ahead seat on frame (seat covers valve so it is not seen unless looking for it)
I am 5'8" 235lbs - air pressure is 5lbs
shocks raised my bike about 3/4" over stock so no obvious difference in hieght of fender. Plus when my fat butt is on the seat who can tell.
Attached Thumbnails
Well I got my shocks from Frontiercat (Thanks again buddy) 12" chrome RK shocks. I sanded them down, primered then spray with Rustoleum Satin Black hi temp grill paint.
Put them on sunday and started out with 20lbs of air but the ride was pretty much the same so I dropped it to 10lbs.
WOW, what a difference in ride that was, I then dropped to 5 and that is where I feel it is just right for me. The ride is as others have said "night & day" different. The stock shocks on the Iron could feel pretty brutal on some bumps so this is now soo much better. Can't say enough how much I like the ride. Anyone thinking about this mod should do it, it is well worth it.
Details of my swap:
RK 12'' lowered shocks
1 added washer to top bolt
2 washers to bottom bolt -clearance to belt guard about 1/8"
washers added to both left & right side to keep things looking even.
fill valve mounted just ahead seat on frame (seat covers valve so it is not seen unless looking for it)
I am 5'8" 235lbs - air pressure is 5lbs
shocks raised my bike about 3/4" over stock so no obvious difference in hieght of fender. Plus when my fat butt is on the seat who can tell.
Attached Thumbnails
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 10
From: Woodbridge VA.
Also added my black powder coated Willie G. skull Derby & Timing covers (with eyes painted red)
Dang, just realized how bad my engine looks with that white crap (oxidation) on it. Time to clean her up and maybe some touch up painting to do.
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Dang, just realized how bad my engine looks with that white crap (oxidation) on it. Time to clean her up and maybe some touch up painting to do.
Attached Thumbnails
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I did this exact same upgrade yesterday. I hope I can help.
I did buy a jack, but I am not sure you would really need one. I found a 1500 lb jack at Harbor Freight and Tools for $69.99. It did the trick.
As for PSI, I am currently running 0 PSI in each shock. I bought schrader valves today but I have not gotten a pump yet to fill em up. That being said, the ride with 0 PSI was better than the sh*t shocks that come on my Nightster.
The washers I got were 7/16. I put three on the top and bottom of each shock mount.
Hope this helps.
I did buy a jack, but I am not sure you would really need one. I found a 1500 lb jack at Harbor Freight and Tools for $69.99. It did the trick.
As for PSI, I am currently running 0 PSI in each shock. I bought schrader valves today but I have not gotten a pump yet to fill em up. That being said, the ride with 0 PSI was better than the sh*t shocks that come on my Nightster.
The washers I got were 7/16. I put three on the top and bottom of each shock mount.
Hope this helps.
Just take one side off at a time and you will not need a jack. The PSI can be checked with an air gauge like you would check the tire pressure in any tire with except you need one that will do as low as 1 lb. Here is a pdf on installation instructions for air shocks which might help. http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ts/-J02179.pdf and here is a link to the best pump with a built in gauge for these shocks, the dealer sells these for around the same money as this guy is asking http://www.amazon.com/Harley-Davidso.../dp/B0016J9S0W Hope some of this helps you.
The psi is pounds per square inch so the higher the # the stiffer the ride is gonna be, I run around 5 to 7 pounds in mine that are installed on a 95’ 883. Even with no air in them they ride just fine as long as you don’t weigh 300 lbs or more. These shocks are a huge improvement over stock and you will enjoy them i am sure. P.M. me if I can be of further assistance.
The psi is pounds per square inch so the higher the # the stiffer the ride is gonna be, I run around 5 to 7 pounds in mine that are installed on a 95’ 883. Even with no air in them they ride just fine as long as you don’t weigh 300 lbs or more. These shocks are a huge improvement over stock and you will enjoy them i am sure. P.M. me if I can be of further assistance.
Last edited by Just Dave; Mar 17, 2010 at 07:42 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 10
From: Woodbridge VA.
Also you DO NOT want to use your shop compressor or the gas station air hose to add air to the shocks. The volume of air they hold is so small that a difference of 1-2 lbs is noticable and adding too much air can blow the bladder in the shock (they are NOT rebuildable) So the hand pump is best for this.
Good luck and enjoy your shocks, just about everyone that has made this change likes them. I know I do!
Last edited by bolillo57; Mar 17, 2010 at 10:41 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 10
From: Woodbridge VA.
I have read that some people use a bicycle pump but have to use a seperate guage to read the pressure.
My suggestion - Just bite the bullet, pay the $40-45 bucks for the HD pump and you'll be set. I got mine for $42. The pump has a guage on it, push button air release and it will not lose pressure when unscrewing pump from valve. Cry now (price of pump) and get it over with.
My suggestion - Just bite the bullet, pay the $40-45 bucks for the HD pump and you'll be set. I got mine for $42. The pump has a guage on it, push button air release and it will not lose pressure when unscrewing pump from valve. Cry now (price of pump) and get it over with.
How much cheaper do you want? http://www.amazon.com/Harley-Davidso.../dp/B0016J9S0W You do want something that works dont you. If you are gonna complain over 40 bucks then I dont think anybody can help you. Good luck.