Shock Pressure question
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 38
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From: Pennsylvania
Shock Pressure question
I took the bike on a 150 mile road trip this past Sunday and I pumped the shocks up to 30psi before I left. I was riding two up and I think I should have gone to 40psi.... anyways, I went to check the pressure tonight and it was down to 25psi which meant I lost 5PSI on the road trip - should I lose that much air on a short trip?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Mill City Mass.
Honestly I bump mine up for long two up rides and when I get back I let all the air out since I'm only 175lbs. I do hook the pump up and use the release to let the air out and I'm pretty sure I never lost any air while riding........ I'll have to keep an eye on it next weekend.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 38
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From: Pennsylvania
Yes, I went out and bought the harley pump prior to the trip and pumped it up to 30psi, I also made sure that I replaced the cap and it too was tight
I used the pump tonight to check the shock pressure and I was a little surprised it was 25psi. I checked it twice and again with another guage - I surely lost 5psi on this trip.
I used the pump tonight to check the shock pressure and I was a little surprised it was 25psi. I checked it twice and again with another guage - I surely lost 5psi on this trip.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 973
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I don't know why everyone says the Harley pump doesn't lose air. Mine does. It puffs when you unscrew it and loses 3 to 5 psi every time I use it.
I'd try pumping it up, removing the pump and then reconnecting to see what it reads.
I'd try pumping it up, removing the pump and then reconnecting to see what it reads.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 38
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From: Pennsylvania
I did exactly what you said tonight - you are right it looses about a pound of pressure with each release (at least with my experiments tonight - thought the same thing and tried to justify the 5 psi lose).
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
My '08 was losing air when I first got it. I determined it was where the lines connect to the air valve so I had the stealer order a new one. Before the part came in I was playing with the hose connections trying to determine how hard it would be to disconnect the lines. I found out the line wasn't pressed into the air valve fitting all the way and that was why it leaked. Simple fix - I cancelled the order. You might want to check yours.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Minnesota
While you are checking your air line connections you could cut 1/8" off the lines using a new razor blade - cut as square as you can (perpendicular to the line).
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 2
From: Middle Georgia
My Harley air pump does the same thing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
I took the bike on a 150 mile road trip this past Sunday and I pumped the shocks up to 30psi before I left. I was riding two up and I think I should have gone to 40psi.... anyways, I went to check the pressure tonight and it was down to 25psi which meant I lost 5PSI on the road trip - should I lose that much air on a short trip?
Couple of points:
1. My HD pump loses very little air on disconnect, certainly 1psi or less
2. Remember to measure gas pressure at the same temp. If you have been on a long ride the gas will be hot, so let it all cool down first. temp will have a significant impact on pressure - Higher temp = Higher pressure