Shock help
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 211
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Shock help
Guy I have a question about shock support. My wife and I are heavier, and I set the air at 50psi when we ride 2 up on my 2005 Ultra. I am leaking air slowly somewhere.....I am thinking about switching out to a set of the premium HD hand adjustable shocks. My question is....will the hand adjustable shocks support our weight better or worse compared to the 50psi on the air shocks? Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
Yes. But don't get the short 12s. Get the 13s. Or even see if anybody will give u a set of new air ride shocks they took off. They are different than what u had. Higher pressure and work ok if on a budget. Save up and bite the bullet buy ohlins if u ride a lot. They say Howard will get u close. I do a lot with springs and shocks in race cars. A guy that knows what he is doing is invaluable when it comes to spring rates and shock valuing . I ain't that guy on bike shocks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
You need to find the source of the leak. It's a pretty simple system.
Use soapy water and pump the system up and look for bubbles. If the shocks aren't leaking it has to be the Schrader valve or the lines and fittings.
I had a similar problem after changing the oil in the shocks. System wouldn't hold air pressure. It turned out to be a loose fitting where the air line enters the shock. Make sure the air line is pushed all the way in or it will leak.
it shouldn't be hard to find the leak.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,850
Likes: 220
From: Sacramento, CA.
Find & fix the leak if possible. But if you buy the HD Adj. shocks make sure they're 13". Good luck.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 15
From: San Dimas
I don't know about crap--they're head and shoulders above the air shocks that come on the base models. I test rode them back to back, and after setting preload (that's the only adjustment the premiums have) and air (on the base models), there was a distinguishable difference. The premium didn't bottom-out harshly the way the air ones did over sizeable bumps, and the rear felt a bit more composed. I opted for the base Vivid Black with air shocks (didn't want ABS nor need a touchscreen system), and will upgrade to the premium shocks until I'm ready to do premium aftermarket shocks and a front end.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 25
No big concern though if you do leak out. These shock's aren't like true air shocks on cars. They won't drop you down to where you're rubbing the tire and fender. You'll bottom out some on bad bumps until you get them sealed and not losing air. My wife and I ride two up all the time. I'm the heavy culprit in the pair and certainly have us overloaded.
Head
