Air Shocks

[clisk]

Hi Guys, I just bought a pair of used air shocks from a guy who had no manual and no info on them. There 's no make or manufacturer on them either. Any idea how much air should be in these things? I realize it will vary depending on the load but on average, if any of you have some as well, what pressure would you have in them? Thanks.

[wa407mpp]

I have air both front and back on my bike. It's a full dresser minus a trunk and I weigh in at about 230lbs give or take, and I've found 12lbs. in the front and 17lbs in the back works for me. In general it depends on how much weight you have on your bike at any given time, or how you want to ride. With air on both ends I can air up for performance or weight and down for comfort. If you install them plumb them together with a gauge or it will drive you crazy trying to get their pressures the same, and when you fill them, air them up and then bleed them down to the pressure you want. It's easier that way.

[wa407mpp]

If you go to Ross's comfy seat post you will see a pic. of my bike with the air gauge and filler valve peeking out from between the seat and the saddlebag.

[Scott Underwood]

It's been a couple of decades now, but I think I was running around 8 lbs in my S&W air shocks. Possibly a little more, but not much.

By the way, purchase a small hand air pump. You'll realize why the first time that you pump up the shocks from an air compressor.

[clisk]

Thanks for the input guys I appreciate it. I have about 8lbs in there now and it seems good. When I ride two up then i may need a bit more. I hear ya on the small hand pump! It doesn't take much to fill these things. I found that the stock shocks weren't makin' it anymore when I had extra weight on the bike. I hope these will help that issue. Thanks again, Cameron

[clisk]

Hey Fastmover! I see the pic. Nice bike! I like what I can see! My valve is right on the actual shock itself. I wish could put a gauge on there and then I could see the pressure that's in there at all times. Is there such a thing that I can purchase to screw on to the filler valve to do that? I guess if I look around I may find one. Thanks.

[wa407mpp]

My shocks use the same air tube fittings and hoses as the shocks for cars, they screw on where the valve caps do, yours are probably the same. Then you tee them together with a guage and your good to go. You should check at an auto parts store.

[clisk]

Thanks, mine are connected by an equalizer hose so they maintain the same pressure but the hose goes into each shock via another fitting. There is only one filler valve on one of the shocks that you put the air hose onto to fill both shocks. I'll check at an autoparts store for a screw on pressure gauge that i can leave on to view the pressure. Thanks, Cameron

[wa407mpp]

Put a tee with compression fittings in the line between the shocks then run a line to the gauge mounted to a bracket some ware handy. or if you have bags mount it like mine by the air fitting, so you can see the gauge while your setting the pressure, remember to leak test them with soap bubbles. And don't worry if you loose a little air they will probably loose some pressure over time.

[clisk]

That's a good idea thanks. I'll do that. I appreciate the advice. Thanks again, safe riding! Cameron