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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Ok, I found a post where someone asked for an alternative to the Victory air pump, however, short of suggesting using a regular bike pump, which doesn't screw onto the valve, and I doubt reads as accurate, no one said if they had bought an alternative. I borrowed my buddies air pump that he uses to adjust his Harley shocks with, but the sleeve is too long and won't push the needle far enough to add air. So, I remember when I was in the Victory dealership seeing this for $49.99, which seems a little steep to me for a small air pump. Also, it said "Fox" right on the gauge, so obviously Victory just packaged the pump and marked it up. Question, did anyone actually find (and use) another pump for the rear air shock? If so, what was it, how much, and where did you get it. Dennis Kirk has the Fox air pump, but after shipping, it's $6.00 less than the Victory one. Going to call a few bicycle shops tomorrow, but if someone can suggest something they used, I'd love to hear it. Thanks in advance.
Edited by divesharc 2009-06-10 11:38 PM
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New user
Posts: 3
Ottawa, Ontario | I use the Harley Davidson air pump. I bought it when I had the Venture and now use it on the Vision. It works well on the Vision. I think I paid about $60 Canadian. Here is a link to it at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Harley-Davidson%C2%AE-Suspension-motorcycles-... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 26
minnesota | I bought the one from Dennis Kirk. Looks the same as the Victory pumpfrom what i can tell. Works good. I do change the pressure based on solo or 2-up riding. Dennis Kirk is about 45 minutes from my house, so I usually ride up there and order via "Will Call". With a will call order if you don't like the item, you just hand the item back to them. Plus it is a good excuse for a ride. |
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Tourer
Posts: 374
Tucson, AZ | I also use the HD pump that i've had for years. No problems, works well and always in the side bag.
mike |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Just don't get anything with high volume as it will blow the shock. Recommend only using a small hand pump.
Has anyone gone with an on-board, in-flight air system yet? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | I got the HD pump for my Voyager XII. Works great on the Vision. The pumps are a "low air loss" type. That only means it has an extra O-ring so it seals immediately and doesn't bleed off air when connecting/disconnecting like regular tire pumps do. Mine takes a little push to get it engaged and compress the O-ring, then screws right on. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 12
| I went to Wal-mart and got a Schwinn bicycle hand pump, it doesn't screw on, but it works fine. Total cost $15. For as much as your gonna use it, I can't see spending any more. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| I set my air 12,000 miles ago and haven't touched it since good or bad that was free |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Well, for those who are interested, I went to a bicycle shop and bought a suspension fork pump, it was a Hurricane ($28). Got it home, and it works. The sleeve that screws on is shorter than the one I borrowed, so I was correct in that. What I was surprised at was how much air was in there. None! When I got the bike a year ago, I watched the dealer fill the shock. Put the pump on and there was no air, which explained why the wife said it was so uncomfortable riding on the back. She said every time we went over a pump she was getting jarred. That explains it. Just FYI, if you ride two up, you may want to check to see if it has any air. I thought mine did. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | The vision has a great system, just wish I could adjust in flight. I run 35 - 50 with just me, and about 65 - 70 with the wife unit or packed. It works real well, but riding with 70 and solo I can tell the tail is up, or 35 with the wife unit we're headin' for the stars. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 170
Barrington, NH | It is the same exact pump that comes in arctic cat snowmobiles that are equipped with fox float shocks. I know the arctic cat one retails for less than the vison one cost dealers! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 61
| The Shock holds up to 110 PSI. I use compressed air and a Tire gauge. Works fine just have to have a velvet touch. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 170
Barrington, NH | Chico7z - 2009-06-11 10:51 PM
It is the same exact pump that comes in arctic cat snowmobiles that are equipped with fox float shocks. I know the arctic cat one retails for less than the vison one cost dealers!
I just looked up the part number, Arctic Cat part# 2603-614 with a MSRP of 32.99. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Victorywldr - 2009-06-12 12:17 AM
The Shock holds up to 110 PSI. I use compressed air and a Tire gauge. Works fine just have to have a velvet touch.
You might want to rethink using compressed air. There are threads here and thevmc that caution the use because of the injection of water from the compressor into the shock bladder. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | divesharc - 2009-06-11 8:23 PM
What I was surprised at was how much air was in there. None! When I got the bike a year ago, I watched the dealer fill the shock. Put the pump on and there was no air, which explained why the wife said it was so uncomfortable riding on the back. She said every time we went over a pump she was getting jarred. That explains it. Just FYI, if you ride two up, you may want to check to see if it has any air. I thought mine did.
I checked mine a couple of weeks ago with my shiny new Victory pump; it said "zero" also (the HD labeled unit left with the Ultra).
I thought that was really weird since every time I had checked over the last year it was right on the money but who am I to argue with fancy brushed aluminum technology. So I pushed it up to 40 lbs and took the Vision out for a ride.
I thought that my spine was going to punch through the top of my helmet the first bump I hit. So I pulled the inline air gauge I use for adjusting tire pressure and checked the shock with it (this reading yielded almost 90 lbs).
Conclusion, I'm pretty certain that the accuracy of the gauge on my expensive new Victory pump is marginal, and I have further a priori evidence that " a man with two watches is never sure what time it is".
