dogman Posted July 22, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 22, 2012 Hello all. Bad timing for me with most people already left for the International. I was trying to check my rear shock pressure before leaving tomorrow to International and towing my tent trailer. I just bought a hand bicycle pump to add pressure. When I went to take psi I couldn't get a seal and lots of air came out. I tried putting air in with the hand pump and it wasn't going in, I played with the pump and think I broke it. I can not now get any pressure psi reading with the two tire gauges I have. Any suggestions of what to do, or what I broke without realizing? I don't think I will be able to tow the trailer now if the pressure is gone. Any and all advice and criticism is welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etcswjoe Posted July 22, 2012 Share #2 Posted July 22, 2012 (edited) Can you tell if the valve stem core on the shock is ok? See if the center is pushed in if it is its probably broke and you should be able to put a new one in. If all that is broke is your hand pump you can run with no air just be a harder ride till you get a new one. If you have an air compressor you can turn the regulator all the way down to 20 or 30 pounds and fill it that way also. http://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Tank_Air_Valve015-DFs.jpg Edited July 22, 2012 by etcswjoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogman Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted July 22, 2012 Thank you I will take a look for that pin/valve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted July 22, 2012 Share #4 Posted July 22, 2012 It is pretty much the same as the valve stem in a car or bicycle tire. Very easy to replace if that is the problem. Should take about 5 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Haywood Posted July 22, 2012 Share #5 Posted July 22, 2012 bicycle pump may not work. If I remember correctly it will not hold the air in and it comes back out as fast as you put it in. You can use a gas station air hose but only put it in for a second at a time and then check it till you get it close to what you want and then leave it alone.(DO NOT USE ON Front forks) You may take a ride to the local pubs where the bikers hang and see if any of the guys riding the Electra glides have a zero loss hand pump or if there are any bicycle shops or maybe Walmarts you might find a zero loss pump. Bicycle shops will have one. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted July 23, 2012 Share #6 Posted July 23, 2012 Don't use gas station hose if their pressure is greater than 57 psi. You'll most likely blow the seals!!The volume of air that is needed is too small to try to get the correct amount in without blowing the seals. Unless you can turn the regulator down to low pressure and gradually build up, I wouldn't even try. A rear shock is over 400 bucks!!! Best to wait until you can find a riding buddy with a zero loss pump and be confident you're not going to blow the seals!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted July 23, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 23, 2012 Hand pump that you will almost always find at a Harley Dealer. Going to cost less than 100 bucks but then you can check it and change it anytime you want. Brad http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Hand-Air-Pump-Harley-Davidson-/370576050614?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56480dc9b6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted July 23, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 23, 2012 That's the exact one that I have. Great little pump and well worth the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmelah Posted July 23, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 23, 2012 what about one of those 12 v plug in air pumps will that work for the shock it takes 30 min to air up 35 psi car tire ??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted July 23, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 23, 2012 what about one of those 12 v plug in air pumps will that work for the shock it takes 30 min to air up 35 psi car tire ??????? Blow the fuse, too much air and you loose air taking the hose off. Hand pump does not loose air and there is soo little amount of air the hand pump is all that is needed. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmelah Posted July 23, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 23, 2012 Blow the fuse, too much air and you loose air taking the hose off. Hand pump does not loose air and there is soo little amount of air the hand pump is all that is needed. Brad thanks Brad you just saved from making a 400.00 mistake in the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scarylarry Posted July 23, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 23, 2012 Buy a MC hand pump, anything outside of that is a gamble on blowing a seal.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthandy Posted July 23, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) For what it's worth at this late date, I picked up the Harley pump for $56.00 at the local Harley dealer in Niagara on the Lake - Clare's Harley Davidson Niagara - http://www.claresharleydavidson.com/custompage.asp?pg=map. They are open 8 - 6 on Monday's and they are just off the Q.E.W. so it's right on your way if you take the Q.E.W. all the way in from Toronto. Of course, there's no guaranty they'll have one in stock, but you can call first. Failing that, let me know when you are coming through and I can meet you and we can use mine to pump you up for the rest of the trip. Just take it easy on the bumps and you should be OK even with the trailer. PM me if you want more info. I'll be checking my email and this site till I hit the sack around eleven and I'll check again in the a.m. Andy Edited July 23, 2012 by darthandy added info... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted July 23, 2012 Share #14 Posted July 23, 2012 If you have access to a small (home) compressor with a regulator, set the regulator pressure to the PSI you want in the shock. Then just put in air until it stops, and the pressure will be set. This should get you on the road in an emergency. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD FOR THE FRONT FORKS!!! It takes very little volume and very low pressure for the front shocks (fork tubes). Use a zero loss hand pump for the front, and this is actually the preferred way for the rear also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted July 23, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 23, 2012 thanks Brad you just saved from making a 400.00 mistake in the future And a 800 dollar shock. Not worth the price of the hand pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bongobobny Posted July 23, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 23, 2012 Yup! The actual volume of air needed is very small, if you give it too much volume of air the PSI will build up waaaay to rapidly and you will blow out the diaphragm in no time rendering the air shock worthless for anything but a boat anchor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogman Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #17 Posted July 23, 2012 Thank you for all your help. Relic was able to help me out and get the air back in and up to spec. for towing the trailer. I will look at buying one of those hand pumps. With any luck they may have them at Pioneer when I get there tomorrow evening. Thanks again for everyones help. Saddlebum even called me at 11pm saying he would come over to help. This is a great site that attracts great people riding great bikes. See you at the International tomorrow night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthandy Posted July 23, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 23, 2012 Glad to hear you got it fixed. Enjoy the ride and the fun. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bongobobny Posted July 23, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 23, 2012 We'll leave the lights on for you Dave!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRider Posted July 23, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 23, 2012 Believe it or not, it is just as inexpensive buying the pump from an HD dealer as on the web. I believe I paid $45 or $50 for one a few years back. RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Haywood Posted July 23, 2012 Share #21 Posted July 23, 2012 bicycle shops have the same pump for $40 and I bought mine from Yamaha for $38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerguy36 Posted July 23, 2012 Share #22 Posted July 23, 2012 I use a pump kit from Canadian Tire. It's a cordless unit that mounts to the wall, and comes with 2 units. 1 for tires, the other for air matresses etc. It goes slow so it works great for our application, and when we go on a trip, it includes a battery with a cig lighter cord on it. (my shock leaks down over time) Been using it for 3 yrs now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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