Who Dey Posted September 4, 2008 #1 Posted September 4, 2008 My bike is new and i don't know a whole lot about it yet so if this is a dumb question please excuse my ignorance. When you put air in the shocks does it acually raise the bike up or does it just stiffen the shocks to make sure that you don't bottom out in case you were say on a trip and had the bike loaded down with your passenger, clothes etc? Also seems like i read where you are not supposed to use an air compressor but like a bicycle pump or something. I am going to take a trip i think the middle of this month and was just wondering if i need to air up my rear shocks any to compensate for the added weight in the back. Right now mine came from the factory with no air at all in the front or rear shocks. My friends bike came that way also, just something we were wondering about. Also how much air can you put in them. Thanks. Oh yeah....did mention that i love this bike?
gibvel Posted September 4, 2008 #2 Posted September 4, 2008 It does raise the bike some. The height depends on how much you put in it. DO NOT use an air compressor. Especially on the front ones. The fronts take a MAX of 7 psi. The rear you can go up to 57psi Most of us use the progressive hand pump. http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=GP-0-60&affid=4 The 60 psi version should be sufficient. You can sometimes find these Harley branded at Harley shops. BTW this is all in the owners manual on pages 3-18 and 3-19.
Squidley Posted September 4, 2008 #3 Posted September 4, 2008 It does raise the bike some. The height depends on how much you put in it. DO NOT use an air compressor. Especially on the front ones. The fronts take a MAX of 7 psi. The rear you can go up to 57psi Most of us use the progressive hand pump. http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=GP-0-60&affid=4 The 60 psi version should be sufficient. You can sometimes find these Harley branded at Harley shops. BTW this is all in the owners manual on pages 3-18 and 3-19. Mark hit it right on the head
Seaking Posted September 4, 2008 #4 Posted September 4, 2008 Most of us use the progressive hand pump. http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=GP-0-60&affid=4 The 60 psi version should be sufficient. You can sometimes find these Harley branded at Harley shops. However you'll save 70% if you get the non-HD branded pumps.. ; ) But putting at least 45 lbs of pressure in the rear shock alone will stiffen the ride a bit but make the handling noticeably better.. Cheers
gibvel Posted September 4, 2008 #5 Posted September 4, 2008 However you'll save 70% if you get the non-HD branded pumps.. ; ) Not necessarily. Some here have reported finding the pump at about $45 which, I've found, is about as good as you can get them about anywhere on-line.
Newfie Bill Posted September 4, 2008 #6 Posted September 4, 2008 I have found that running 0 psi in front and 45/50 in the rear really helps with the slow speed movements. I got my pump from my HD dealer, it was $49.99.
Orrin Posted September 4, 2008 #7 Posted September 4, 2008 Since I live near a Harley dealer, I order mine opn line for about $33 and stopped in to pick it up. Go to the HD web site and look there. Got good service, too. Con grats on thte new bike. Stay safe!!!
Yammer Dan Posted September 4, 2008 #8 Posted September 4, 2008 Don't know much about a 2nd Gen but if I didn't have air compressor and tank I think I would buy one of those hand pumps a Advance or Wall World for about 14.95 Why not unless you want something you can carry with you.
RedRider Posted September 4, 2008 #9 Posted September 4, 2008 The Progressive pump is a zero let-off pump. This means it will maintain the air pressure in the forks and not leak any when you remove the pump. Since you only put 5 to 7 psi in the front forks, a little leak makes a lot of difference in the pressure. It is small and easy to carry. HD dealers usually have them in stock for about $45. Welcome to the family. RR
jrcain32 Posted September 4, 2008 #10 Posted September 4, 2008 I got the 0-60 Progressive pump about a year ago from local Harley dealer for $39.99, cheaper than direct from Progressive. Only drawback is the Harley logo...
Seaking Posted September 4, 2008 #11 Posted September 4, 2008 I got the 0-60 Progressive pump about a year ago from local Harley dealer for $39.99, cheaper than direct from Progressive. Only drawback is the Harley logo... Just tell people you found it on the side of the road, fell of a Harley.. not too far fetched.. I'm surprised to hear people are finding these pumps so cheaply at their local HD dealerships.. The HD markup policy must be different in our city.. anything you find there with a HD logo is ridiculously marked up.. dunno why people wear or sport the logo.. to show they're rich enough to afford it?! Anyway.. Good pumps, logo or not..
Who Dey Posted September 5, 2008 Author #12 Posted September 5, 2008 Thanks for your input guys, i appreciate it.
Who Dey Posted September 5, 2008 Author #13 Posted September 5, 2008 Can pump like this be used until i get the progressive pump? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5750771
Squidley Posted September 5, 2008 #15 Posted September 5, 2008 OK for the rear shock. I agree, but dont use it on the front.
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