rear shock pressure

borto1990 · 05-13-2009, 04:02 PM

I am checking my rear shocks. for once in my life, I checked the manual and it states raising the rear wheel off the ground.. I never did this step on my 750 vulcan.. any of you follow this advise? or just got for it as it sits?

strobe · 05-13-2009, 04:03 PM

I just do it as it sits. Really you want / need need to adjust them for the ride, and that can be done without getting the tire off the ground IMHO.

dogdoc · 05-13-2009, 04:10 PM

I just check and air up/down as she sits. No need to lift it IMO.

Netnorske · 05-13-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strobe

I just do it as it sits. Really you want / need need to adjust them for the ride, and that can be done without getting the tire off the ground IMHO.

+1

**Cajunrider** · 05-13-2009, 10:02 PM

Same here on airing them up with the back wheel on the ground. I don't have a hand pump. I keep 20 psi in the shocks all the time. I have a small portable compressor that I use to air them up. I allow the compressor to run until there is 21 psig in the tank. I stop it there and then equalize the shocks with the tank. I figure I loose about a pound when I remove the air nozzle from the schrader valve. I do need to pick up a pump to check them on long trips though.

claybuster · 05-13-2009, 10:10 PM

I check them and add pressure with the bike sitting upright in my front wheel chock with both tires on the ground. I have compared pressure with the rear wheel off the ground also and the pressure reading is 3 or 4 psi lighter when the rear tire is off the ground. So what I 'm saying is if you set the pressure to 20 psi with the weight on the ground the pressure reading would be 16 or 17 psi if you lifted the rear wheel off the ground.

**Cajunrider** · 05-13-2009, 10:22 PM

Agreed cb. Lifting the bike until the rear tire clears the ground and airing up to 20 would yield more than 20 psig (gauge) in the same bladder as it compresses. Lifting the bike until the rear wheel clears with the schrader valves removed equalizes the bladders with the 14.7 psi or 1 Bar atmospheric pressure. That would yield 14.7 psia (absolute) over here at sea level. Less at higher elevations. Most of our electronic pressure transmitters in our plant indicate absolute pressure which is actually 14.7 psia at 0 psig. I'd better stop before I confuse myself!

socwkbiker · 06-06-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Agreed cb. Lifting the bike until the rear tire clears the ground and airing up to 20 would yield more than 20 psig (gauge) in the same bladder as it compresses. Lifting the bike until the rear wheel clears with the schrader valves removed equalizes the bladders with the 14.7 psi or 1 Bar atmospheric pressure. That would yield 14.7 psia (absolute) over here at sea level. Less at higher elevations. Most of our electronic pressure transmitters in our plant indicate absolute pressure which is actually 14.7 psia at 0 psig. I'd better stop before I confuse myself!

Well duh!!!

WTF did he just say??? Can you say that in English this time?

mikey911s · 06-06-2009, 08:18 AM

Terrebonne....you just made my head hurt! lol And on my 1st cup of coffee too.

**Cajunrider** · 06-06-2009, 08:38 AM

Sorry, sometimes when I start thinking too hard I give myself a headache. What I tried to convey is that in absolute pressure terms the shocks have 14.7 psia (absolute or sea level atmospheric pressure) when your tire gauge says zero. The shock pressure ratings are psig not psia so I don't know why I brought that up????

05-13-2009, 04:02 PM	#1
borto1990 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: grand rapids, mi Posts: 475	rear shock pressure I am checking my rear shocks. for once in my life, I checked the manual and it states raising the rear wheel off the ground.. I never did this step on my 750 vulcan.. any of you follow this advise? or just got for it as it sits? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-13-2009, 04:03 PM	#2
strobe Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,200	rear shock pressure I just do it as it sits. Really you want / need need to adjust them for the ride, and that can be done without getting the tire off the ground IMHO. __________________ Cory 2013 Honda GL1800 Goldwing 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 (for sale) 2007 Honda ST1300 (sold) 2005 Kawasaki Nomad (sold) 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa (sold) http://www.strobel.ws VBA #01021 VROC #29389
	0

05-13-2009, 04:10 PM	#3
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	rear shock pressure I just check and air up/down as she sits. No need to lift it IMO.
	0

05-13-2009, 10:02 PM	#5
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	rear shock pressure Same here on airing them up with the back wheel on the ground. I don't have a hand pump. I keep 20 psi in the shocks all the time. I have a small portable compressor that I use to air them up. I allow the compressor to run until there is 21 psig in the tank. I stop it there and then equalize the shocks with the tank. I figure I loose about a pound when I remove the air nozzle from the schrader valve. I do need to pick up a pump to check them on long trips though. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-13-2009, 10:10 PM	#6
claybuster Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pasadena, Maryland Posts: 124	rear shock pressure I check them and add pressure with the bike sitting upright in my front wheel chock with both tires on the ground. I have compared pressure with the rear wheel off the ground also and the pressure reading is 3 or 4 psi lighter when the rear tire is off the ground. So what I 'm saying is if you set the pressure to 20 psi with the weight on the ground the pressure reading would be 16 or 17 psi if you lifted the rear wheel off the ground.
	0

05-13-2009, 10:22 PM	#7
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	rear shock pressure Agreed cb. Lifting the bike until the rear tire clears the ground and airing up to 20 would yield more than 20 psig (gauge) in the same bladder as it compresses. Lifting the bike until the rear wheel clears with the schrader valves removed equalizes the bladders with the 14.7 psi or 1 Bar atmospheric pressure. That would yield 14.7 psia (absolute) over here at sea level. Less at higher elevations. Most of our electronic pressure transmitters in our plant indicate absolute pressure which is actually 14.7 psia at 0 psig. I'd better stop before I confuse myself! __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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06-06-2009, 08:18 AM	#9
mikey911s Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 144	rear shock pressure Terrebonne....you just made my head hurt! lol And on my 1st cup of coffee too.
	0

06-06-2009, 08:38 AM	#10
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	rear shock pressure Sorry, sometimes when I start thinking too hard I give myself a headache. What I tried to convey is that in absolute pressure terms the shocks have 14.7 psia (absolute or sea level atmospheric pressure) when your tire gauge says zero. The shock pressure ratings are psig not psia so I don't know why I brought that up???? __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

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