Air ride installed...
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Well I gave in and tried this set up. Had a leak I couldn't find. Replaced check valve and double checked dump valve. Turns out to be a bad weld on the top of one of the shocks. Couldn't find it until I put the shocks in the sink.
My question is have I missed anything?? Do the shocks need to be shimmed or are they simply bolt on. I was just wondering if maybe I put them in a bind or if it just happens to be a faulty set.........
Coolerman I'd love to get in touch w you to get some personal insights on this. If your willing to do that please let me know!?!
My question is have I missed anything?? Do the shocks need to be shimmed or are they simply bolt on. I was just wondering if maybe I put them in a bind or if it just happens to be a faulty set.........
Coolerman I'd love to get in touch w you to get some personal insights on this. If your willing to do that please let me know!?!
Stage III
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Ok I did that. I replaced the upper bushing with the energy suspensions one. It was easy enough to press out and out a new one in. Since a crappy online company sent me an extra set of bushings by mistake I went ahead and used those for the lowers as well. Fits together very well. Just wanted to make sure alignment wasn't an issue I was missing.
Thank you for the reply. Took forever to find the leak. Who would think to look at the upper eye welds for a leak. Once I get the shocks replaced I'll be home free I believe!
Thank you for the reply. Took forever to find the leak. Who would think to look at the upper eye welds for a leak. Once I get the shocks replaced I'll be home free I believe!
Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette
Just got this system installed on a 12 RK. Took off for a 100 mile ride and all I can say is this is so much better than the stock shocks. Actually is a much better ride. Went with the Monroe shocks and they work great. Thanks for all of the input. Could not have done it without all of the help here.
MC
MC
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, NC
Having just had my 3rd back surgery (and it failed), this post caught my attention. I'm interested in doing this to keep my sanity on long rides. Can anyone possibly give me some information on how the bike feels compared to the garbage OEM suspension? I have been looking at air suspension for quite a while but spending over a grand for comfort right now is insane, our son will be born on July 3rd.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 46
Can people post pics of where they located the switch, I located mine on the lower inner fairing & don't care for it there.
Toby
Toby
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 159
I just ordered a kit off of ebay with a switch that replaces part of your stock controls. It looks nice and is right there when you need it. They have both black and chrome.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-air-ri...item3a8104ef5d
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Having just had my 3rd back surgery (and it failed), this post caught my attention. I'm interested in doing this to keep my sanity on long rides. Can anyone possibly give me some information on how the bike feels compared to the garbage OEM suspension? I have been looking at air suspension for quite a while but spending over a grand for comfort right now is insane, our son will be born on July 3rd.
Take my comments with a grain of salt. I've ridden a SE Road King which had the HD Premium shocks on it. I thought those were world's better than the stock HD shock.
As a comparison, putting the HD Premium's on that SE Road King at a 10 and the stock shocks at a 1, I'd put this custom air ride setup about an 8.
Now, having said that, I've NEVER ridden on a bike with Ohlin's, Ricor's, Progressive's, or anybody else's shocks. I only have 3 shocks to compare to on an HD touring bike.
My viewpoint in doing this was that I was done with the stock shocks and I was looking at spending about $600 no matter whose shocks I went with. The DIY air shock "experiment" was right at $200 for me and I figure if I liked it I'd save myself a few hundred bucks and have a cool looking low rider when parked. If it didn't work out I figured I could sell it to recoup my cost and then get a $600 pair of name brand shocks.
Just my $.02