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[Copper/Black Cvo]

Been doing some riding in the saddle lately on my bike, Getting ready for the trip to York about 4 hours from home...

With about 10 lbs in each saddle bag and 15lbs in the Tour pak...total of 35lbs

I have notice that the bike is bottoming out from time to time while riding over certain bumps in the road (Bumps not NYC Potholes)...

My weight is 200lbs with no passenger on board and the bike is bottoming out...Why is it doing this

Are the stock shocks adjustable or do they need to be replaced 

[Fired00d]

Stock shocks are adjustable. Check the air pressure in them you probably don't have enough air in them. If adding more air doesn't do it for you then there are aftermarket shocks a lot better. Progressive, Bitubo's, and Legend Air are some of the most common ones used by members here.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

For the SERK?  Sounds like you need to pump them up more.  It has air shocks.  Nipple is hidden by the right saddlebag.

They also leak down.  Almost all of them do.  So every few weeks or couple of months expect to have to pump them back up again. 

Having said all that the stock shocks from Showa are marginal at best (i.e., they suck).  Look at the Progressive IAS 440s for a good upgrade.  Available from many different vendors.  More expensive, but also an even better shock, are the Bitubo that can be purchased from a company called Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia.

[Copper/Black Cvo]

What device do you use to pump up the shocks?

The air hose from a gas station or a bicycle air pump?

How much pressure do you generally pump the shocks up too...

[Fired00d]

You need a low pressure pump. The MoCo sells this one - Suspension Air Pump. Maximum pressure should be the same as mine (50lbs) I'd suggest checking to see what's in there and then add in 5lb increments until you find something that is comfortable for you.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

You need a low pressure pump. The MoCo sells this one - Suspension Air Pump. Maximum pressure should be the same as mine (50lbs) I'd suggest checking to see what's in there and then add in 5lb increments until you find something that is comfortable for you.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Definitely pump it up with a small hand pump.  Every few weeks.  Right after the little buggers leak down again.... 

[Copper/Black Cvo]

Thanks again for the great info...

Will be purchasing one tomorrow....

Thanks again...

[Twolanerider]

Also note one thing before using your hand pump the first time.  Unless Harley has finally corrected it for years it was the case that the air valve that you attach the pump to did not stick through it's bracket far enough for the pump to engage the Shrader valve.  So you'd actually have to take the valve out of the bracket, then hook up the pump, pump it up and put the valve back in the bike mounted bracket. 

If you screw the air pump's hose end fitting on the valve on the bike and it doesn't seem to be doing anything; it's probably not.  If so, that's why.

[grc]

What device do you use to pump up the shocks?

The air hose from a gas station or a bicycle air pump?

How much pressure do you generally pump the shocks up too...

I would suggest never using a gas station air hose, since the high volume and pressure will most likely destroy the shocks.  Even if you managed to not overinflate the shocks, controlling the amount of air would be very difficult due to the low volume of the shocks.  The best method is a hand operated pump, like the one H-D sells:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442292571&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302290991&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302290991&bmUID=1208138927298&bmLocale=en_US

Your owner's manual will have a recommended air pressure chart based on rider and passenger weight, and will also list the maximum pressure.  For a 200 lb. rider, I would suggest starting at approximately 25 psi.  Try it, and if it still feels like it's bottoming add a few more psi.  You will need to experiment with the air pressure until you find a setting that suits you. 

Jerry

[Copper/Black Cvo]

Twolanerider....

Thanks for the heads up...

[SPIDERMAN]

I have as much use for the stock rear shocks on an H-D bagger as I do for those big rubber scrotums that some yahoos hang on the back of their pickup trucks

Just my $0.02

B B

[CVOJOE]

I have as much use for the stock rear shocks on an H-D bagger as I do for those big rubber scrotums that some yahoos hang on the back of their pickup trucks
Just my $0.02
 B

Yep, what Brian said. Get into some Pogressives or something. If you're staying with the stock, and want a pump I have one gathering dust on a shelf that may as well get put to use. PM me if you're interested.
Joe

[Copper/Black Cvo]

I purchased the HD air pump today and found the page in the manual of the black & white picture of the air valve....

Took off the right saddle bag and I JUST CAN NOT FIND THE AIR VALVE.....

Can someone help me with a picture or a description of where this valve is........

Thanks....

[Fired00d]

Try under the left side saddlebag. You'll see a silver/chrome looking cap (similar to a valve stem cap) that you can screw off. If that still doesn't help I'll get a picture.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Hoist!]

I purchased the HD air pump today and found the page in the manual of the black & white picture of the air valve....

