I'm I able to take off the rear shocks and put them back on the bike? Or they have to be on the bike when putting air?
Sorry let me rephrase that: I'm I able to take off the shocks and add air then put them back on the bike? Or do they have to be on the bike at all times when adding air?
Be careful putting air in; it takes very little air to set them. I use a hand pump with gauge, it screws on to the air valve, and when you unscrew it it loses no air. Safest way, IMHO. As to airing them off the bike, why would you? Or maybe I missed something?
Regards,
49Reo
49 is right, it takes a special kind of pump called a "No Loss" pump. Mine is sold by Progressive Suspension and looks like this......
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phatperformanceparts.com%2Fphotos%2FGP3-30.jpg&hash=6689b471c2394eec28db5159fd00238014abe125)
There are other makers out there too.
Do not use a regular pump (hand or otherwise) on these shocks. You'll blow them out in a heartbeat, and they ain't cheap! (Plus, you'll NEVER get them balanced!)
To air the shocks up, I jack the bike up so that the rear wheel is off the ground. Then hook up the pump and either let air out or add air to the desired pressure. If memory serves, 42PSI is the max you're supposed to run.
That pump looks just like mine! Funny how that happens. I played the raise the bike up and adjust the air game for the first year, now I just keep 25 psi in them measured with the bike on the ground..can't see any difference.
Hmmm, I was always told to unload them first.
If you are gonna buy one, buy it through our amazon acct so we will get a buck or two commission on the sale...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/blog/?p=817
That pump looks just like mine, only mine says Harley Davidson on it, and probably cost more as a result!! :D
I don't use air shocks, I accidentally blew mine out, so I ordered a set from England custom made to my weight needs, for half the price of progressive shocks, and 1/4of what Kawasaki wants for replacement shocks.
I just turn a knob for the preload of the weight intend to carry..
Ad ride off into the sunset...
45 Bravo
Yea Kawasaki wants an arm for each shock it seems haha but yea I got it all figured out thanks guys looking to invest in that no loss pump...
Let me know if you are looking for some oem air shocks for the drifter. I usually have a set... not sure about right now!
oh yea thatd be great ill let you know thanks!!!
Yeah, thanks bro. I am gonna order a new pump as the one I have has a 300 lb range. Sending it with the Drifter when it sells. I'll pick one up through your link.
You'll probably want the one that reads 0-60. Don't know what the max pressure is on your bike, but the 0-60psi should probably cover it best.
You don't want to use a bicycle pump because that little Pfft of air you hear when you disconnect the pump can change the pressure in the shock quite a bit. You still hear it with a no-loss pump, but it's only air in the pump line, not coming out of the shock.
You might also think about this: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/airshockbalancer.html