Question for suspension experts. Race tech spring rates.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,929
Likes: 8,033
From: poway
Max,
Those are not the air ride shocks, these are for that year,
snip.
But the 54000082 and 54000081 you show can be rebuild, will need to add charging ports, but the bigger question is if you should in the first place?
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TxcAA...nl/s-l1600.jpg
Its kind of like the bikes that the front forks only had adjustment on one side only as well as shocks that only have dampening adjustment on one side, the other side just going for the ride that can cause problem across the two with either fork flex, or swing arm flex when both sides are not constant in dampening to begin with.
Hence on such bikes, prefer to replace the suspension parts with parts that are not just slaves to the other side in the first place,so reaction loads to each side are the same, not one side being a slave.just going for a ride to the other side that is working differently instead.
As for rebuild of the 54000082 and 54000081 , need to compress the springs to pull the retainer clips out of the bottom to remove the springs, drill the shock tops for charge ports to relieve the upper piston pressure, then can pop the end caps at rod side, remove the spring rings, and pull the entire rod assembly and seal out the bottom. Once that is out, use air pressure through the charge port you just drilled, to drive the pistons out, and now can clean the parts, thread for the charge ports, do what you need to do with the seals and rod parts, them re-install the parts with fluid )making sure to get all the air bubbles out) , install the charge ports since pistons should be all the way upwards and nitro charge the shocks.
Note charge ports are added to top of shocks above top of piston, just under top eye pieces in top of shocks in this photo to top of shock cylinder flats.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TxcAA...nl/s-l1600.jpg
Think shock in the middle that uses piston in cylinder itself and which does already show a charging port, but no reserve tank to put piston there in the far right shock.
Those are not the air ride shocks, these are for that year,
snip.
But the 54000082 and 54000081 you show can be rebuild, will need to add charging ports, but the bigger question is if you should in the first place?
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TxcAA...nl/s-l1600.jpg
Its kind of like the bikes that the front forks only had adjustment on one side only as well as shocks that only have dampening adjustment on one side, the other side just going for the ride that can cause problem across the two with either fork flex, or swing arm flex when both sides are not constant in dampening to begin with.
Hence on such bikes, prefer to replace the suspension parts with parts that are not just slaves to the other side in the first place,so reaction loads to each side are the same, not one side being a slave.just going for a ride to the other side that is working differently instead.
As for rebuild of the 54000082 and 54000081 , need to compress the springs to pull the retainer clips out of the bottom to remove the springs, drill the shock tops for charge ports to relieve the upper piston pressure, then can pop the end caps at rod side, remove the spring rings, and pull the entire rod assembly and seal out the bottom. Once that is out, use air pressure through the charge port you just drilled, to drive the pistons out, and now can clean the parts, thread for the charge ports, do what you need to do with the seals and rod parts, them re-install the parts with fluid )making sure to get all the air bubbles out) , install the charge ports since pistons should be all the way upwards and nitro charge the shocks.
Note charge ports are added to top of shocks above top of piston, just under top eye pieces in top of shocks in this photo to top of shock cylinder flats.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TxcAA...nl/s-l1600.jpg
Think shock in the middle that uses piston in cylinder itself and which does already show a charging port, but no reserve tank to put piston there in the far right shock.
The only indication as far as year goes is 2016 FLHX.
The 43.5mm spring implies he's running 49mm fork. I think they went to the shock I posted when HD did the Rushmore's.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1,422
From: Lost
Ive RWD shocks in the rear. Not factory. I dont have the tools, space or skillet to do all these repairs. So Ill have to send it RWD for rebuild.
I may even consider getting top of the line Ohlins, and keep rotating when others are out for rebuild. Not sure if thats a good idea.
Last edited by pyuchem; Feb 22, 2025 at 07:50 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TxcAA...nl/s-l1600.jpg
Walk in the park and if you click the above link, take a look at the shock where the rod comes out under the spring, can see the knock on type caps, that will just cover the seal and the circle clip that holds the seal/seal head in place in the body of the shock.
Think this,
As for what is missing on the shock, is the charge port that HD has the manufacturer leave off the shocks, to claim that they are not rebuilding in the first place.
Walk in the park and if you click the above link, take a look at the shock where the rod comes out under the spring, can see the knock on type caps, that will just cover the seal and the circle clip that holds the seal/seal head in place in the body of the shock.
Think this,
As for what is missing on the shock, is the charge port that HD has the manufacturer leave off the shocks, to claim that they are not rebuilding in the first place.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
Pyuchem, it really comes down to if you have more money them time, or want to learn how to wrench on the bike to save huge on its maintenance cost in the end instead.
So yourself, few hundred with parts, fluid, valves with you doing the work,
while could be looking at $2.5K for such at dealers or shop with is all farmed out instead.
Note, dealer will not change the fluid in the rear air shocks, so would be looking at the cost to have them replace the air shocks with new units instead (read totally throwing the baby out with the bath water, when you replace the entire shock, instead of just replacing the fluid in the shock that will cost less then $9 for both shocks)
So yourself, few hundred with parts, fluid, valves with you doing the work,
while could be looking at $2.5K for such at dealers or shop with is all farmed out instead.
Note, dealer will not change the fluid in the rear air shocks, so would be looking at the cost to have them replace the air shocks with new units instead (read totally throwing the baby out with the bath water, when you replace the entire shock, instead of just replacing the fluid in the shock that will cost less then $9 for both shocks)
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