Adjusting shock air pressure

[CycleDude]

Hey gang,
Now that the weather is easing up, I'm getting some ride time with my new-to-me 2011 Vaq. I took my kid out and we scraped a few times which surprised me because I wasn't riding aggressively with her being with me. I started looking around, and turns out the bike has lowering links installed by the p.o.

I don't necessarily care to keep it lowered or not. Flat footing isnt an issue. However, I do want to be able to ride without scraping on every turn. I started flipping through the manual thinking about adjusting the preload/rebound, but I didnt see any recommended air pressure for the shocks. It only said that the R/L sides need to match, which makes total sense.

So how much air pressure do you typically keep in them?

[redjay]

Around 30 PSI worked for me with a passenger, 10-20 PSI when solo.

Use a zero loss air pump. Do not use a gas station air line or you will damage the shock.

[Rookie13]

As redjay said, that's a pretty good range. I will go to 36 fully loaded on long trips with the wife on. A good quality bicycle air pump with a gauge works well- gets a little more accurate when matching both shocks.

[mbarr10]

Originally Posted by redjay

Around 30 PSI worked for me with a passenger, 10-20 PSI when solo.

Use a zero loss air pump. Do not use a gas station air line or you will damage the shock.

!!! ZERO LOSS PUMP !!! can not stress it enough. And do not think you can set your home air compressor to the correct setting. Shocks are way more expensive than a cheap Zero Loss pump. They need to be equal and I know of no other way to make as close as a Zero Loss Pump. 30 Bucks shop around. That and a JIS screw driver are some of the most important tools I own for my Vaquero. OK those and an EXTRA 10mm socket.

On a side note I went with a 30 max Zero loss pump just to get finer adjustment. Looking back maybe I went to far. A 60 would have been more useful in other areas=Multi purpose? But then again not as accurate.
My Zero Loss pump is an EDC for me. I never know what I will haul home somedays. Life sucks as a Pack Rat.

While we are on the subject : Who has the shock Air Graph ??? Please repost. I was searching last week for some time looking for it and could not find the multiple posts that it was up loaded to. Thank You in advance.

[Rookie13]

...and an extra 10mm socket...love it.

[JD Hog]

Here ya go mbarr10

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L1q...ew?usp=sharing

[CycleDude]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I am planning on getting a zero loss pump. Saw a ton on Amazon.

[mbarr10]

Thanks Jim

[spby52]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

!!! ZERO LOSS PUMP !!! can not stress it enough. And do not think you can set your home air compressor to the correct setting. Shocks are way more expensive than a cheap Zero Loss pump. They need to be equal and I know of no other way to make as close as a Zero Loss Pump. 30 Bucks shop around. That and a JIS screw driver are some of the most important tools I own for my Vaquero. OK those and an EXTRA 10mm socket.

On a side note I went with a 30 max Zero loss pump just to get finer adjustment. Looking back maybe I went to far. A 60 would have been more useful in other areas=Multi purpose? But then again not as accurate.
My Zero Loss pump is an EDC for me. I never know what I will haul home somedays. Life sucks as a Pack



While we are on the subject : Who has the shock Air Graph ??? Please repost. I was searching last week for some time looking for it and could not find the multiple posts that it was up loaded to. Thank You in advance.

Can't get my shocks air adjusted unless rear of bike off ground and shocks not compressed...and I use a good zero loss pump....???

[redjay]

I used to adjust the shocks on my Nomad and my Voyager when the bike was not off the ground. If they are not holding air maybe its time to change them for aftermarket ones.

[mbarr10]

Originally Posted by spby52

Can't get my shocks air adjusted unless rear of bike off ground and shocks not compressed...and I use a good zero loss pump....???

Damn, never heard of that. If you fill them off the ground and then lower the bike do they still have pressure?? Maybe not the same as off the ground but still hold pressure? And hold that on the ground PSI, over night at least?

[spby52]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Damn, never heard of that. If you fill them off the ground and then lower the bike do they still have pressure?? Maybe not the same as off the ground but still hold pressure? And hold that on the ground PSI, over night at least?

have checked valves they hold...I can regulate pressure with pump and release and still have air when checked with tire gauge but only if bike in air...if I try to fill with shock compressed ..when removing pump air escapes...Have used another guys pump exact model and same results.... thinking of changing to progressive shocks because I change damping and air when I switch over to towing camping popup....pain in the ars...

[redjay]

Why are you checking the pressure with a tire gauge after you have used the zero loss pump that has a gauge ?

[Monkeyman]

Sounds like you may have a faulty Schrader valve, spby52. I had (2) Nomads ('07 & '14) and currently ride a '21 Can Am RT (with the manual rear suspension). I've NEVER adjusted the air pressure on any of them w/the tire off the ground.

[kpmhspirit]

Originally Posted by redjay

I used to adjust the shocks on my Nomad and my Voyager when the bike was not off the ground. If they are not holding air maybe its time to change them for aftermarket ones.

Yup. Me too. As stated in the service manuals for both. Bottom of page 1. Sorry about the photos but had to reduce size before it would upload.