Air Ride Systems

[Th3InfamousI]

I did a little search and was wondering if anyone has installed any aftermarket air rides on their doggie.

I was looking around and came across this system which looks to be an absolute piece of cake to install with no seperate compressor/solenoid. From a BD standpoint would be great to not have to worry about figuring out where to mount the compressor.

SAS-99 Simplified Air Suspension

Obviously it is pricey but most Air Rides run about $1,000 anyways, this would save time installing the system.

I guess my question while I know the BD softails run standard Harley softail shocks - Is the spacing between the shocks between Big Dog and Harley as well? Considering this really is two shocks in 1 the mounting has to match with the width as well as the length. Wheras really on the length has match on other setups air ride or not, the width is less important. For example you could have smaller/larger width then stock and it would still fit to a certain extent.



here is an article on Cryill Hill from a few years ago so they are not new. About 6-7 years old.
Refined Softail Air Suspension at Cyril Huze Post

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Posting this here so I don't lose it.

I identified the same compressor used on the BDM kits doing some research on the air ride systems.

Model #115adc56/12
http://www.gd-thomas.com/product.aspx?id=12614&tp=p

Made by Thomas - appears you can pick it up for around $165 online, for whatever reason Grainger wants $300 :down:. Just throwing that out there.
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/thomas-...r&adid=29963&gclid=CM6b-_XSkr8CFW4Q7AodQxgAtg

http://www.grainger.com/product/3HC...3HCA3&ef_id=UiT@6QAAAatmaguQ:20140624134649:s

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Grainger wants double for most things..LOL

Great info though Th3
I was searching for it last year and uncovered all the detail info but could never find a distributor. I had to let it go for awhile though as I got buried with too many other projects.

Thanks for the info

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Grainger wants double for most things..LOL

Great info though Th3
I was searching for it last year and uncovered all the detail info but could never find a distributor. I had to let it go for awhile though as I got buried with too many other projects.

Thanks for the info

Welcome - Compressor should work with any 88-99 Softail Air shocks. Just need that and a soloneid and trigger switch wire directly to your battery and off she goes!

I'm trying to see if I can build a system on the cheap and it appears entirely possible for under $500.

I still like the SAS system as it streamlines everything in 1 package - Price point is a bit much.

 

[paleskin]

Between you 2 guys working on a project like this, once you figure out if you can lower the price point some, I suspect many of us would be interested in buying one. Keep us in the loop.

 

[Jwooky]

great work...is the solenoid just to dump the air?

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Yes the solenoid dumps the air.
I wished I didn't have so many other projects I would work on this but it sounds like Th3 is working on it so lets see what happens.
Hey Th3 I want first dibs on Dealership...LOL

 

[bearman]

The Progressive airtail shocks use a single air-spring on one side paired along with a traditional shock (damper) on the other. So it’s not one that will let you set it on the ground when not riding, but it probably provides the best ride available. That is only my opinion, I don’t own any or sell them.
One thing about these is that there is an air inlet on both ends of the air-spring. I assume this is so that you can adjust ride height separately from spring rate. While this complicates things if you use it, I don’t think you can do that with the other ones.
And unless you want the “set it on the ground” function, there is no real reason for an onboard electric pump. For the airtail model you could mount two tire valves under the seat and get a small manual bicycle pump (for all others you would only need one). Progressive even sells manual airshock pumps with digital gauges built in.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

The Progressive airtail shocks use a single air-spring on one side paired along with a traditional shock (damper) on the other. So it’s not one that will let you set it on the ground when not riding, but it probably provides the best ride available. That is only my opinion, I don’t own any or sell them.
One thing about these is that there is an air inlet on both ends of the air-spring. I assume this is so that you can adjust ride height separately from spring rate. While this complicates things if you use it, I don’t think you can do that with the other ones.
And unless you want the “set it on the ground” function, there is no real reason for an onboard electric pump. For the airtail model you could mount two tire valves under the seat and get a small manual bicycle pump (for all others you would only need one). Progressive even sells manual airshock pumps with digital gauges built in.

