New here! Vulcan 1500 Classic Adjustable rear shocks

[dragonv]

Hi Everyone! Just Traded in my 2006 ZX10 for an 07 Vulcan. I have been riding sport bikes for the last 5 years or so, decided to join the DARK SIDE!!

Anyways I left the owners maual at the dealer ship, everything is closed because of the long weekend. I needed some information on the adjustable rear shocks. The bike has Twin Shocks, with five-way adjustable preload / 3.4 in. Does anyone know how to adjust them? I feel like the bike is bottoming out!

I know there are air valves on the sides of the shocks, but how do I know what setting they are at now?

Someone please help!
Thanks

[DHACK666]

First off, Welcome to the forum.

As far as the rear shocks, you are right. They are bottoming out. They are set from the factory at atmospheric pressure. You need to get the rear tire off the ground. depending on your weight and if you will be running with a passenger, the pressure will very. 40 lbs will be a good starting point.

Do not use the air fill at a gas station and don't use a pressure guage to check them after. The volume is so small you will loose some.
There are different ways to fill them, some cost money but I use a home air compressor with a good regulator. Set it to the pressure you desire and with the rear tire off the ground hold it on until you do not here the air flowing. Remove it quick and cap it.

Once you have the air setup. You can adjust the dampening as need for type of load.

[dragonv]

First off, Welcome to the forum.

As far as the rear shocks, you are right. They are bottoming out. They are set from the factory at atmospheric pressure. You need to get the rear tire off the ground. depending on your weight and if you will be running with a passenger, the pressure will very. 40 lbs will be a good starting point.

Do not use the air fill at a gas station and don't use a pressure guage to check them after. The volume is so small you will loose some.
There are different ways to fill them, some cost money but I use a home air compressor with a good regulator. Set it to the pressure you desire and with the rear tire off the ground hold it on until you do not here the air flowing. Remove it quick and cap it.

Once you have the air setup. You can adjust the dampening as need for type of load.

Thanks for your help! I know you said I need to take the back tire off the ground, is it posible to put air in the shocks with the tire down? I dont have a jack! and also how do I adjust the dampening. I dont see switches or anything around the shocks.

[DHACK666]

On my 2005 I have numbers stamped in the top 1-4
1 = most rebound
4 = lease rebound (Stiffer ride) For passengers or rough roads.

I keep mine at 45 lbs and Number 2. Everyone is different.

I would just cruise over to the dealer and ask him if he would do it for you.
He may not charge you. I feel they should put at lease 25 lbs when they assemble and inspect it but they don't. If it's bottoming out hard you may damage the rubber boots. My Friend had to replace his within the first week. The dealer covered him but I don't think he had to.

[E-J]

Welcome!
Don't forget when adding air yourself to have a zero loss pump and maybe a system that balances the air in both shocks. I forget what it is called but mine is from Progressive Suspension. I learned about it thanks to gadget.

NEVER USE A GAS STATION PUMP

[Got2Go]

Welcome to the forum!

You don't have to lift the weight off the shocks to make adjustments to the air pressure.
Just make sure you never go above the specified MAX PSI.
The pressure will be different if you have weight on the shocks, or not.
But just adjust, test ride, adjust a little more, ride some more.
When you're happy, write down your PSI, and add a little more pressure when you ride 2-up, or with more weight.

And, go to your local Harley dealer and purchase their air shock pump.
Its exactly what you need, at about $39.
zero loss, small range gauge, low volume pump for shocks.


Here is some reading material for you:
FAQ's

Lots of good info on that site to help you out with the never ending mod-fest that will surely follow...

[Sunnydude]

I have mine at 10 psi and 1 by myself and go up to 15 and 2 with my wife on board. Bought a shock pump at HD dealer and small enough to carry with me if needed.

Congrats on the new bike.

[ndpat]

I weigh 185 and I run mine at 25 psi. When I'm by myself I put the shocks on 2; if my wife is riding with I click them to 3.

[dragonv]

Thanks to everyone for your help! I will be going to the dealer this morning,and on my way back, will pop by HD shop for that pump.

[bluestringer]

I run 25psi, rebound on 3, riding 2up. Both of us together go about 350. I set the rebound to 2 when solo. Yes, you can air them up while on the kickstand, but put a 2x4 block under the stand and turn the front wheel to the right. That helps equal the weight on both sides. Be sure not to go over the max air pressure, which is 43psi.

[oakley71]

I am a new rider. I have an 05 Vulcan 1500 Classic. I know that shock adjustment is personal preferance, but can someone offer guidelines? I am 6'1" 230lbs. Currently I have 30lbs psi and the settings are on #4. The rider that owned it previously had it set this way. I see most of you guys are on #1 or #2. Am I set to high? Anyone out there my size with thoughts?

[Classic]

Just so you know, this thread is just over four years old.

Anyway, my 1500 Classic was old enough that it didn't have air shocks, just pre-load adjustable and I kept them near the max. After I bought Progressive brand non-air shocks I kept them set for the best ride depending on how much weight the bike was carrying. If I was one-up it was #3 and if 2-up it was #5. You'll probably end up doing the same thing just watch the air pressure according to the owners manual as it's easy to over pressurize. Maybe less air and more spring pre-load, only time will tell.