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i put the progresive lowering kit in a 2000 road glide. it had a air ride on the front forks. i was wanting to cap the holes were the air went into the forks . will this work this way or should i go ahead an put the air vavle back in . i put an arnott air ride on the rear. any thoughts
no, not really.
HD was playing around with various dampening procedures.
You NEED the parts book for your bike AND the actual HD service manual.
The air applied pressure ro the system, to help regulate the dampening effect.
Which would give you a "soft" ride, or a stiffer ride.
Your other choice would be to replace the front forks with a set that has a valved dampener in the fork.
My 06 flhtci has the valve my 01 has the air.
By the way for those of you that have the valve in bottom and are replacing the shock oil.
You do NOT need HD's special tool.
You can get a clear plastic syringe at farm supply or even some paint stores.
Then any clear plastic hose about 1/4" id will work.
You also don't need the fork holder. I made one from a 2 x 4 and clamped it in a workmate vice.
The air system on your bike does two things. The added compressed air stiffens the suspension, it doesn't alter damping, only spring pre-load and compensates for heavy rider, adding a passenger etc. or adjusts the ride as you like.
In addition, the handlebars act as an air reservoir and are connected to the tops of the forks. There is a solenoid which operates when you apply the front brake, cuts off the handlebars and stiffens the forks. So it provides a degree of anti-dive.
You can use blanking screws to deactivate the air system, or rebuild it as stock and continue to use it.
I have the parts book abd the manual. When we were pulling it apart the book showed a small spring on the dampner. But there wasnt one on ether dampner. Akso there was a tee that ran to both tubes then a line to the valve there. Was nothing running to the bars
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