Air Shocks pressure loss
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 640
Likes: 44
From: Mancheser UK
Air Shocks pressure loss
Hi Guys,
Just done a forum search and cant find anything about this.
I have a 2012 Road King Classic, bought new, ( below ) .
I have noticed that over time the pressure in the rear shocks will drop by a few psi. ( I usualy check it about once a fortnight / month ).
Is this usual or should I be speaking to my dealer in spring when the bikes back on the road . ( Salt all over the roads for winter ).
Thanks for any advice.
Just done a forum search and cant find anything about this.
I have a 2012 Road King Classic, bought new, ( below ) .
I have noticed that over time the pressure in the rear shocks will drop by a few psi. ( I usualy check it about once a fortnight / month ).
Is this usual or should I be speaking to my dealer in spring when the bikes back on the road . ( Salt all over the roads for winter ).
Thanks for any advice.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
My 02 RK and 09 Ultra both did the same thing, when I was on week long road trips I carried the pump with me and had to add some psi every few days after riding 2 up and loaded. I have now switched to Ohlins shocks, never have to worry about it again.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 14
From: Bellevue, NE
I think it's fairly normal. Mine do it too. Granted, I still have the stock HD air shocks, so that may be part of it, but it's no big deal to me to add a little air once in awhile, so that's what I do.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 7
From: Eau Claire, WI
I was losing 10-15 psi every couple days when I first bought my bike. I had a pump so I could keep it where I wanted it, but it was a PITA to keep adding. I made an appt to get them checked at the same time I had my 1K done. Wierd thing is thye stopped leaking just a few days before I took it in. Figured maybe there was some kind of debris/dirt in the schrader valve. No issues since then, but looking to put some Ohlins on anyway.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
It's a common problem, usually due to the air lines not being properly seated in the line connectors between the air inlet schrader valve and the shocks. Odd to hear of this on a 2012... more common on older bikes. Given that it's a new bike, presumably under warranty, I would bring it up to the dealer.
I have a 1998 Road King Classic. Same problem. I removed the air lines from the rear shocks, renewed the ends of the lines and made sure they were properly seated in the push in air fittings, capped the 1/8 NPT fittings on the air line assembly (removed from the shocks), pumped them to 35 psi and set in a bucket of water. No bubbles. No leaks.
To test the shocks, I bought two 1/8 NPT air tank schrader fittings at Tractor Supply for $7 and installed one on each shock where the air lines would normally attach. Pumped to 15 psi (25 psi is the max pressure for the shocks). The left shock went flat, indicating a bad internal seal.
Progressive 412-4002B, 13" standard duty springs, on order to replace the air shocks and eliminate potential air leaks in the system. I will eventually put Progressive springs in the forks.
I have a 1998 Road King Classic. Same problem. I removed the air lines from the rear shocks, renewed the ends of the lines and made sure they were properly seated in the push in air fittings, capped the 1/8 NPT fittings on the air line assembly (removed from the shocks), pumped them to 35 psi and set in a bucket of water. No bubbles. No leaks.
To test the shocks, I bought two 1/8 NPT air tank schrader fittings at Tractor Supply for $7 and installed one on each shock where the air lines would normally attach. Pumped to 15 psi (25 psi is the max pressure for the shocks). The left shock went flat, indicating a bad internal seal.
Progressive 412-4002B, 13" standard duty springs, on order to replace the air shocks and eliminate potential air leaks in the system. I will eventually put Progressive springs in the forks.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Doesn't sound right for a new bike. Suggest you have the dealership check it next time you have your bike in for service. Now is the time to take advantage of the warranty to address everything that does not meet your expectations.
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Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Had to check my bikes with air shocks once every 2 weeks and they were always down 5-10 lbs. because of leaks or temperature fluctuation. Finally got sick of it and got the Ricors, a little better ride as well.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
I guess mine must be the exception. I used to check them before every ride when I first got my bike (2010) but they were always topped up. Now I usually only bother to check when I wash it and have the bags off. Even then, they usually have held their pressure - maybe lose a lb or two at most every now and then. I'm surprised to hear of so many people having leaks - or rather not seeing more posts from people NOT having problems with pressure loss.