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Getting one from Amazon. you DO know it's most likely made in China, right? Not exactly known for quality manufacturing expertise, and one tends to get what one pays for. At least, that's been my experience.
There is a possibility that entire lot of air pumps were defective from the manufacture. I never had any problem with the Harley/Progressive Suspension air pumps.
Here's the deal w/ HD air shock Schrader valves and why a standard air pump doesn't work.
The valve used is a standard Schrader valve, just like the ones used on the tires.
The issue is that the shock valve is mounted through a metal plate with a nut locking it down.
This reduces the amount of the valve body that goes into the chuck of the pump.
HD solved this by making their own "stubby" chuck.
If you remove the locking nut and pull the shock valve out of the mounting plate, it will allow a standard air pump to work.
Waiting for the ‘well, the HD one is made in China too”, comments. And as I always say, there a big difference between parts made in China under the oversight and specifications of a top American company, versus Ching Lang Wong, parts cloning company.
Buy the HD one. If you have a problem take it to your dealer.
Oh yeah, if it’s depressing the Shrader valve enough to add air, it should also be able to bleed air, if the pump was designed and manufactured properly.
When purchasing items from Amazon, I carefully read all the reviews, both positive and negative. The following reviews would have been a red flag for me.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
