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08-20-2017, 11:36 AM | #1 |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Canada (near Port Dover)
Posts: 3
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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 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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08-20-2017, 11:39 AM | #2 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 539
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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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08-20-2017, 12:19 PM | #3 |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Canada (near Port Dover)
Posts: 3
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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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08-20-2017, 12:31 PM | #4 | |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 1,562
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Quote:
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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Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles |
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08-20-2017, 12:48 PM | #5 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sahuarita, AZ
Posts: 557
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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. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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08-20-2017, 01:30 PM | #6 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cartersville, Georgia
Posts: 4,838
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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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Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381 |
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08-20-2017, 05:12 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Dickson, Tennessee
Posts: 110
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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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08-21-2017, 10:44 AM | #8 |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Canada (near Port Dover)
Posts: 3
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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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