Bicycle pump cause damage to rear shocks?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 760
Likes: 6
From: Central Wisconsin
I've used a 'bicycle' hand pump for 25 years w/o any problems!!
The problem isn't with the pump, it's usually with the 'power device'!!!
Those little hand held bike pumps work as well as that $40 'suspension pump' at 1/4 the cost. Only good thing about the 'suspension pumps' is the built-in pressure gauge.
The problem isn't with the pump, it's usually with the 'power device'!!!
Those little hand held bike pumps work as well as that $40 'suspension pump' at 1/4 the cost. Only good thing about the 'suspension pumps' is the built-in pressure gauge.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Songtan, South Korea
I have a pump on the way. Got a good price on eBay, $29.95 with free shipping. eBay item #290339057837 Air Shock Pump Harley Touring Road King Street Glide 
Item title: Air Shock Pump Harley Touring Road King Street Glide
Web Address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290339057837
Item title: Air Shock Pump Harley Touring Road King Street Glide
Web Address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290339057837
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
There are 2 related problems.
The first is that you're dealing with a very small volume system. Therefore even a bicycle pump can overpressure the shocks fairly easily. The damage comes because the weak link in the system is the seals in the shocks. If you damage them, they aren't serviceable.
Second is that the Harley pump (or any suspension pump), is what's called a "zero-loss" pump. The flexible tube acts as a pressure chamber, and the fitting is specially designed to allow the Schrader valve to close, before it breaks the connection. This way the gauge reading is exactly what remains in the system when you disconnect the pump. A bicycle pump loses air when you disconnect the hose from the valve. The low volume of the suspension means this amount of loss will have a significant effect on the pressure remaining in the shocks.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
The first is that you're dealing with a very small volume system. Therefore even a bicycle pump can overpressure the shocks fairly easily. The damage comes because the weak link in the system is the seals in the shocks. If you damage them, they aren't serviceable.
Second is that the Harley pump (or any suspension pump), is what's called a "zero-loss" pump. The flexible tube acts as a pressure chamber, and the fitting is specially designed to allow the Schrader valve to close, before it breaks the connection. This way the gauge reading is exactly what remains in the system when you disconnect the pump. A bicycle pump loses air when you disconnect the hose from the valve. The low volume of the suspension means this amount of loss will have a significant effect on the pressure remaining in the shocks.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 760
Likes: 6
From: Central Wisconsin
When you pump them up, does the pressure stay or does it leak down shortly after you apply pressure? If it leaks down then you have a seal problem...somewhere.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've used a 'bicycle' hand pump for 25 years w/o any problems!!
The problem isn't with the pump, it's usually with the 'power device'!!!
Those little hand held bike pumps work as well as that $40 'suspension pump' at 1/4 the cost. Only good thing about the 'suspension pumps' is the built-in pressure gauge.
The problem isn't with the pump, it's usually with the 'power device'!!!
Those little hand held bike pumps work as well as that $40 'suspension pump' at 1/4 the cost. Only good thing about the 'suspension pumps' is the built-in pressure gauge.
This is one of those topics in danger of creating an internet myth. The fancy pumps were not readily available when I bought my bike new back in 1990, so a bicycle pump it had to be. The 'proper' pump is great to use, but not necessary and neither pump will not cause any harm if used with care.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
That could happen if you used a bicycle tire pump and not the low pressure bicycle shock pump!....which is the same as the Harley pump!
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 474
Likes: 5
Ok, so why not use a compressor?
I have done it in the past, before I bought the HD pump. I bleed the tank down to 50 psi and then fill the shocks. As long as you don't go over the max allowed for the shocks, you should be fine. The HD pump is easier because you get the exact pressure that the gauge reads with no bleed down as you are disconnecting.
I have done it in the past, before I bought the HD pump. I bleed the tank down to 50 psi and then fill the shocks. As long as you don't go over the max allowed for the shocks, you should be fine. The HD pump is easier because you get the exact pressure that the gauge reads with no bleed down as you are disconnecting.
