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Old 08-20-2017, 11:36 AM   #1
Happy65   Happy65 is offline
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Nomad 1600 air shocks

Hi folks,
New owner of an '05 here. We've put about 600 miles on it since buying it last week, it seems like a great bike so far. (my first cruiser!)

Sorry if this has been asked a million times, but the search doesn't seem to be working for me. The previous owner said he preferred to run the bike with no air in the shocks. What's the collective wisdom on that? Do it? How many psi? When my wife is on with me, we're probably pushing close to the GVWR. Lol. I've noticed the shock has bottomed once or twice on big pavement dips at 50-60mph (two-up). But I've never had a bike with air adjustable shocks, and I gather there's some debate on their merits.

Also, if I do pump them up, do I really have to jack up the bike first? Thanks
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Old 08-20-2017, 11:39 AM   #2
alwhite00   alwhite00 is offline
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They don't take much air. 40 or so psi MAX! I run about 30-35 psi, 2-up with full faring and tour pack. Use a zero loss hand pump, not an air compressor.
 
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Old 08-20-2017, 12:19 PM   #3
Happy65   Happy65 is offline
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Thanks. I have the H-D hand pump. Do you know if they can be pumped with the bike on its sidestand?
 
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Old 08-20-2017, 12:31 PM   #4
mbarr10   mbarr10 is offline
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Quote:
Do you know if they can be pumped with the bike on its sidestand
First of all, WELCOME. Have you introduced your self in the new members area?

I would not add air or adjust on the side stand, since you have a Zero loss pump you know how important the balance of the shocks is unless you only have one valve and it equalizes the pressure in both shocks. IMHO Ask your wife to hold the bike since she rides anyway.
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Old 08-20-2017, 12:48 PM   #5
Tortuga   Tortuga is offline
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I park my bike on a wood block that has it almost vertical. We ride double almost all the time and I keep the air at 22-24PSI unless we load the bags and luggage rack. We're 214 and xxx lbs. Total=350ish....there, I didn't say how much she weighed....I'm not that stupid. Seems to work for us, of course the roads here (AZ) are pretty good so we don't often bottom out.

Okay, my work here is done. Now, back to the splitting the atom with a home blender....I think it can be done.



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Old 08-20-2017, 01:30 PM   #6
VulcanE   VulcanE is offline
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If yo have it off the ground, take the shraider valves out, then re-install them (0 psi by the book), and let the bike down, when the weight of the bike is on it, you'll have about 7 psi in the shocks. With it on the side stand the down sid, when set up level will have 2~3 less psi.
I have a shock balance kit on mine, and keep mine at about 28~30 psi (I like a stiffer ride), and just adjust dampers to compensate for varying weight differences. Me by myself I set them on I, with just the wife on I use II, and the rest is by the seat of the pants feeling whether loaded or pulling my trailer and the condition of the road.
BTW, mine's an '05 also.
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Old 08-20-2017, 05:12 PM   #7
Spondulas   Spondulas is offline
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Leave it on the side stand and put a small jack under the frame or a bracket at the back of the bike. Carefully raise the jack just enough to be able to spin the tire. Same process works for the front end, too.

Also useful for putting the tire valve stem in a convenient place without having to roll the bike back and forth.
 
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Old 08-21-2017, 10:44 AM   #8
Happy65   Happy65 is offline
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Thanks for all the useful replies, much appreciated. I'll report back once I've done it, hopefully the ride improves. We bottomed out again yesterday, doing around 45mph. Scared the crap out of my wife. Riding solo it hasn't happened, but I've noticed some wallowing or pogo stick effect. I hope the shocks aren't totally worn out.
 
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