Rear suspension air frequency
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 122
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From: Union City
Rear suspension air frequency
I have a couple of questions in regards to the air in the rear suspension. I have a 2010 SG and tend to change the PSI a lot.
1. Here is an example of what I am talking about. Ride to work so change it for me solo, come home and take the lady for a ride and add more, go out again alone and take it back down. Is there any problem with changing it that much?
2. Other question is how much air do you usually lose on a ride. I just took the bike in for servicing and they said everything was ok with the suspension, but if I take it to 48 psi and go for a ride when we get back sometimes it might be around 44 and next morning 42. Is this normal?
Thanks for all the help.
1. Here is an example of what I am talking about. Ride to work so change it for me solo, come home and take the lady for a ride and add more, go out again alone and take it back down. Is there any problem with changing it that much?
2. Other question is how much air do you usually lose on a ride. I just took the bike in for servicing and they said everything was ok with the suspension, but if I take it to 48 psi and go for a ride when we get back sometimes it might be around 44 and next morning 42. Is this normal?
Thanks for all the help.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I don't know of anyone changing it that often. I'd be concerned with the amount of moisture that could build up in the shocks.
I would set it for 2 up and tolerate the stiffer ride when solo.
Mine looses a couple PSI after 2 or 3 months.
I would set it for 2 up and tolerate the stiffer ride when solo.
Mine looses a couple PSI after 2 or 3 months.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
I don't have an 0'10, but I do have an '08. You can change the pressure as often as you want, won't hurt a thing. As far as the pressure change, I've heard others on here say the same thing. Myself, and all those I know personally, agree on one thing, it should not change over time. I go for months without checking it, then if we're planning on packing, I go to put more air in for the trip, it's still the same as the last time I checked it. If it's just fluctuating and not continuously going down, maybe it's a function of temperature. I would think the difference between a cold shock and a hot shock might vary a few PSI. Just my thought, I don't check often enough to see any fluctuation.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Tea, SD
1. Find a happy medium.....
A pressure that's good for riding solo and also short trips with the misses.
Now on trips with the bike loaded that's going to be different also.
2. This is a low volume air system......
Everytime you check it you will loose some...
A pressure that's good for riding solo and also short trips with the misses.
Now on trips with the bike loaded that's going to be different also.
2. This is a low volume air system......
Everytime you check it you will loose some...
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 14
My 2010 limited was doing like yours. I could loose 8 lb a day. First dealer said that's normal and I add air all the time. I asked another dealer and he said no way. He replaced all the air lines under warr just yesterday. I will let you know how it goes.
Last edited by Flintshooter54; Sep 30, 2010 at 03:24 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
I have a couple of questions in regards to the air in the rear suspension. I have a 2010 SG and tend to change the PSI a lot.
1. Here is an example of what I am talking about. Ride to work so change it for me solo, come home and take the lady for a ride and add more, go out again alone and take it back down. Is there any problem with changing it that much?
2. Other question is how much air do you usually lose on a ride. I just took the bike in for servicing and they said everything was ok with the suspension, but if I take it to 48 psi and go for a ride when we get back sometimes it might be around 44 and next morning 42. Is this normal?
Thanks for all the help.
1. Here is an example of what I am talking about. Ride to work so change it for me solo, come home and take the lady for a ride and add more, go out again alone and take it back down. Is there any problem with changing it that much?
2. Other question is how much air do you usually lose on a ride. I just took the bike in for servicing and they said everything was ok with the suspension, but if I take it to 48 psi and go for a ride when we get back sometimes it might be around 44 and next morning 42. Is this normal?
Thanks for all the help.
I'm 235, and ride at 38psi solo. Two-up I raise to 48. It doesn't matter how often you change the pressures, it won't hurt anything.
If your shocks leak down over time, the air line fitting or schrader valve are usually the problem. You can try and find the leak by pumping up to max pressure, then spraying some window cleaner (like windex) at each hose connection and in the schrader valve (last resort) to see if there's a leak.
If you find the leak, push the collar down, cut the air line with a razor behind the crimp mark created by the fitting, reinsert the air line and pull the collar back up to hold the line in place. That should take care of the air leak.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
Good advice JCleary,
My 09 was loosing a bunch of air and they checked the fittings and replaced a few..much better now. I just make it a policy to check the air once a week like I do in the tires and adjust both as necessary.
My 09 was loosing a bunch of air and they checked the fittings and replaced a few..much better now. I just make it a policy to check the air once a week like I do in the tires and adjust both as necessary.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 930
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, FL
I have to check mine on a regular basis as well. Lose 2 to 4 psi a month. I am not worried about trying to find a problem as the stock shocks are, in my opinion, pure junk, and I am waiting on the funds to get built up so I can replace them with some good quality shocks.
HD has finally realized their air shocks are poor quality since they have come out with the upgrade for the CVO streetglide that isnt air.
HD has finally realized their air shocks are poor quality since they have come out with the upgrade for the CVO streetglide that isnt air.
