Hi All 

My 2007 Road King Custom has Harley Air Shocks.  The Custom comes from the factory with a 1" lowered suspension over the Classic King.  Bit of a harsh ride no matter what pressure I have put in them.  Im just 170 lbs and even low pressure down to 5 psi is rough.  The dont hold pressure very well either.  Not that impressed and was thinking of replacing them and was wondering if any of you guys have had the same issues and replaced your stock shocks with something different ?

 

Your comment , "They dont hold pressure very well" ,, is a problem , and in my opinion, that would effect the performance of any air shocks ... Check the push in connectors , check the lines,, replace the valve, and see if at least you can get the system to hold the proper air pressure you want...
PS.. I take it you are using the Harley , or similar pump ???

Hey markwoumla

Have only had a quick look tugging on the lines etc.  I'll pump them up a bit and get a bit of soapy water on them to check for leaks.  No I dont have a harley pump.  I have a compressor in my garage and a pretty accurate tire guage.  Does the harley pump do something different ?  Im guessing you have a Touring Bike and are happy with your Air Shocks ?  I dont like spending money I dont have to, and am willing to try anything before spending hard earned on new shocks if I dont need to.

Jersey

Hey Jersey,  if you have used an air compressor inflating the shock you have probably damaged the shocks!  They only hold a miniscule amout of air and I found a regular bicycle pump was too much, then when I disconnected it and checked the pressure I lost whatever air I put in.

The Harley pump is tiny and 1 or 2 pumps can put 30+ psi in.  The good thing about it is that it has a gauge built in and it has clean break when you undo the fitting so you don't loose air pressure.

Those shocks are fair to mudling with the exact amount of correct pressure.

 

Cheers,

Pete

.

Wrecked buy using a compressor

Holy Shit Peter.  I did realise it was a very small system with no reservoir and was very careful. The bike is a 2007 I bought 6 months ago with only 4500 kms on it.  WHen I got it home they were empty but knowing the guy I bought it from was prolly never checked in 7 years.  I have set it to 5 PSI twice since trying to soften it up.  I dont think I ever got it above 35 PSI.  Gees I hope I didnt fuck it. Guess Im going to have to go over it pretty carefully to ensure.  Thanks for explaining the small pump requirements without calling me a DickHead !  Even a Bycicle Pump was too big ??  Fuck

Shit Walka. Now im pissed off at myself. Any idea how I can check them to see if I fucked them ? And if I blew seals why are they so stiff ? Wouldnt they be soft ?

I run 2 psi in mine with no pillion.

Hey Jersey, a quick way to check them is to see if the rear of the bile rises when you pump the shocks up.  One up, I used to run 28-32psi (max 50psi) on my ultra limited.

If the shocks aren't lifting the rear then that will explain why they are riding so rough, the shocks have no travel to absorb the bumps.

The ultra used to wallow like a pig if there wasn't enough air in the shocks.

Cheers,

 

Pete

Been thinking about this all day and cant wait to get home and stuck into it. The bike sat for a long time before I bought it. Like I said 8 years old and only 4500kms on it when I bought it. The dust was thick enough to think it had been started but not had a good ride in a couple years. I'm wondering if something didn't lock up over time. Going to check the shock rebound and start pulling it apart tonight.

Get on You tube, there is heaps of info about the rear shock and how to pump them up

Important to get the pressure right for two up or carrying heaps of baggage you need 'travel' in the shocks, surprised that when you bought the bike the seller didn't explain some of the finer points, I've had two Road Kings and both came with the pump in the saddle bags and passed them on to the next guys when I have sold them. Owners manual has a little on it also.

Can anyone suggest a good starting point for these shocks? 

Spook's 2 PSI seems low, but he's getting old and gets confused. Just need to get myself a pump. ....GRAZO 

FYI, I looked at the pumps at Horsham Harley and standard was about $60, Digital about $90.

Theres always a cracker on these forums ! Im at Zayro Spook !! LOL OK Just came in. Here's what I did. Checked Pressure. At Zayro again. Pushed up and down as hard as I could on rear end and only moved about 1/2'. Put 20 psi in and looked for any upward movement as I was inflating. None. Shocks did not move as Peter suggested they should. Tried to compress up and down again and locked up tight. Im only 180 lbs but I couldnt move it down. Put Bike jack under bike and expected to see back wheel drop when I lifted it. No drop. Stayed tight as I raised it and with no weight on the wheel. Pulled the shraeder valve out and checked it and all seems fine there. These are Showa air shocks. Remembering my bike is a Road King CUSTOM; The Custom came with a 1" lowered suspension so my shocks may be different to most other touring frame air shocks. Im thinking they are fucked; just too stiff and not acting as I would expect. If I put the pressures some of you guys are saying your running your bikes at I would be riding a HardTail. It locked up tight at 20 PSI with No lift or drop when I took weight off on bike jack. WTF? Thanks for all the comments. Any more thoughts ? I'm thinkin new shocks and may slam it a bit lower while Im at it.

Pretty sure I saw a bloke selling the dial-type rear shocks on here with min kms on them. They're the type used on newer street and road glides.