Rear Shock Air Pressure

bernsax · 05-21-2010, 03:00 PM

I have a 2004 Nomad 1500 and have never adjusted the shock air pressure. The manual says not to check it with a tire gauge because it may not indicate the correct air pressure due to air leaks that occur when the gauge is applied to the valve. What other type of gauge is there?

I weigh about 200 lbs and usually have the rebound damping force set in the 2 position. When riding double I set it a the 4 position.

How much air pressure do some of you keep in your shocks? When riding single?
When riding double?
Also, what kind of testing gauge do you use?

cactusjack · 05-21-2010, 03:22 PM

I keep about 30 in mine, and the rebound set at III. I ride solo all the time.

You need a Progressive zero-loss pump. They connect/disconnect to the Schrader valve without losing air. The air bladders in those shocks are very small, and it doesn't take much air loss to reflect a large change in pressure. Without one, they are almost impossible to balance.

Never, ever, use a compressor to inflate them. They are not only small, they are fragile.

**ringadingh** · 05-21-2010, 03:30 PM

You should check them a couple times a season as well, Sometimes they leak down a bit over time.

landman · 05-21-2010, 09:04 PM

20 pounds on number 111 rebound setting.

AlabamaNomadRider · 05-21-2010, 09:28 PM

You need a zero loss pump. I had about 30 pounds in mine the last time I checked. It is time to check them again as they do leak down over time.

jay02904 · 05-21-2010, 09:36 PM

hello...any thoughts on this: my 08 nomad had a "leaky shock" fluid/oil my first week the dealer replaced it and i thought all was good until the other day when i added air with a H-D zero loss pump i picked up. i set it to 20psi but when i took the pump off the shock that was replaced leaked out all the air immediately and the original shock held the air pressure. the dealer said they will replace it (my warranty ends in 3 weeks!) i have 5500 miles and this is the first time i attempted to put air in the shocks (i am 5'10 200 and my wife and i are going to americade) should i replace both shocks? should i run them without air? thanks for the thoughts :)

skeeter · 05-21-2010, 11:28 PM

until you have the one fixed, let the air out of the operable shock. the imbalance might be nasty on a bump or a fast curve.

redjay · 05-22-2010, 04:24 AM

Did you check to see if the Schrader valve is tight in the shock ? Both valves were loose in my tires at the start of the season. As soon as I took the valve cap off I could here them leaking.
I run 30 lbs in my shocks and #1 if I am solo, #4 if I have a passenger.

pastorgumby · 05-22-2010, 10:14 AM

It would be more helpful if everyone included their weight with your settings.

jd01 · 05-22-2010, 10:46 AM

I weigh 240 and run 20 lbs in the shocks and damper on No.2. I ride solo most of the time.

bernsax · 05-22-2010, 12:15 PM

The manual says to lift the back wheel with a jack before adding air. Is this necessary?

macmac · 05-22-2010, 05:20 PM

!50 ish can be 145, My wife mimics me. Rough NH roads setting II 15 psi. 20 psi and III if pulling a trailer.

COLD The air must be set COLD, other wise you will blow oil out.

It is very possible to install several brands kits to fill BOTH shocks as one and install a air gauges with choices.. I run a 0 to 30 psi gauge, and fill air in one place only.

**krash** · 05-22-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorGumby

It would be more helpful if everyone included their weight with your settings.

180 lbs and I like it at 15psi and the II setting.

(Mac if you read this I'm 6 foot 10 at 260 lbs of lean mean beer drinkin bear wrastlin fightin machine

)

macmac · 05-22-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krash

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorGumby

It would be more helpful if everyone included their weight with your settings.

180 lbs and I like it at 15psi and the II setting.

(Mac if you read this I'm 6 foot 10 at 260 lbs of lean mean beer drinkin bear wrastlin fightin machine

)

Just my type :-*

I can run like the Devil himself too

I look like the guy on the far left btw, because that's me.

Ya can't get whatcha can't catch, and I wiggle good.

**krash** · 05-22-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krash

180 lbs and I like it at 15psi and the II setting.

(Mac if you read this I'm 6 foot 10 at 260 lbs of lean mean beer drinkin bear wrastlin fightin machine

)

Just my type :-*

I can run like the Devil himself too

I look like the guy on the far left btw, because that's me.

Ya can't get whatcha can't catch, and I wiggle good.