Thats how the original BD was designed one with air & one without. However they had the compressor so you could adjust on the fly as well as dump when parked. I think its a nice to have and will provide easy adjustment between riding solo or two up.

The only thing I'm still trying to track down is a decent air shock at a decent price. I have everything else at this point.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

The Progressive airtail shocks use a single air-spring on one side paired along with a traditional shock (damper) on the other. So it’s not one that will let you set it on the ground when not riding, but it probably provides the best ride available. That is only my opinion, I don’t own any or sell them.
One thing about these is that there is an air inlet on both ends of the air-spring. I assume this is so that you can adjust ride height separately from spring rate. While this complicates things if you use it, I don’t think you can do that with the other ones.
And unless you want the “set it on the ground” function, there is no real reason for an onboard electric pump. For the airtail model you could mount two tire valves under the seat and get a small manual bicycle pump (for all others you would only need one). Progressive even sells manual airshock pumps with digital gauges built in.

Thats how the original BD was designed one with air & one without. However they had the compressor so you could adjust on the fly as well as dump when parked. I think its a nice to have and will provide easy adjustment between riding solo or two up.

The only thing I'm still trying to track down is a decent air shock at a decent price. I have everything else at this point.


Although, I'll be honest I was hoping someone else had experience with some other air ride systems that bolt on but I guess not :bang:

 

[malow1]

I did a little search and was wondering if anyone has installed any aftermarket air rides on their doggie.

I was looking around and came across this system which looks to be an absolute piece of cake to install with no seperate compressor/solenoid. From a BD standpoint would be great to not have to worry about figuring out where to mount the compressor.

SAS-99 Simplified Air Suspension

Obviously it is pricey but most Air Rides run about $1,000 anyways, this would save time installing the system.

I guess my question while I know the BD softails run standard Harley softail shocks - Is the spacing between the shocks between Big Dog and Harley as well? Considering this really is two shocks in 1 the mounting has to match with the width as well as the length. Wheras really on the length has match on other setups air ride or not, the width is less important. For example you could have smaller/larger width then stock and it would still fit to a certain extent.



here is an article on Cryill Hill from a few years ago so they are not new. About 6-7 years old.
Refined Softail Air Suspension at Cyril Huze Post

I have a Bike Buddy Pro (Hi-Lo Rider) system on mine since 2005 with no problems. can raise it 4 inches and drop it into the weeds when parked. this system is no longer available due to the economy crash the guy that made these had to get a real job!

 

[pknowles]

if I'm not mistaken, Grainger owns (zoro.com) and sells this same pump for the online sales. I got this info from our purchasing agent who shops ever dam thing we buy. If there's a deal floating around, he can find it.

 

[flcmcya]

I replaced the small air valve on my Bull and tightened a couple leaks but occasionally get some bleed from somewhere ...sounds like possibly the shock itself? ...... any other experience with that?......... appears just the one air shock is pretty costly so that whole new setup you posted is pretty cheap in comparison.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Let me play devils advocate here:

We have bikes with poor electronics that leave us on the side of the road, crap bearings in the trans and wheels, controls that when get wet leave us sitting, cheap clutch cables that break and now you want to add more problems?

Air ride is cool IF it's a show bike or you just trailer it to events but for everyday riding it doesn't seem logical to have to worry about an air leak, busted line, shock leak or compressor going bad. Just my 2 cents....

 

[geoffmt]

I am interested in the idea of air ride, I put about 1k miles in the past month and my back is reminding me of that. Sucks getting older

 

[KaptinAmerika]

I have 50,000 plus miles on my air ride and I have loved every minute of it.

 

[kickstart]

I have both and it does not make very much difference to my old back.

I am interested in the idea of air ride, I put about 1k miles in the past month and my back is reminding me of that. Sucks getting older

 

[Jwooky]

Anyone ever locate a good air shock?

 

[Skydiver]

They are pricey but so far I love the SAS system and it was a snap to install.

http://v2-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11414

 

[Jwooky]

I saw those and like them a lot! Nice clean package.

Pricey though.