Air Ride Question

[KaptinAmerika]

Okay I guess I know who this is now after all. I was hoping that stupid shit was over but I guess not.

And you also answered my previous question thank you.

Did you not read a word I wrote.
Oh I know following your logic I should let all the air out, turn the handle bars to the left and then promptly let the bike fall over on it's side as I get off because "that's what the manual tells you to do". Right, since I did clearly explain to you and everyone else in this post that is what happens with my bike if I do what the manual states. And please..please quote me where I actually stated "it is ok to park with air ride inflated". That is your thought process and in no way has anything to do with anything I have stated here.
If your manual tells you "jump off a bridge it will be alright" do you go jump off the bridge?
You probably would I know but the rest of us adjust and make do.

Like a few others here I'm done communicating with you so take care and buh bye.

 

[JB105]

Okay I guess I know who this is now after all. I was hoping that stupid shit was over but I guess not.

And you also answered my previous question thank you.

Did you not read a word I wrote.
Oh I know following your logic I should let all the air out, turn the handle bars to the left and then promptly let the bike fall over on it's side as I get off because "that's what the manual tells you to do". Right, since I did clearly explain to you and everyone else in this post that is what happens with my bike if I do what the manual states. And please..please quote me where I actually stated "it is ok to park with air ride inflated". That is your thought process and in no way has anything to do with anything I have stated here.
If your manual tells you "jump off a bridge it will be alright" do you go jump off the bridge?
You probably would I know but the rest of us adjust and make do.

Like a few others here I'm done communicating with you so take care and buh bye.

The only thing I’m gonna say is you DIDNT air your bike down and turn bars left upon parking? If you prefer to parking your bike on its side then that’s your choice. Mine has never fallen over in 13 years. Because I always air it down and turn bars left per instructions.

 

[prodiver]

Interesting, how is it the bump stops didn’t work? Almost seems impossible for the swing arm to go beyond the position of the bump stops if in fact the bump stops are actually present, maybe yours were removed? I have factory air ride on mine and never had a leak I also have friends that have air ride on their bikes so to say you never seen an air ride that doesn’t leak is sort of exaggerating just because yours did doesn’t mean they all do.

The bump stops were there but they weren't thick enough to stop the swing arm before the tire hit the fender.

 

[Cruz Dog]

So I too have an air ride question. I’m looking to add air to my 2010 Bulldog bagger. What would I have to do which shocks would work for the bagger?

 

[TapioK]

I find this whole let air out bit funny. If the bike falls on it’s face when suspension is empty it really does not make much difference it you let time do it or you do it faster by letting air out yourself end result is pretty much the same.

 

[JB105]

I find this whole let air out bit funny. If the bike falls on it’s face when suspension is empty it really does not make much difference it you let time do it or you do it faster by letting air out yourself end result is pretty much the same.

The bike will not fall over I’ve had air ride on mine for 13 years and never once did it fall there are instructions on how to properly use it along with parking procedure I even found a how to on it in the how to section of this forum.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/questions-on-air-ride-instructions.3478/

 

[TapioK]

The bike will not fall over I’ve had air ride on mine for 13 years and never once did it fall there are instructions on how to properly use it along with parking procedure I even found a how to on it in the how to section of this forum.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/questions-on-air-ride-instructions.3478/

Have no bloody idea myself, was just reading the comments above nor do I really care it’s still funny. Unless it’s my bike falling down.
But tell me what does letting air out your self really help comparing to system leaking by it self?

 

[MossBerg590]

Ahh glad I have a ridgeback....softail problems...lol

 

[Milco]

I have only run the stock air ride for the life of my K9, about 55,000.
I don't run it without the compressor and I don't think I ever would.
Sometimes it holds air for weeks and then sometimes I have to air it up everyday.
I broke a couple of shock bolts due to the overly stiff shock, well that and the fact that I weighed 300+ for a good portion of those miles, they put on with the Air shock so I switched to one of the softer MID-USA Chrome narrow body shocks we carry and no more broken shock bolts so far. Bike has been on it's side a couple of times because the air ride bled out and the bike stood to upright on the stock stand so I switched to the hidden spring stand we carry to prevent that in the future as it let's the bike lean over more. If you have your ride loaded down and the air system bleeds out while your riding, it would have to be fairly quickly, the bump stops will not save you as prodiver has explained. I had a couple of leak downs while riding and while I caught them it wasn't before the swing arm had a chance to contact the fender and put a ding in the powder coat.
We finally got everything squared away with Fournales and we are currently awaiting the first two sets of Euro Pan Air shocks.
We also now have a supplier for the correct rate spring that came in the BD OEM Works shocks so we will be installing them in the MID-USA chrome narrow body shocks as a replacement for the OEM BD Works shocks since Works is no longer in business. We are now working with a local performance shock manufacturer to customize the shocks for better handling etc. We already have the ability in house, and have made the service available, to rebuild the shocks and to make changes in the damping and preload of the OEM BD shocks. We have done a few local customers as well as some for distant customers and they are really happy with the changes. We have found though that the front forks generally need some adjustment as well to keep everything equal and working correctly.

Hi Curtis, what's the hidden spring stand? Can't find it on your website?