Took off the right saddle bag and I JUST CAN NOT FIND THE AIR VALVE.....

Can someone help me with a picture or a description of where this valve is........

Thanks....

I ripped those air shocks out long ago, but if I remember correctly, the valves are on the left side.

Hoist!

[Copper/Black Cvo]

Thanks...

Found it on the left side....

I want to pump the shock up to 30 psi....

Stupid question to follow...

Do you use the gauge on the pump to measure the psi in the shock??? Pumping until you reach 25psi...

[Hoist!]

Thanks...

Found it on the left side....

I want to pump the shock up to 30 psi....

Stupid question to follow...

Do you use the gauge on the pump to measure the psi in the shock??? Pumping until you reach 25psi...

Pump it to the pressure you want, maybe a touch more. Then remove the gauge real fast, or you'll lose the air you just put in. Doesn't take much air Sal. I'd run at least 30, 2-up w/luggage.

Hoist!

[Fired00d]

I use the gauge on the pump, and then recheck w/tire gauge just to verify the air is really getting in the shock. If for the reason Twolane mentioned earlier the air isn't really going in the shock but is sealing on the chuck it will build up pressure and show that on the gauge. Rechecking w/the tire gauge after releasing the pump verifies the air really went into the shock.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Copper/Black Cvo]

Thanks Guys for the info...

The shocks were below 10psi when I started....

Pumped them up to 25-27psi...

Planning to ride tomorrow night after work...to test the shocks out

Thanks again for your help

[SBB]

Thanks Guys for the info...

The shocks were below 10psi when I started....

Pumped them up to 25-27psi...

Planning to ride tomorrow night after work...to test the shocks out

Thanks again for your help

Remember, you lose a pound or two depending how you disconnect! (and how fast)
Allow for that!

 

[Twolanerider]

Remember, you lose a pound or two depending how you disconnect! (and how fast)
Allow for that!

 

Yeah, recovery of that last little bit requires putting your lips on it, sticking your tongue on the Shrader valve and blowing until your eyeballs counter rotate.

[SBB]

Yeah, recovery of that last little bit requires putting your lips on it, sticking your tongue on the Shrader valve and blowing until your eyeballs counter rotate.

That sounds like the voice of experience speaking?
Which begs for this,

 


 

[sadunbar]

That sounds like the voice of experience speaking?
Which begs for this,

 


 

hehe...I thought it and you said it....   

[Twolanerider]

That sounds like the voice of experience speaking?
Which begs for this,

 


 

No, that's not one of those things you do yourself.  Good standing in EBCM means spinning the tale in such a way that someone else actually does it for you thinking it really needs to be done .

[SBB]

No, that's not one of those things you do yourself.  Good standing in EBCM means spinning the tale in such a way that someone else actually does it for you thinking it really needs to be done .

True! O so true!
Besides, you only have one shrader valve left and front forks don't count.
But I have to be careful, I have reached that Spiderman delete status!
So no spinning of tales for me tonight!

 


 

 

[SPIDERMAN]

Yeah, recovery of that last little bit requires putting your lips on it, sticking your tongue on the Shrader valve and blowing until your eyeballs counter rotate.

At the risk of all hell breaking loose

Don,
       I s'pose knowing your totally peverse sense of - - - well just about everything I guess, I don't imagine that you hadn't thought of trying the above while in the throes of  - - hmmm how shall I put this - - - ahhhh,  the throes of ecstasy

B B

[Twolanerider]

At the risk of all hell breaking loose

Don,
       I s'pose knowing your totally peverse sense of - - - well just about everything I guess, I don't imagine that you hadn't thought of trying the above while in the throes of  - - hmmm how shall I put this - - - ahhhh,  the throes of ecstasy

B B

Why no Brian, not me .   And, just for the record, I have also never had a young lady riding pillion who just would not shut the hell up all day long.  Mile after mile whining about every little frakking thing.  It's windy.  It's hot.  It's cold.  It's going to rain one day next month.  I'm thirsty.....  On and on and on and on.

To the point that at a gas stop I pulled off the saddlebag, pointed out the air valves and told her exactly what she should bend around and do to them rather then keep yapping while we were going down the road.  That guy, just south of Cody, WY, was not me.  And I have no idea why I'm still single either .

[CVOJOE]

I have also never had a young lady riding pillion who just would not shut the hell up all day long.  Mile after mile whining about every little frakking thing.  It's windy.  It's hot.  It's cold.  It's going to rain one day next month.  I'm thirsty.....  On and on and on and on.