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[Skunky Dog]

Has anyone tried to do this homemade air ride that I have been seeing on some of the other forums?
Just wanted to know how it worked and if the tire rubs and where people have mounted their compressor?

[Puzzled]

I ran it for 10 years on my 01 and I'm pulling the 11 way adjustable Aldan shocks off of my 13 for another set. The travel and ride is better than stock. I like the travel as it allows me to get my bags farther off of the ground.

[Puzzled]

[TinSpinner]

What is this post about? More specific questions elicit more specific replies. 

[Puzzled]

What is this post about? More specific questions elicit more specific replies. 

Homemade air ride... Homemade air ride consists of using Monroe or Gabrial air shocks from a mid 60's Corvette. Compressed they measure 9 1/2" and extended they are 14". They have about 1 1/2" more travel than any of the "Motorcycle" specific shocks, ride better than the four different companies I've tried, cost considerably less even with the bushing and push lock upgrades. Of course there are nay sayers as these are car shocks, BS. They work and work well. The guys with extended bags like them as they raise high enough to get through the corners without leaving a trail of fiberglass.

On my 13 CVO

[BigLew]

Sounds great, I have a couple of questions. How well do they ride? How do they preform when riding the twisties? And can you adjust the stiftness at any height? In case I'm riding one up and the bike low but want it stif so I can ride more aggresively?

BigLew

[Puzzled]

How well do they ride?

They ride far better than the 11 way adjustable Aldans, Bilsteins, 1st and 2nd generation Legends that I've owned.

How do they preform when riding the twisties?

They work very well. With the urethane bushing change they stiffen right up and eliminate the tendency to want to twist on the bushings (stock bushings are soft).

And can you adjust the stiftness at any height?

No. You add air to stiffen which also adds height. They are different than the motorcycle specific shocks. At any ride height they perform well.

In case I'm riding one up and the bike low but want it stif so I can ride more aggresively?

No. For me when riding aggressive I have them aired up so I don't drag bags. Since I've only ridden with stock bags for less than a year total since 01 my experience with this scenario is limited. Once aired up you can increase the stiffness. I have ridden hard with the shocks fully dumped but not in the corners.

[BigLew]

Thanks, so is there a kit out or just buy the parts all over the place and put together?

BigLew

[Puzzled]

LOL, less expensive to source the parts. There are companies selling complete kits if you wanted to go that route.

[BigLew]

I'm all about saving money and the vette shocks sound great. Not sure where to begin.

BigLew

[Rig Magician]

Big Lew,
 I am thinking about doing the upgrade and I have been reading allot on it. You can go to amazon and search the Monroe MA785 PN and it will come up. I will also show all the other parts that were bought with it on the same page. Also Xotic Customs has a kit for 499$ with all the parts and instructions. Just depends on how you want to go about it.
Mark

[Puzzled]

Amazon had the best price.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C55SVE/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bushings.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN9DEO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lowes/Depot 4- 5/8" OD x 1/2" ID sleeve by 1 1/2" (I'll double check that.

Compressor, momentary switch to add air, dump button to release air or Arnott handlebar switch (21-2610 C or B) to add and release (will need a release solenoid), 5/32 tubing, Tee, fitting for 5/32 to compressor (usually 1/8" NPT).

Not as bad as it sounds. Ebay is a great source for compressors. Viair is good pump, 90 or 92C depending on mounting location. Gast 30R157-P101-L200 is what comes in the Arnott kit.

[HogPro]

I had these on my bike until recently when part of my system had a problem.  I would always ride at 14" and found teh ride to be much better and smoother than anything else I have tried.  I had the Monroe's on but got a set of the Gabriels to try next.  I avhe 4" extended bags and never scraped them with this setup although I did find that my bike would not move when the shocks were all the way down.  That is the only reason I took the other set off.  I ahdt o be able to roll my bike out of the way.  I know have JRI 13" shocks and the ride rough compared to the Monroe's. 

[2018_FLTRXSE]

I had these on my bike until recently when part of my system had a problem.  I would always ride at 14" and found teh ride to be much better and smoother than anything else I have tried.  I had the Monroe's on but got a set of the Gabriels to try next.  I avhe 4" extended bags and never scraped them with this setup although I did find that my bike would not move when the shocks were all the way down.  That is the only reason I took the other set off.  I ahdt o be able to roll my bike out of the way.  I know have JRI 13" shocks and the ride rough compared to the Monroe's. 

This answered my question about ride at lowest point (should a line beak, etc)

The only concern I would have is that automotive shocks are designed to work in conjunction with a spring (coilovers being an exception)

If at low point the shock bottoms there may be another application that has the same end mounts but has a longer compressed length.

[HogPro]

My bike is also an 05, not sure if there is a difference on the 09 and newer with the new frame.