Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Check your air shocks.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 03:25 PM
  #1  
Jackal's Avatar
Jackal
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: MO
Default Check your air shocks.

I went to add 5 psi to mine last night and found that both lost exactly the same amount of pressure. About 4 psi. in 2 months down from 20 originally. The temp should have been within 10 deg. for sure. No big deal unless you run 5-10 psi and haven't checked since last season. I think I've settled in at 25 psi. for now...mixed solo / 2 up. These are freshly chopped / rebuilt.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 03:34 PM
  #2  
Superfly3176's Avatar
Superfly3176
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
Default

A lot of people run just zero psi on these for solo. I hear of road king users running 25 psi for 2 up, not sure how much is needed on a sportster since it's a lighter bike. You may get better ride quality at a lower PSI. unless you're bottoming out or something.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 05:13 PM
  #3  
Jackal's Avatar
Jackal
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: MO
Default

Yea seems like I generally saw 5-10 solo and 10-20 2-up in a few threads. I am use to dirtbikes and like a FIRM ride. I was even going to go with struts when I first got the bike. I rode it with no air, 10, 15 ,and 20 psi. The more I added, the more I liked it and no feeling of harshness yet. I can't see trying more than 30 solo though...it already rides like a dream compared to stock. Best of all, since adding air and switching mids to ext. fwd. I haven't scraped a thing yet. Not even the pipes or jiffy stand. I feel even more confident on it with the forwards, but who knows...maybe I'm not leaning it as far like this. It was CONSTANT with the mids on.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 05:17 PM
  #4  
Superfly3176's Avatar
Superfly3176
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
Default

Yeah it all depends. 0 is too squishy for me. I prefer 5-7 psi.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:46 AM
  #5  
SGT89EVO's Avatar
SGT89EVO
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: FT KNOX
Default

well with your year the mids had those little tabs that stuck out on the pegs that would scrap first they look like a pos pain on the ***
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:52 AM
  #6  
Jackal's Avatar
Jackal
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: MO
Default

My mids had the non-curb feeler black Diamond series pegs all along.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 12:46 PM
  #7  
IRON19893's Avatar
IRON19893
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: austin texas
Default

i have mine tied to one schrader valve so they are always the exact same psi. i like to run 16 psi for solo 20-25 for 2 up. i also like the firmer ride. im 180 pounds and when i was running 20+ solo i would almost get bounced out of the saddle.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 01:10 PM
  #8  
DK Custom's Avatar
DK Custom
Platinum Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 18,685
Likes: 5,819
From: Hickory Flat, Mississippi
Default

I was running 5 lbs in mine, but since installing the lowering blocks found that 20 lbs is perfect for two up.

I've had a bunch of bikes with the HD air shocks...some new, some used. Every one of them has lost air with time and riding. I check em every few weeks and need to add air most everytime.
 
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
Call/Text: 662-252-8828
Email: Support@DKCustomProducts.com
Open House Details














Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 03:12 PM
  #9  
Jackal's Avatar
Jackal
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: MO
Default

Thanks for the info Kev!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Razorback Rob
Touring Models
19
Apr 26, 2014 10:21 PM
tom lipke
Touring Models
31
Jul 23, 2013 03:11 PM
boutime
Touring Models
8
Nov 23, 2008 12:32 PM
XKROME
Touring Models
13
Oct 23, 2008 08:05 AM
Trek
Touring Models
18
Sep 19, 2008 06:29 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:24 PM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE