Dumb question. When I attempt to put air in my shocks, it goes in VERY quickly up to about 30 or so psi. When I unscrew the nozzle from the bike, air escapes. I do not think that I am getting any air at all in the shocks. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Hardy

 

When you first put the pump on it, does it show any pressure?

 

unscrew what nozzle?

I add air to my shocks and then check pressure until I have the right ride usually around 15 psi. Each time I check the pressure about 3-5 psi escapes, so adding up to 30 psi to start with is good.

 

Gentlemen I can tell by your air loss after filling that you guys aren't using the Harley Air pump. This is the only tool that should be used to air up those shocks. This pump has a zero loss feature when you disconnect it from the shock. You have a $20,000 bike pony up for the HD air pump.

Tim

 

This pump works well and is not expensive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Air-S...Q5fAccessories

 

You should only be using a Hand Pump... Do Not use a Compressor, you'll blow the seals. Read the Manual.

 

You are only suppose to us Harleys hand pump or you can blow the air shocks. It also works on all the after market air shocks.

 

i went through this myself just recently. i had taken my air shocks off right after i got the scoot and replaced them with my 4 year old progressive 440s. after riding them for about a year, i noticed that the ride was getting very harsh. so i sent the shocks back to progressive under warranty.

in the meantime, i had to put the old air shocks back on. well, i did not put them back on 'exactly' the same way they came off (the air lines anyway) so when i would screw the air hose onto the fitting it did not depress the schrader valve all the way. couple of pumps, the gauge would show 15 psi. unscrew the hose, psssstttt.... what was happening was that i was getting 15 psi in the valve stem, but none of the air was actually getting into the shock. the bracket that the valve was attached to was just a hair thicker than the original. took the nut securing the valve off, then attached the hose to the valve, and pumped it up to the required spec.

an easy way to tell if this is the same problem you were having. if it jumps up to 15 psi with only 1, maybe 2 strokes, (which by your origianl post is what it sounds like) then your probably not getting air into the shock, and if you are using a 'lossless' pump, such as the hd one. then i would check to make sure that you are able to get the hose screwed on far enough.

not necessarily true. see my above reply.

 

+1 for what Skratch said,also get a reading first, a true one,then carefully watch your gage.What you are getting is a false reading of the pressure in the air stem not the bladder,hope this helps.Go easy by the way.

hope this helps,
wolf1

 

u should use a hand pump like it tells you in the handbook,