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Posted by chief
- June 19, 2011, 15:15:01 PMWell, whatever the pressure before, it ain't that pressure now!
You have to use a lossless gage... the mini-pump by Progressive is the one to use... its a pump and gage and it won't spew your oil everywhere...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/blog/?p=590
Here is some info:
- Raise the rear wheel off the ground to adjust pressure and make sure you have the same pressure in each shock.- Use a loss-less pump only - like the one above.
- Max air pressure is 71 PSI. Normal pressures 0 to 43 PSI.
- Bike comes set at Atmospheric pressure intended for 150 lbs.
- Higher the load or the worse the road are, the higher the pressure should be adjusted.
- 43 psi = Heavy Load / Bad Roads
- 0 psi = Light Load / Good Roads
- Shock Pre-set (1=soft ride, 4=stiff ride)
- 1 = Light load, soft ride, good road conditions, low speeds
- 4 = Heavy load, stiff ride, bad road conditions, high speeds.
Personally, I replaced my air shocks with Progressive 440's... overkill now that I ride solo on the Drifter, but at the time needed it for two-up and luggage. Progressive 412's are used by some Drifters as well.
Posted by griz01
- June 18, 2011, 20:45:27 PMKawasaki suggests 43 psi for the HARD Setting, Heavy Loading, or Bad Roads, but I was running 60 psi at setting 4 and still bottoming.
Legal Crap:
You show never exceed the Kawasaki recommedation pressure 
Posted by Snow Drifter
- June 18, 2011, 17:23:23 PMThanks again,
What would be the max air, by chance? 
Posted by griz01
- June 18, 2011, 16:40:00 PMHey SnowD, watch that unfortunately stuff I ride solo and weight 370! I ended up just switching to the progressive 440 Heavy Duty shocks (440-4221B). 500 miles on them set a level 3 out of 4, have not bottomed out yet, on the same roads where the factorys' set on 4 with max air did bottom. Also noticed I do not drag the floorboards as often, put on the stock 13" length but bike seems to be a much firmer ride. I am loving it!! Should have done this a long time ago.
Posted by chief
- June 18, 2011, 15:41:05 PMYou can adjust the suspension... ie move pre-set to 4 and add air to the shocks... beyond that, you will have to look at replacing the rear shocks.
What seat are you using? Do you have all the correct hardware under it?
Have a look at this discussion... for more info...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=7564.0
Posted by Snow Drifter
- June 18, 2011, 15:04:20 PM 
Is there an upgrade to the rear suspension so we don't bottom out on the road as much? Combined weight is 370 (unfortunately).