For 2-up riding on our 1600 Classic.. what settings have you found to be good for you on yours? I set the adjusters to 4 but I have not played with the air pressure. Jeff
vulcanism
bluestringer said:
Jeff.....I set mine on 4 also and put 15lbs. in the shocks!! It seems to be riding just like I feel it should! Went on a nice ride this past Sunday around Lake Okeechobee down here in Florida...Just myself on the bike - dropped the pressure to 10lbs. and set the shocks on 2!!!!!!!!!!! Nice smooth ride! Put on a little under 300 miles that day!! It was a PERFECT day for riding......
This is about what I was thinkingCruising said:Jeff.....I set mine on 4 also and put 15lbs. in the shocks!! It seems to be riding just like I feel it should! Went on a nice ride this past Sunday around Lake Okeechobee down here in Florida...Just myself on the bike - dropped the pressure to 10lbs. and set the shocks on 2!!!!!!!!!!! Nice smooth ride! Put on a little under 300 miles that day!! It was a PERFECT day for riding......
With no air in the shocks it's set up for a 150 pound rider. I run 20 in my Meanie, I weigh about 210
Hmm, different opinion.. Cruising is 2-up and using 15lbs and Wayne, you are solo yet running 20lbs..
I just got my 06 Nomad 3 March and haven't done anything to the shocks yet. I went out and got a Progressive Shock pump though. My Fat A$$ weighs 220 so I'm sure I should be adding some air. I have the adjusters set to II. I'm in Northern VA and the roads aren't the smoothest. I feel that I've bottomed out a couple of times. The owners manual says to raise the back tire before adjusting, but is that absolutely necessary? Right now, I don't have the means to lift the bike.
Thanks
Phil
Thanks
Phil
I have never checked the air pressure in my 05 classic 1600. I read the owners manual several times and it says "The standard air pressure for an average-build rider of 150lb. with no passenger and no accessories is autmospheric pressure...Ordinarily, the heavier the total load becomes, the higher the air pressure should be set." OK that makes sence! Then comes the next part To adjust the air pressure: The following notes are written.."Check and adjust the air pressure when the rear shock absorbers are cold{room temperature}"....Again I understand that logic because then you get a true reading......Next; "Raise the rear wheel off the ground by useing a suitable jack"...Thats a no brainer..."Take off the air valve caps on the left and rigght shock absorbers"....No comment here..."Check the air pressure with the air pressure gauge...NOTE Do not use tire gauges for checking air pressure. They may not indicate the correct air pressure because of air leaks that occur when the gauge is applied to the valve." DAAAAA..What the heck are ya supposed to check the pressure with.......I have a good quality tire gage and it works very well giving reliable readings for all my cars and trucks soooo what special gage do I need????????And finally; "To lower the air pressure, push the valve core in slightly." No comment..."Then to raise the pressure, inject air through the valve with a tire pump." WHY?? I understand the shocks have a relativity small area for the air chamber compared to a tire but anyone with half a brain knows to only add air a little at a time and not to turn the regulator on your compressor up to 150lbs pressure........So now the real question...My 1600 has saddle bags on the rear and I go 215lbs. and sometime carry my wife or granddaughters on behind so what do some of you guys recommend for air pressure based on your experience???
I'll chime in with my Nomad experience here...
I'm way north of 150lbs myself, but I rode my Nomad for a year with the rebound set on 2 and didn't add any air at all. Don't recall bottoming out or any other handling issues. I suppose us Nomad riders are a tame bunch and with the floorboards sorta limiting the lean -we never push the handling curve like the Meanies.
Before I took my first long trip (with lotsa gear loaded up, no 2up) I bought a progressive pump and put 20psi in each shock. I didn't jack it up to do this, just put the air in and took off. I did up the rebound to 3, but in truth I don't think this is an issue to fret over. If you notice you're bottoming out, put a bit more air in it.
Just remember to be careful as you can blow the seals. If you must use a standard air compressor make sure to set that regulator safe and low.
I'm way north of 150lbs myself, but I rode my Nomad for a year with the rebound set on 2 and didn't add any air at all. Don't recall bottoming out or any other handling issues. I suppose us Nomad riders are a tame bunch and with the floorboards sorta limiting the lean -we never push the handling curve like the Meanies.
Before I took my first long trip (with lotsa gear loaded up, no 2up) I bought a progressive pump and put 20psi in each shock. I didn't jack it up to do this, just put the air in and took off. I did up the rebound to 3, but in truth I don't think this is an issue to fret over. If you notice you're bottoming out, put a bit more air in it.
Just remember to be careful as you can blow the seals. If you must use a standard air compressor make sure to set that regulator safe and low.
I bought a great pump at the Harley dealer for $29.95. It has a gage that is perfect takes about 4or five pumps max and when you take it off the stem it doesn't allow any leakage. I weigh 175 and my passenger is 225. I put in 35 to 40 lbs and put the shocks on #4. It works good and the pump is small enough to carry with you when you travel. I have noticed that the shocks leak down about 5lbs in a couple of days. Dont know if I have a leaking stem or??
You're supposed to use a "low-loss" air pressure gauge on your rear shocks. NEVER use a regular tire gauge! That little "puff" of air will be the sound of the air escaping from your shocks. Same thing with adding air: use a hand-pump type inflator, NEVER a compressor-driven air hose. The MOM says inflate up to 41 psi for the bike's maximum load. About 70 psi will blow out the seals. Be real careful when messing with your shocks.
Ruark
Ruark
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