Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 9
From: Texas, USA
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
Most good shock pumps will not lose air when you disconnect. Just get a good one. And yes just like the wheels, the shock will lose a little over time
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
FanDango6,
The shocks bottomed out. There is plenty of clearance between the tire and the inner fender with the So-Low kit. The R.U.B. lowering kit on the other hand lowers the bike too much. I think you should be fine. There are others here who also have the So-Low kit and encounter no problems. Just be sure you have the right kit for your specific model Harley. There will always be a trade off when modifying your stock suspension. Air shocks allow you to adjust with increased air pressure.
The shocks bottomed out. There is plenty of clearance between the tire and the inner fender with the So-Low kit. The R.U.B. lowering kit on the other hand lowers the bike too much. I think you should be fine. There are others here who also have the So-Low kit and encounter no problems. Just be sure you have the right kit for your specific model Harley. There will always be a trade off when modifying your stock suspension. Air shocks allow you to adjust with increased air pressure.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
My wife complained about the ride last week... so I checked.... 5 pounds... I aired it up to 25 pounds to see what it felt like.... The two of us went riding and I loved the feel... It is a little stiffer but the bumps in the road are taken better... I weigh 250 and I'm a better man for not saying what the wife weighs...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
I have played around quite a bit since this post. I went as high as 20psi with a 125 lb rider. It was a fairly firm ride but like the poster above, it felt nice and controlled. Definitely not wallowing or rigid, but nice and firm. I suppose there was a small element of harshness over extreme tar strips etc. I moved it back to 15 for us...now we're talking. A very pliant ride, but came to realize 12" shocks aren't going to feel like 13" shocks regardless
They look SO cool and the ride is still VERY GOOD, but not excellent some of the time, while riding over roupher surfaces, but 98% of the time it's every bit as good as Road Kings of EG Classics I've ridden. Now..solo with about 6psi and I'll put the ride up against any other touring bike. Hey...it's a sport touring bike with a lowered bad *** stance. I find it to be a near perfect copromise.
Oh yeah...the HD air pump and gauge is one of the most quality pieces I've seen from them...for about $35! They are well turned out and like mentioned above, very consistent with a no loss connection/disconnect.
They look SO cool and the ride is still VERY GOOD, but not excellent some of the time, while riding over roupher surfaces, but 98% of the time it's every bit as good as Road Kings of EG Classics I've ridden. Now..solo with about 6psi and I'll put the ride up against any other touring bike. Hey...it's a sport touring bike with a lowered bad *** stance. I find it to be a near perfect copromise.Oh yeah...the HD air pump and gauge is one of the most quality pieces I've seen from them...for about $35! They are well turned out and like mentioned above, very consistent with a no loss connection/disconnect.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
I ride my Ultra with 20Lbs - solo at 240 lbs. Does seem a bit stiff - probably will try 15lbs. But, pump disconnects nicely and no air loss. But, will lose a lb or two over time.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
after reading post, went out and bought the HD air pump. Hooked it up to the inlet valve and started pumping. the dialed read 0 and after about 50 pumps, still read 0. Thinking the pump was broken, returned it for another one and same thing happens. I am starting to feel stupid now, someone please tell me the trick to this.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
ORIGINAL: howieheels
after reading post, went out and bought the HD air pump. Hooked it up to the inlet valve and started pumping. the dialed read 0 and after about 50 pumps, still read 0. Thinking the pump was broken, returned it for another one and same thing happens. I am starting to feel stupid now, someone please tell me the trick to this.
after reading post, went out and bought the HD air pump. Hooked it up to the inlet valve and started pumping. the dialed read 0 and after about 50 pumps, still read 0. Thinking the pump was broken, returned it for another one and same thing happens. I am starting to feel stupid now, someone please tell me the trick to this.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
ORIGINAL: 2005UltraNC
I ride my Ultra with 20Lbs - solo at 240 lbs. Does seem a bit stiff - probably will try 15lbs. But, pump disconnects nicely and no air loss. But, will lose a lb or two over time.
I ride my Ultra with 20Lbs - solo at 240 lbs. Does seem a bit stiff - probably will try 15lbs. But, pump disconnects nicely and no air loss. But, will lose a lb or two over time.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
I just went through the same thing yesterday after trying to adjust the air pressure on my Road King. I threaded the pump on the air fitting about halfway and could put air in the shocks. I could pump to desired pressure, but as soon as I would unthread, the gauge would drop to zero. What worked for me was pumping up to about 15lbs, and then bleeding a little air off with the pressure release button, to the desired 10lbs of pressure I wanted. I did this a few times, and after bleeding a little air off, the gauge held steady every single time. I was able to unthread the pump off the fitting, without losing any air. Give it a try, and good luck!