Air vs Springs For Harley Harley Shocks & Harley Chassis Issues Discuss Air vs Springs For Harley in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Perhaps I am too old fashioned, but I recently gave up on the air suspension on my Harley Ultra and swapped it for old fashioned springs and damping. Am I ...

[Buzz Kanter]

Perhaps I am too old fashioned, but I recently gave up on the air suspension on my Harley Ultra and swapped it for old fashioned springs and damping.

Am I the only one here going backwards on this suspension technology?

[tommyglide]

What did you not like about the air suspension and what did you use in it's place?

[hotrodsporty]

I just recently got an FLHR with rear air, my first try with air, and I love the ride, lots smoother, and My kidneys feel much better.

[Buzz Kanter]

Originally Posted by tommyglide

What did you not like about the air suspension and what did you use in it's place?

The air would leak out of the stock suspension in a matter of days (or less) leaving a very harsh ride. I was tired of having to pump it back up every week.

[milindh]

It's a great idea that depended on high quality air shocks or bladders. When I think of Harley shocks I don't think "high quality". Progressives might be up to the job. I don't know.

My Dad, an retired truck mechanic, had a Buick Park Avenue that had the same problems. In that case it was the plastic air bladders that gave out at about 20k. After replacing the bladders on warranty a couple times he converted over to springs and was done with it. There's a big aftermarket for kits to do this on cars.

[evoKENevo]

Hey guys
This thread is only the 3'rd time I've heard mention of Ultras (alone?) having a totally air suspension..no springs etc !?! How does this work..or supposed to work ?? What dampens bounce & jounce etc ???

Not long ago an acquaintence mentioned that his '90-Something Linc. Mark-IV also had that kind of suspension that repeatedly failed...and it would cost a small fortune to convert to springs,etc...all "news" to me !!

[unclepsycho]

Yeah I worked on one of them Mark V Lincoln's.... the car just rides on bags of air, one at each corner, and when it fails...instant low rider that is "slammed". for the Ultra's the 'bags' are in the shocks .

[HarleyCruiser]

Gee, I was thinking about going the opposite way on my Fatboy but won’t spend the six hundred to grand on a store bought set.
I would love to see what my lead sled looked like slammed in the grass.
Was thinking about making a air ride up out of air bags like the guys do on the cars.
Only they would have to be squeezed inside of some kind of holder instead of compressed, because of the Softail shock design.
Just haven’t figured out where to put the shock, unless one would be a spring one a shock.
That or making up a set using old take off shocks.
Make up a piston with o-rings.
Have an onboard air compressor, I already have a 12 volt one for emergency. Find a place to put it.
Maybe under the cowl.
Get a set of front forks off a FLH.
You know, a cheap mans air ride system.
Anyone got an old set of springs/shocks off an softail, cheap.
Gees that is what I need another project.

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by Buzz Kanter

The air would leak out of the stock suspension in a matter of days (or less) leaving a very harsh ride. I was tired of having to pump it back up every week.

That should do that. It shouldn't leak down. You may have a bad line or somin.