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techtalk:ref:tools137 [2023/11/04 01:48]
– [Spring Adjusting Cam Spanner] hippysmack |
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techtalk:ref:tools137 [2024/01/24 04:01] (current)
– hippysmack |
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| {{:techtalk:ref:tools:98_1200s_shocks_pic_1_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}} {{:techtalk:ref:tools:98_1200s_shocks_pic_2_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&300|}} \\ |
| ====== Road King Shocks ====== |
The shocks are a really simple design. ((Gcram399 of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/110656-rk-air-shock-hydraulic-fluid-change/page3?t=1038905&page=3)) \\ |
| Think of it as nothing but a strut assembly like the ones used on cars but with internal springs and a separate air/fluid chamber. \\ |
| The main shaft is hollow and that is where damper is located. \\ |
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| Too little oil and the dampers may not be filled with oil which reduces the dampening action. \\ |
| Too much oil you create a hydro-lock situation where there's too little room for the shaft to compress into the shock. \\ |
Too much oil can also cause hydro-lock and possibly blow the shock apart. ((XLXR of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/145177-sg-shocks-on-the-way/page2?t=1575636&page=2)) \\ |
| This can be very dangerous if oil gets under the rear tire while trying to brake or turn. \\ |
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The springs and air pressure only support the weight of the bike and rider. ((Gcram399 of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/110656-rk-air-shock-hydraulic-fluid-change/page3?t=1038905&page=3)) \\ |
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| One other internal item is the rubber bottom stops. On older shocks they have a tendency to turn to mush. \\ |
| When this happens, the loose gooey material can work it's way into the damper holes plugging them up and restricts the flow. \\ |
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You can also weigh the shocks to see how much oil is in them to start with. ((XLXR of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/145177-sg-shocks-on-the-way/page2?t=1575636&page=2)) \\ |
| However, that may or may not be correct if some has leaked out. \\ |
| There is no exact spec from Harley on how much oil to add. \\ |
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| Leave the air fitting open and bottom out the shock to push out all the excessive fluid to ensure the shock does actually bottom out. \\ |
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The shiny lower shaft that you attach to your swingarm is actually the damper housing. ((Gcram399 of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/110656-rk-air-shock-hydraulic-fluid-change/page4?t=1038905&page=4)) \\ |
| It's hollow with 4 (approx 1/8" diameter) holes about a 1/2" down from the top that allow the oil to fill and expell from the damper. \\ |
| Inside the housing is the dampening piston/actuator that's attached to the damper shaft. \\ |
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| If you take your time and do the compress, hold, slow release for about 20 strokes you should be able to drain at least 95% of the old oil out of the shock.\\ |
| The only way to get it all out is to remove the top mount. That in itself is a totally different process. \\ |
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| ===== Road King Shock Oil Replacement ===== |
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| * If your using Road King shocks, here is a way to change the oil in them. |
* Removing oil: Install the valve stems with the valve cores removed. Connect a piece of vacuum hose between the valve stem and a partially collapsed plastic bottle. Install only one shock upside down. Sit on the bike to force the oil out. Raise the bike to draw air in. ((tchuck of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-styles/sport-glide-sportster-motorcycle-touring/55084-rk-shock-oil?t=269898)) |
* Installing oil: Add the proper amount of fork oil in your weight of choice to the partially collapsed plastic bottle. Install only one shock right side up. Sit on the bike to force air out. Raise the bike to draw oil in. ((tchuck of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-styles/sport-glide-sportster-motorcycle-touring/55084-rk-shock-oil?t=269898)) |
* **Caution** You need to turn them upside down and then back right side up a few times to get the oil to drain from the inner chambers. Do not over fill them, they could blow apart. Put on one shock at a time and make it bottom out and force out all excessive oil, that is still too much because the inner air chamber will still be too small. The only way to tell how much oil is in them is by weighing them. There are several different years and models of shocks and no one knows all the specific differences. ((XLXR of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-styles/sport-glide-sportster-motorcycle-touring/55084-rk-shock-oil?t=269898)) |
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| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:road_king_shock_oil_replacement_1_by_tchuck.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:tools:road_king_shock_oil_replacement_2_by_tchuck.jpg?direct&300|}}| |
| Removing RK shock oil ((photo by tchuck of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-styles/sport-glide-sportster-motorcycle-touring/55084-rk-shock-oil?t=269898)) | Installing RK shock oil ((photo by tchuck of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-styles/sport-glide-sportster-motorcycle-touring/55084-rk-shock-oil?t=269898)) | |
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| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:rear_shock_spring_compressor_by_xlxr.jpg?direct&300|}}| |
|Homemade spring compressor ((photo by XLXR of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/56016-whittlebeast-hybrid-shock-testimony?t=280926))| |
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| ===== Another Method ===== |
Article and pics by LuxBlue of the XLFORUM ((httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/110656-rk-air-shock-hydraulic-fluid-change?t=1038905)) \\ |
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| Parts: \\ |
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| * 1/2" X 2 1/2" bolts and nuts. |
| * 1/2" washers. |
* 2 shelf straps to act as levers. \\ Any flat metal that is strong enough to overcome the pressure needed to compress the shock will be fine. \\ You'll just have to drill it for the bolts. ((Gcram399 of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/110656-rk-air-shock-hydraulic-fluid-change/page8?t=1038905&page=8)) |
| * A piece of 3/4" plywood. |
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| ===== Using a MixMizer ===== |
Article and pics by joesporty of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/110656-rk-air-shock-hydraulic-fluid-change/page3?t=1038905&page=3)) \\ |
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| This compression tool is made similar to the one above. \\ |
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| Draw two more ounces of oil into the syringe and repeat until you've added 10 oz. \\ |
| Slowly cycle each shock after the oil is in to work it into the damper and help work out any air. \\ |
Another reason to do this is to ensure that 10oz wasn't too much and that it wasn't going to come shooting back out of the shock. \\ ((photos by Otter of the XLFORUM httphttps://www.xlforum.net/forumsforum/showthread.phpsportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-suspension-frame-forks-handlebars-fuel-tank-oil-tank-fenders/145177-sg-shocks-on-the-way/page2?t=1575636&page=2)) \\ |
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| |{{:techtalk:ref:tools:rk_shock_fluid_change_1_by_otter.jpg?direct&150|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:tools:rk_shock_fluid_change_2_by_otter.jpg?direct&185|}}| |
