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FLHT rear shocks

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by rob71373, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. rob71373

    rob71373 New Member

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    I am new here, but I am trying to find out what the recomended air pressure is for the rear shocks on an 01 flht. With combined weight being 520 lbs. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
    rob71373, Dec 29, 2012
    #1
  3. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Read your owners manual or get one if you do not have one. I'm 6'1 and 220 so I set mine at around 15 to 20 PSI. Gotta be carful if you put to much weight on the bike you can blow the seals on the shocks.
    FLHTbiker, Dec 29, 2012
    #2
  4. rob71373

    rob71373 New Member

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    Thanks for the info. I need to get a shop manual as well as a pump. I've borrowed a friend of mines a couple of times. So both will be useful items.
    rob71373, Dec 29, 2012
    #3
  5. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    rob welcome to bike talk I ran 15-20 in my 03 E glide two up & packed down (wifes stuff LOL)
    cowboy, Dec 29, 2012
    #4
  6. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    '03 Service Manual

    Solo 150-200lb rider...0-10PSI
    Solo 200-250lb rider...5-15PSI
    Avg rider with 150 passenger...10-15PSI
    Avg rider with up to 200lb passenger...20-25PSI
    Maximum GVWR(1259lb)...20-35PSI
    Lucifer, Dec 30, 2012
    #5
  7. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    And that GVWR includes the weight of the bike.
    FLHTbiker, Dec 30, 2012
    #6
  8. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    And I got a couple of buddies come pretty close to exceeding that just by sitting their big fat asses on the bike:roflmao:
    Lucifer, Dec 30, 2012
    #7
  9. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I got a friend who did and had to put custom air shocks on his Goldwing. :eek:
    FLHTbiker, Dec 30, 2012
    #8
  10. Studds

    Studds Active Member

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    I gave up on the stock shocks and installed the Progressive Shocks***SWEET***I'll never go back to air shocks!
    Studds, Feb 27, 2013
    #9
  11. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Been thinking of doing the same
    FLHTbiker, Feb 27, 2013
    #10
  12. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Did that for a friend he went back to air shocks, smoother ride
    PM are a bit stiffer, had them on my heritage because they
    reduced the softail squat when you hammered the big inch WFO...

    BTW there is a year where PSI changes, my 09 and up can take a lot more
    air than the older ones... I think up to 40 PSI
    hotroadking, Feb 27, 2013
    #11
  13. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    I did this, too, and really like them.

    As to the original question, my FLHR says what pressures to run inside the stock hard bags (right bag). Its a factory sticker, so maybe you've got one too?

    :cheers:
    Red Rider, Feb 27, 2013
    #12
  14. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Yea my 09 I could put up to 40 PSI in the shocks. Thinking of doing the Progressive shocks on my Heritage Springer Softail.
    FLHTbiker, Feb 27, 2013
    #13
  15. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    What year is the springer?? a buddy has a 2000 heritage and there's a night and day difference in the stock shocks on his 2000 and my '90 softail,newer ones are way better....I put 1" lower Progressives on my softail,I might as well have just welded the swing arm to the frame:rolleyes:Progressives are stiffer,but stay stock length,not a lot of travel in the softail shocks...

    I'm going to try out the Progressive 412HD's on the king this summer,I have the older style Low Profile HD's on now and have to keep them above 30lbs for a decent ride, I'm pretty sure the newer Low Profile shocks can be pumped up to 50lbs..
    Lucifer, Feb 28, 2013
    #14
  16. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    My Springer is a 2001 Heritage Classic. The shocks on it are stock and original :rolleyes: I know they should have been changed out a long time ago. I have them adjusted out as far as they will go because I was dragging so bad even in a simple corner. I'll bet even putting a set of new stock shocks on it would improve it greatly.
    FLHTbiker, Feb 28, 2013
    #15
  17. charlie46

    charlie46 Well-Known Member

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    My 09 FLHX will take up to 50PSI. Need 45PSI with Passenger or I'll bottom. !.5 less inches of travel on a Strt.Gld. 'Course I go about 260.
    charlie46, Feb 28, 2013
    #16
  18. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    Heh,like everything else....things get soft and sag over time and mileage. lol

    Progressive and Works are good replacements...

    I see works has an air shock for Softails...

    http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/instructions/HD%20Stealth%20Air%2000%20Inst.pdf
    Lucifer, Feb 28, 2013
    #17
  19. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    I run 30-35 lbs in my 11
    cardboard, Feb 28, 2013
    #18
  20. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I know of a few people like that :rolleyes:
    FLHTbiker, Feb 28, 2013
    #19

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