 

[drK-9]

Sorry to hijack but it seems to be attracting people with airride. I have a question about my bulldog LE. I can air it up just fine with compressor, but it won’t air down with the other button. It stays up, I park it wheel facing left and after 3 or so days, it goes down. Anyone have that problem?

 

[JB105]

Sorry to hijack but it seems to be attracting people with airride. I have a question about my bulldog LE. I can air it up just fine with compressor, but it won’t air down with the other button. It stays up, I park it wheel facing left and after 3 or so days, it goes down. Anyone have that problem?

Sounds like it is most likely the solenoid which Donna and Derek still sell. I have a spare compressor I’d think about selling if that is your problem but I’m leaning towards the solenoid.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/372581312780

 

[JB105]

Have no bloody idea myself, was just reading the comments above nor do I really care it’s still funny. Unless it’s my bike falling down.
But tell me what does letting air out your self really help comparing to system leaking by it self?

Well a properly functioning and maintained system will not leak,the air ride system does require maintenance for example every fall I put a couple drops of air tool oil in the line and cycle through the air up and down a few times to keep the air shock lubricated, also check the lines and fittings at the same time.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Sorry to hijack but it seems to be attracting people with airride. I have a question about my bulldog LE. I can air it up just fine with compressor, but it won’t air down with the other button. It stays up, I park it wheel facing left and after 3 or so days, it goes down. Anyone have that problem?

If you have the BD system then something is wrong with the air relief valve or something in it's circuit. The wire connector on the air relief can be somewhat delicate so it may have come out or broken off. I ended up removing it and soldering the wires directly to the board. It is likely it's the quick connect hoses and fittings they used that are leaking. Replace them with braided lines.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Hi Curtis, what's the hidden spring stand? Can't find it on your website?

Search for "kickstand" it will come up.
It's just a clean looking stand that has the spring inside instead of outside the stand body. It's not for everyone but I've been very happy with it and I prefer the lower lean for allot of reasons.

 

[Milco]

Search for "kickstand" it will come up.
It's just a clean looking stand that has the spring inside instead of outside the stand body. It's not for everyone but I've been very happy with it and I prefer the lower lean for allot of reasons.

Thnx Curtis, found it, what is the benefit compared to stock?

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Thnx Curtis, found it, what is the benefit compared to stock?

The benefit for me was the steeper lean to keep my bike on its feet but I also think the steeper lean makes the bike look more aggressive when it's sitting still ...lol. Just my opinion, otherwise it is just a much cleaner look and it has a clean positive feel putting it down and raising it back up. The downside is in soft dirt or ultra hot asphalt there is no foot like the OEM so it tends to sink in but I've always carried a kick stand puck with me, even when I had the OEMO, so it's never been an issue for me. If your happy with the OEM there really is no reason to switch. It's just an option for folks.

 

[Brent Herridge]

Mine has factory air ride, and I always air it down when parking. I had some work done when I first bought it, and my mechanic told me to always air it totally down when parking. He also informed me that's why people get air ride in the first place - to get that cool hard-tail look when you're parked. When doing this for the first time, I also realized the kick stand finally fit and wasn't leaning the bike so far over.

So I'd like to see picture of a bike with this new stand. I just assumed the air ride bikes had shorter kickstands than other K9s since it seems about right with no air, and leans ridiculously far when it is aired.

Finally, my bike had an air pressure gauge mounted to the top of the rear cylinder head. That turned out to be the leak, so I just removed it. You can tell when to stop inflating by ride hight, so I saw need for a gauge. Since then it has held air for the duration of the rides I've been on. That is admittedly only a few hours though.

 

[francoblay1]

The benefit for me was the steeper lean to keep my bike on its feet but I also think the steeper lean makes the bike look more aggressive when it's sitting still ...lol. Just my opinion, otherwise it is just a much cleaner look and it has a clean positive feel putting it down and raising it back up. The downside is in soft dirt or ultra hot asphalt there is no foot like the OEM so it tends to sink in but I've always carried a kick stand puck with me, even when I had the OEMO, so it's never been an issue for me. If your happy with the OEM there really is no reason to switch. It's just an option for folks.

 

[Milco]

The benefit for me was the steeper lean to keep my bike on its feet but I also think the steeper lean makes the bike look more aggressive when it's sitting still ...lol. Just my opinion, otherwise it is just a much cleaner look and it has a clean positive feel putting it down and raising it back up. The downside is in soft dirt or ultra hot asphalt there is no foot like the OEM so it tends to sink in but I've always carried a kick stand puck with me, even when I had the OEMO, so it's never been an issue for me. If your happy with the OEM there really is no reason to switch. It's just an option for folks.

OK, thnx Curtis!

 

[JB105]

Sorry to hijack but it seems to be attracting people with airride. I have a question about my bulldog LE. I can air it up just fine with compressor, but it won’t air down with the other button. It stays up, I park it wheel facing left and after 3 or so days, it goes down. Anyone have that problem?

Here is another thread that points in the direction that I sent you in with checking your solenoid, seems Brandon had a similar problem and it was the solenoid.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/air-ride-suspension-fixed.81185/