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[porthole]

Air compressor mounts under the battery - tight fit getting in the frame, even tighter fit getting the nut on the bracket screw. Used duct tape wrapped reverse on my finger - worked

I pulled power form the B+ connector in front of the battery.

[porthole]

The switching solenoid I just wire tied to the frame in front of the battery

[porthole]

Something to keep in mind.

When I installed the hoses I had the bike on the ground. When you raise the bike with no air in the shocks this is what they do.
It is now obvious that the hose is too short.

You can also see where I mounted the switch.

Wasn't putting it on the handle bars and having outside wiring 

[porthole]

My kit had no washers! Fortunately I had some small diameter 1/2" washers.

I also needed spacers to space the shock out from the docking hardware.

Both of these should have been included in the kit.

[porthole]

With air

[porthole]

I called for tech support today:

a- Frank is no longer an employee
b- I wasn't impressed with the help I got.

Between yesterday and today I did about 200 miles.

First impression is I don't like them and they will probably come off

[Capo]

Porthole,
are the shocks an upgrade? I did this install and I did not use the supplied bolts I actually bought new hardened bolts to eliminate the need for spacer washers as the supplied bolts were too tong by nearly .5 inch. I struggled with the second screw on the compressor and ultimately was able to reach in from the outside, turned out to be eaasy that way. Don'y know about the hose length my shocks don't seem to drop that way-I have the QA upgrade and now that I have figured out the dampening I am very happy.

[porthole]

are the shocks an upgrade?

Original shocks - off and in the trash
Progressive 440's
Bitubo's
now the Arnott system

So, I suppose you could say they are an upgrade.

did not use the supplied bolts I actually bought new hardened bolts to eliminate the need for spacer washers as the supplied bolts were too tong by nearly .5 inch.

?  The spacer washer was to give clearance for the docking hardware. If you look close in this picture you can see the shock just barely touches the dock lug.

Clearance is the yellow arrow, my spacer is the red arrow.
Without the spacer the shocks would not install. And, you can't use a regular washer, the diameter is too large.
Either way, a kit should include the necessary washers and spacers.

struggled with the second screw on the compressor and ultimately was able to reach in from the outside, turned out to be easy that way.

I only had 1 screw/nut. It is on the left side of the compressor mount, just difficult to get to. Don't know how someone with big mitts would do it.

Don't know about the hose length my shocks don't seem to drop that way-I

No air in the shocks, lift the frame and let the wheel hang and that is what the shocks do. So my hose ended up being too short. Odds are I could always leave a bit of air in the shocks and this wouldn't be an issue, but I re- did the hose and made it longer.

have the QA upgrade and now that I have figured out the dampening I am very happy.

QA upgrade? What is this?

[FNGw/08SERK]

Hi Duane, once again thanks for taking the time to post the pics and share your experience. In your view, having tried the 3 aftermarket rear shock soulutions what is your overall final opinion on the pros and cons of the different setups?

Thanks,

Howie

[Puzzled]

QA upgrade? What is this?

The QA1 shocks were available at one time in limited quantities. IMO the are slightly better than the Bilsteins and not quite as good as the Aldan's (yours).

The differences between some of these shocks is minimal. The guys who are heavier in body weight tend to have a better ride. Odd as that may sound these air shocks like weight. Two up and full gear they ride great. Flying solo takes some tinkering with either the shock settings or air pressure settings.

porthole should you talk to Arnott again ask for Adam the owner or Don the CEO (real owner). They tend to be a little short fused but they do know about air rides. Duane, I would think with your body weight (jealous) you would need those shocks set pretty light on the compression side. If your unable to dial the bike in with the existing shock I'd be curious if they could re-valve one for you? 

[porthole]

The QA1 shocks were available at one time in limited quantities. IMO the are slightly better than the Bilsteins and not quite as good as the Aldan's (yours).

The differences between some of these shocks is minimal. The guys who are heavier in body weight tend to have a better ride. Odd as that may sound these air shocks like weight. Two up and full gear they ride great. Flying solo takes some tinkering with either the shock settings or air pressure settings.

porthole should you talk to Arnott again ask for Adam the owner or Don the CEO (real owner). They tend to be a little short fused but they do know about air rides. Duane, I would think with your body weight (jealous) you would need those shocks set pretty light on the compression side. If your unable to dial the bike in with the existing shock I'd be curious if they could re-valve one for you? 

QA's - answers that question.

Well if they like weight I guess I'll have to try that - only went to the air because of the convenience of adjusting. Ride is most important for when my wife is on the bike

I spoke with I'm guessing Adam's wife yesterday with him in the background telling her everything to say, eventually he finally took the phone and talked to me and was very short with his answers.

And as to my suggestions that he shocks should have included spacers and washers he thought that was not a good idea, as well as including instructions for setting up the Aldens.

Apparently I have an issue with the valve adjustment and tried his suggestion and will test it out today.
On my kit one shock would only turn 5 clicks.

I have been trying the air preload across the range. Will try the range again today now that I think I have the valve working.

Mike - let me know when the linkage is ready to settle up.

[Capo]

QA's - answers that question.

Well if they like weight I guess I'll have to try that - only went to the air because of the convenience of adjusting. Ride is most important for when my wife is on the bike

I spoke with I'm guessing Adam's wife yesterday with him in the background telling her everything to say, eventually he finally took the phone and talked to me and was very short with his answers.

And as to my suggestions that he shocks should have included spacers and washers he thought that was not a good idea, as well as including instructions for setting up the Aldens.

Apparently I have an issue with the valve adjustment and tried his suggestion and will test it out today.
On my kit one shock would only turn 5 clicks.

I have been trying the air preload across the range. Will try the range again today now that I think I have the valve working.

Mike - let me know when the linkage is ready to settle up.

The QA's are air too and have 17 click adjustment from mush to GP500 setting I am at about 13 clicks and feeling real good

[porthole]

Today they came off.

[DesertHOG]

Today they came off.

So what did you finally end up with as your rear suspension solution?

[mrmagloo]

Duane, have you every tried the Legends? If so, I'd like to hear your comparison to the Arnotts?  Just looking at the pics, I was surprised to see no boot protecting the piston?