GULP,

oh sh*t, Hey did I mention I got a fridge full of beer if ya ever stop by..... you know like a peace offering

05-21-2010, 03:22 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Rear Shock Air Pressure I keep about 30 in mine, and the rebound set at III. I ride solo all the time. You need a Progressive zero-loss pump. They connect/disconnect to the Schrader valve without losing air. The air bladders in those shocks are very small, and it doesn't take much air loss to reflect a large change in pressure. Without one, they are almost impossible to balance. Never, ever, use a compressor to inflate them. They are not only small, they are fragile. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

05-21-2010, 03:30 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Rear Shock Air Pressure You should check them a couple times a season as well, Sometimes they leak down a bit over time. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

05-21-2010, 09:28 PM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Rear Shock Air Pressure You need a zero loss pump. I had about 30 pounds in mine the last time I checked. It is time to check them again as they do leak down over time. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-21-2010, 09:36 PM	#6
jay02904 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 133	Rear Shock Air Pressure hello...any thoughts on this: my 08 nomad had a "leaky shock" fluid/oil my first week the dealer replaced it and i thought all was good until the other day when i added air with a H-D zero loss pump i picked up. i set it to 20psi but when i took the pump off the shock that was replaced leaked out all the air immediately and the original shock held the air pressure. the dealer said they will replace it (my warranty ends in 3 weeks!) i have 5500 miles and this is the first time i attempted to put air in the shocks (i am 5'10 200 and my wife and i are going to americade) should i replace both shocks? should i run them without air? thanks for the thoughts :) __________________ ~Jay 2008 Nomad 1600 Blue/Gray
	0

05-21-2010, 11:28 PM	#7
skeeter Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kerrville Tx Posts: 1,713	Rear Shock Air Pressure until you have the one fixed, let the air out of the operable shock. the imbalance might be nasty on a bump or a fast curve. __________________ Robert(skeeter)Dozier 07 Red&Titanium Nomad 81 Suzuki 850GL KawaNow pre#
	0

05-21-2010, 03:00 PM	#1
bernsax Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Albia, Iowa Posts: 51	Rear Shock Air Pressure I have a 2004 Nomad 1500 and have never adjusted the shock air pressure. The manual says not to check it with a tire gauge because it may not indicate the correct air pressure due to air leaks that occur when the gauge is applied to the valve. What other type of gauge is there? I weigh about 200 lbs and usually have the rebound damping force set in the 2 position. When riding double I set it a the 4 position. How much air pressure do some of you keep in your shocks? When riding single? When riding double? Also, what kind of testing gauge do you use? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-21-2010, 09:04 PM	#4
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	Rear Shock Air Pressure 20 pounds on number 111 rebound setting. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
	0

05-22-2010, 04:24 AM	#8
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,929	Rear Shock Air Pressure Did you check to see if the Schrader valve is tight in the shock ? Both valves were loose in my tires at the start of the season. As soon as I took the valve cap off I could here them leaking. I run 30 lbs in my shocks and #1 if I am solo, #4 if I have a passenger.
	0

05-22-2010, 10:14 AM	#9
pastorgumby Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Spring Lake, NJ Posts: 249	Rear Shock Air Pressure It would be more helpful if everyone included their weight with your settings. __________________ "Life is a journey, not a guilt trip!" 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600 2002 Honda VFR800 Interceptor
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05-22-2010, 10:46 AM	#10
jd01 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canton,Georgia Posts: 851	Rear Shock Air Pressure I weigh 240 and run 20 lbs in the shocks and damper on No.2. I ride solo most of the time. __________________ Don Denman "JD" 2001 Luminous Vintage Red carbed 1500 Nomad VBA #376 VROC #6195
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05-22-2010, 12:15 PM	#11
bernsax Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Albia, Iowa Posts: 51	Rear Shock Air Pressure The manual says to lift the back wheel with a jack before adding air. Is this necessary?
	0

05-22-2010, 05:20 PM	#12
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Rear Shock Air Pressure !50 ish can be 145, My wife mimics me. Rough NH roads setting II 15 psi. 20 psi and III if pulling a trailer. COLD The air must be set COLD, other wise you will blow oil out. It is very possible to install several brands kits to fill BOTH shocks as one and install a air gauges with choices.. I run a 0 to 30 psi gauge, and fill air in one place only. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

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