Shock Air psi- How Often?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Not sure of the location on yours (it's on the left on my 07 SG) but I wanted to mention that you shouldn't use a compressor to air it up if you haven't done it before because it can blow out the diaphrams. H-D makes a little hand pump especially for adjusting the air in the shocks. If you look at the top of your shocks you should see a fitting with a small plastic tube coming out of it, follow that tube and it should lead you to the fill valve.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I've only checked my shocks a few times in the nearly two years I've had my bike. Based on my experience they only lose a psi or two in several months. I know that's not a whole lot of data points to draw any conclusions from, but now I usually only check them before a long trip.
Same with tires, I'm not nearly as **** about checking them as some folks. Usually once a month or so. They're always within a few psi. If a tire is significantly low, you'll know it when you ride.
Same with tires, I'm not nearly as **** about checking them as some folks. Usually once a month or so. They're always within a few psi. If a tire is significantly low, you'll know it when you ride.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Not sure of the location on yours (it's on the left on my 07 SG) but I wanted to mention that you shouldn't use a compressor to air it up if you haven't done it before because it can blow out the diaphrams. H-D makes a little hand pump especially for adjusting the air in the shocks. If you look at the top of your shocks you should see a fitting with a small plastic tube coming out of it, follow that tube and it should lead you to the fill valve.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 28
From: Bothell, WA
As I was looking for an alternate location for the air tank for my FLHP air-ride seat, I figured a way to get a pressure gauge attached to the right shock. In doing this I removed the y-valve that was mounted on the left side of the bike so the air-line goes directly from the left shock to the connector on the right side. Gauge is visible just inside of the right saddle bag:
Here are the brass fittings I had PC'd black:
THis setup moved the valve to the top of the shock so it is a bit easier to get at.
Here are the brass fittings I had PC'd black:
THis setup moved the valve to the top of the shock so it is a bit easier to get at.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
As I was looking for an alternate location for the air tank for my FLHP air-ride seat, I figured a way to get a pressure gauge attached to the right shock. In doing this I removed the y-valve that was mounted on the left side of the bike so the air-line goes directly from the left shock to the connector on the right side. Gauge is visible just inside of the right saddle bag:
Here are the brass fittings I had PC'd black:
THis setup moved the valve to the top of the shock so it is a bit easier to get at.
Here are the brass fittings I had PC'd black:
THis setup moved the valve to the top of the shock so it is a bit easier to get at.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Check weekly but not always needed but sometimes is .. Just did a 6,000+ mile trip to AZ and back needed to add air once in a 2 week period .. Sometimes goes a month easy without other times might lose 5-10 in a week think all depends on what kind of riding have done .. whether Solo, 2 up loaded, type of roads ridden , etc ..