Servicing Air Shocks Schrader Valve

[Tuccandler]

Anyone have trouble trying to get the pressure of your air shocks.
My schrader valve is not long enough and every time I put a gauge on it the system bleeds down.

[Lizard]

What gauge are you using? A normal gauge won't work, you need a special zero loss low pressure pump/gauge from Progressive or Harley. DO NOT use a compressor to air up your shocks. If you do, you'll be replacing them.

[Tuccandler]

Thanks, I am using a good old standard tire gauge. I have never seen this special gauge and honestly don't have any issues with other low pressure tires but I'll be checking into it now that I know better. I do use my compressor but set the regulator to 28PSI.

[DakotaTG]

I really suggest you go to using a hand pump made for this type of use such as the one HD has or possibly available at J-P Cycles. You might even check a local automotive parts store. HD has a new one out that is digital but I have the older model that has a round needle type gage which might be still available at your local HD dealer(and cheaper than the new digital). Using too much pressure can blow your air lines or the shocks and that would not be a cheap repair/replacement. You do need to make sure that it can be used on a Schrader type valve and is the type that seals the valve when attaching/detaching.

2011 Merlot and Black TG

[Sloufoot]

QUESTION......
When you air your air shocks up to 50# empty load, no one on board, then load all the things you need on the trike, then load 2 people putting the Trike at or near max load capacity,,,,,, are you violating the 50# air pressure rule? Or .... did MoCo think about this?

[trikermutha]

you can use a shock air pump..I have used one for a bicycle same a the harley and others out there.

[Geezzer Glide]

Well personally myself I think the $50 investment for the right pump to put air in the shocks is cheap investment considering what the cost would be to replace the shocks if one would screw up by accident and blow the seals out of them.
Analog one, $49.95
Touring Suspension Air Pump-54630-03A | Tools & Gauges | Official Harley-Davidson Online Store
Digital one, $69.95
Digital Touring Suspension Air Pump-54000033 | Tools & Gauges | Official Harley-Davidson Online Store
Humm, Let me think, $50 for the right air pump or possibly $300 for new shocks. I don't claim to be the smartest person in the world but even I can figure that math to know what the best way to go is.
Dan

[zbear]

I was at an automotive swap meet in the spring. Walking around, someone had non motorcycle stuff piled deep. On top was an analog pump still in the box. He said he had a bike once, sold the bike, and later found the pump. He was asking $10 for it. I walked away with it for $7. Never used. You never know what you will find at these things.

[GARYD]

Wouldn't be without my H-D pump. I had an old Progressive unit, but the o-ring seal wasn't set right so it always leaked air - only takes a nanosecond to lose 10 or 15 psi while removing the valve. I had to pump it to 60 and hope it settled at 50 after I was done removing it. Tossed the old and bought the H-D

As Geezer Glide said, well worth the money for the CORRECT TOOL.

[trikermutha]

some on ebay for 37 bucks and vary in price

[Lizard]

If you ever used a compressor, even set at 28 psi, you have most likely damaged the shocks.

[Sloufoot]

If you ever used a compressor, even set at 28 psi, you have most likely damaged the shocks.

Please explain why............

[Lizard]

It's the volume. The compressor is a high volume device and even if set for a low pressure, as it hits the shocks to equalize, it puts way too much air in the system. In addition, the Harley shocks are oil shocks with air assist (I think that's the right term). When you check with a standard pencil gauge, you are allowing oil to escape. The Harley gauge is a zero loss gauge and doesn't let the oil escape. Consider, the Harley gauge is maybe 10-12" long. You pump about 2/3 of that length which raises the pressure by pounds. That's very little air for a lot of pressure.

You might get away with using a compressor once, even twice, but eventually, and I'd bet sooner rather than later, you'll blow the shocks right out.

[Sloufoot]

It's the volume. The compressor is a high volume device and even if set for a low pressure, as it hits the shocks to equalize, it puts way too much air in the system. In addition, the Harley shocks are oil shocks with air assist (I think that's the right term). When you check with a standard pencil gauge, you are allowing oil to escape. The Harley gauge is a zero loss gauge and doesn't let the oil escape. Consider, the Harley gauge is maybe 10-12" long. You pump about 2/3 of that length which raises the pressure by pounds. That's very little air for a lot of pressure.

You might get away with using a compressor once, even twice, but eventually, and I'd bet sooner rather than later, you'll blow the shocks right out.

I don't even think so, But at least you are correct about it not taking much air. But you aren't dealing with high pressure air, & if the regulator is working the reaction time would be plenty fast to not over do. If you have a 25'x 1/4" hose which is about average, you have plenty of air in the hose at the set pressure to use before it even starts to use the regulation. The static air in the hose is at the regulated pressure not at the compressor tank pressure. Also the air lines to the shocks are small enough to not let that much volume of air pass. Now if you were trying to use higher pressures & the low volume of air, I would agree ! That is a never do !
The hand pump is the safe way to go anyway. A pain in the rear, but much safer.
Also the air is over the level of the oil in the shock. If some oil happen to get on the air inlet of the shock, you might get a drop. If you get more, you have other problems. Some mfg. say to add air before releasing air to clear the line so to not get oil out the Schroeder valve. A good practice !

[trikermutha]

The best way to sum it up is you will blow the shock seals at some point ..If you use compressed air..

[GARYD]

Don't forget the obvious = you can't carry a compressor with you as you travel. And a compressor costs more if you already don't have one.

People don't mind spending more money for premium gas vs regular gas, but complain about spending a few dollars for the correct air pump.

[Tuccandler]

WOW, great feedback. After reading all the comments I will be getting a HD pump before I service the shocks again. The compressor works but why take the chance for $40-50.
Thanks.

[Geezzer Glide]

Well one can do what ever they chose. If they ruin their shocks it won't cost me a cent.
But I will say it does amaze me. Spend $30,000 for a Tri Glide and refuse to spend $50 for the proper tool to service it.
Oh well to each his own.
Dan

[Sloufoot]

I definitely agree with the hand pump ! But the whole point is like: If you stomp on your break peddle real hard you're going to blow out your brake lights. Or if you plug in that big screen it is going to blow up because there is 2300 volts in that high line on the pole. Doesn't matter there is a transformer(regulator).
I'll leave it there.......
Ride Safe
Ride often !

[Lizard]

Man, those are totally different things. No comparison at all.