ARE THEY ALL THE SAME? And the groan...

[Condor]

When I bought the '99 I picked up a couple of suspension pumps off eBay. They were no-names, but looked exactely like the Progressive and Harley pumps. One was a low presure 0-30psi and the other reads 0-300psi. When I tried to pump up the front forks with the 0-30 it wouldn't hold the pressure after I stopped pumping. 2-3 secs. and it would bleed down to zero. I've used them in the past and they worked just fine, and unscrewed off the schreader valve without loosing any air just like they're supposed to. Now they're non-ops. Leading up to the question. Are all these pumps made by the same manufacturer, or are the no-names on the market copies?? Also are the Harley pumps made in the US. I'm thinking of paying the big price and picking up a Harley or Progressive, but if I'm not going to gain anything in quality it doesn't make sense....

BTW I did tear down the 0-300 to see if maybe the check valve might be stuck but could only go so far, and couldn't get to it. Everything looked fine, but if it's chinese you never know....

Now for the groan.. When I get on Seven in the AM the rear shock groans a bit... Nothing the rest of the day. Am I going to need a shock fairly soon???

[bongobobny]

As John Arbuckle said, "You get what you pay for..."

[ragtop69gs]

Now for the groan.. When I get on Seven in the AM the rear shock groans a bit... Nothing the rest of the day. Am I going to need a shock fairly soon???[/size][/font]

 

Mine did this also, I removed the shock and links , cleaned and lubed everything, problem solved.

[EasyRider]

MAYBE THE GROAN IS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELSE (NO COMMENT ON WHAT THE OTHER CAUSE COULD BE) WHEN YOU TURN ON THE LIGHT IN THE GARAGE IS IT PARKED NEXT TO A FIRST GEN??

[friesman]

I have the Harley pump and it works great with no bleed off when removing the fitting, and it seem like a failry well made piece of equipment for the 50 bucks I paid.

My rear shock has groaned on my 03 every cool or cold morning since I bought it in early May, but is fine on the warm mornings. Iv put about 18000 kms on the bike this year and was kinda thinking I might need a shock, but so far so good.

I read on the other website that a guy took the shock out and he used the air tube (removed Shrader valve) to syringe in some Marvel mystery fluid into it to help lubricate the seals internally. I don't know if it helped extend the life of his shock, but it was indicated that it stopped the groaning. But it should be noted that he also cleaned and lubricated all of the connections on the shock mounts when he had it out.

[Condor]

As John Arbuckle said, "You get what you pay for..."

 

 

Sometimes you don't. I just called Harley and they couldn't tell me if theirs was made in the USA. He did say that they show'd theirs had been upgraded to take care of some problems they'd been having. They also have a new digital that is a beefier pump. So I'm going to go take a look at both of them. $50 bucks for the analog, and $70 for the digy.... If nothing else At least I'll have someone close by to ***** at if it doesn't hold up.

[Condor]

MAYBE THE GROAN IS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELSE (NO COMMENT ON WHAT THE OTHER CAUSE COULD BE) WHEN YOU TURN ON THE LIGHT IN THE GARAGE IS IT PARKED NEXT TO A FIRST GEN??

 

Dang.... so that's what's been happening ever since I got Seven.....

[XV1100SE]

Mine did this also, I removed the shock and links , cleaned and lubed everything, problem solved.

 

My shock groans in the morning also. The tech at the dealer told me the same thing - needs to be lubed. He also recommended having some air pressure in the shock (I run at 25psi)

[Condor]

Looks like I have another 'project'.....

On the pump, I stopped by the Harley store yesterday and bought their new latest greatest digital suspension pump. My first big mistake was it had 'Made in Taiwan' on the box, My second... I didn't check it out before buying, but figured sense it had a 1 year warantee, why not... So I get it home, insert battery and go check Seven's suspension pressures. Which were were down to zip.. I'll be returning this POS later this morning. It wouldn't even pump...

Now I starting to think. Could I have bad schraeder's, and can they be replaced easily?? 'Specially the forks... or do I have to replace the entire fitting?? Also I wish I knew how this dang no-loss check fitting actually functioned..or where it's located for that matter??

[dacheedah]

I got my harley pump at a harley store, they had a band and sidewalk sale and I got it for like $5.00 off the 50.00 price tag. Works great

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I have had a Progressive pump for 13 years and it still works fine. Its the old style with the short (non-swiveling)hose on it. I dont know for sure, but I suspect the 'no-loss' valve is in the screw-on fitting...

 

I wonder if the valves on your fork tubes are bad?

 

Check the pump by pressurizing the rear shock.

Edited September 28, 2013 by tx2sturgis

[bongobobny]

I use a Progressive as well and works perfect...

[Condor]

I have had a Progressive pump for 13 years and it still works fine. Its the old style with the short (non-swiveling)hose on it. I dont know for sure, but I suspect the 'no-loss' valve is in the screw-on fitting...

 

I wonder if the valves on your fork tubes are bad?

 

Check the pump by pressurizing the rear shock.

 

I went old school and the karma is good again.... The schraeders are good and the seals aren't leaking. Took that high tech digital back to Harley and exchanged it for an analog and a refund for the difference.... Piece of cake. Works perfectly. And it's nice to know that I don't have to rebuild the bike, which is what usually happens. I suspect that the Progressive and the Harley pumps are from the same manufacture, and those that I bought off eBay a few years ago are copies, which happens a lot in China. Even saw a copy of a Star Venture so nothing's sacred in Hong Kong.... Thanks everyone for the moral support.... Now gotta take Seven for a ride to see if there's any improvement in the front diving when coming to a hard stop, and handling like mush....