Edited by Tarpits99 2009-06-12 6:57 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Did you make sure you were using Vision aire?  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| Boooooooooooo! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Use my HD pump. Too expensive to throw away. works great. After14k, 10 psi is as low as it will go. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Tarpits, I thought maybe it was a gauge issue as well. Right after I filled it, I took it off, then put it back on again (twice) to make sure. I filled mine to about 55psi. Took the wife out the other day and she said it was a world of difference. Before every time we hit a little pump, she said she was getting a jarring pain in her spine. I never felt it since I was in the driver's seat, and not right over the shock. But, seems problem resolved. Glad I bought the pump, because apparently, my shock will leak air over time. Not entirely surprised since all air pocket (tires, shocks, etc) have a tendency to leak small amounts of air over time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | should you loose ANY air from your rear shock at all? if so how much is normal? |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | I use a small electric compressor. It lives in my right saddlebag all the time, and will also fill a tire, if I get a flat and need to plug it------Metalguy |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Arkainzeye - 2009-07-20 8:43 PM
should you loose ANY air from your rear shock at all? if so how much is normal?
yes and no. air, like anything else is affected by tempature. That is why there is winter air and summer air. have you switched your's out Arky? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | divesharc - 2009-06-16 10:06 AM
Tarpits, I thought maybe it was a gauge issue as well. Right after I filled it, I took it off, then put it back on again (twice) to make sure. I filled mine to about 55psi. Took the wife out the other day and she said it was a world of difference. Before every time we hit a little pump, she said she was getting a jarring pain in her spine. I never felt it since I was in the driver's seat, and not right over the shock. But, seems problem resolved. Glad I bought the pump, because apparently, my shock will leak air over time. Not entirely surprised since all air pocket (tires, shocks, etc) have a tendency to leak small amounts of air over time.
Marc, I would say if the air leakage is noticable then you should look at replacing your shock.
Ambient tempature will cause the psi to fall or rise slightly, but noticable loss of air on a ride indicates a problem.
The wife and I rode weekend before last and I pumped up the shock. I never let any out like I usually do, so when I checked it this past Saturday when we rode, it was about a pound below where I had it a week before. The book says that there is a 3 - 4 psi drop when ever you removed the pump, so compensate for it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | varyder - 2009-07-21 4:28 AM
Arkainzeye - 2009-07-20 8:43 PM
should you loose ANY air from your rear shock at all? if so how much is normal?
yes and no. air, like anything else is affected by tempature. That is why there is winter air and summer air. have you switched your's out Arky?
you asked if i switched it out? im not sure i know what your talking about. if you mean the stock air shock, then No ididnt replace it. i was hoping i didnt have too.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I was just messing with you.
The point though is that the air will change pressure with tempature, ever so slightly. I look at it over the long term, that is, if I put 50psi in today and then 3 days later I have 40 psi in there I have concern. If it it 48psi and it is in the morning I wouldn't be concerned. There would be that much change.
If you do have a leak, the only fix according to the service manual is to replace, but I would check and make sure it is not leaking out of the valve, as the core would be replaceable.
Edited by varyder 2009-07-21 7:17 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | All air springs leak down over time. That is one disadvantage compared to coil springs. A new air shock should hold pressure for a month or so with average use before any noticable reduction in pressure. It will eventually leak down though.
A mountain bike shock pump is the same as the Victory pump. The air spring concept is exactly the same on both and use a Schrader valve for pressurizing.
Fox does not make their pump. They buy and resell like Victory. So, the same pump can be found on-line for less $$. A variety of pumps can be found on bicycle websites. Each has its own bells and whistles, but all give you the same result. Type "shock pump" into google and the results are endless. Prices range from $20 to infinity.
The gauge on bicycle shock pumps are crap. I suggest using the gauge that came with your vision.
A good pump will not release any air from the shock when removed. The air you hear is coming from the pump not the shock. If you use a separte gauge, air WILL be released from the shock. The gauge that came with your Vision will reduce the pressure approx 4 psi when removed. If you don't want to mess with a separate gauge, replace the crap one on the pump with a better quality unit. Here is what I use http://gaugestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=31334 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | I forgot about this post, but I actually did buy the Fox air pump. It was local and I didn't have to buy the Victory one. I had to have the rear shock replaced though, it was leaking air badly. I filled the shock to 55psi, which is not near the mx it can hold. We did a 1-1/2 hour ride and the pressure dropped to 30psi. That's a big difference. I tested a few more times, just to be sure, and sure enough, it leaked. Just sitting in the garage for 5 days had a 15psi leak.
I had the rear shock replaced (under extended warranty, now kinda glad that I bought it) and seems to hold air fine now. I still make adjustments between when the wife is riding, and when I am solo, but all is much better. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | Divesharc,
You mentioned that the HD pump did not fit. I helped design the HD fitting that the pump threads on to. The Victory, HD, and Fox shocks all use the same Shrader valve. So, the pumps are interchangable. Some pumps have different length "sleeves" as you called it, but that should make no difference. Is it possible the seal in the HD pump you used was worn? I have never seen a pump that won't fit, so I am just curious. |
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Tourer
Posts: 309
Vineland, NJ United States | good info. What pump should I buy that will accept the screw in gauge you listed? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I like this one the best so far.
http://www.hucknroll.com/mountainbike/CUT0009/Cutter-Transition-Sho...
It's simple and easy to use. No bells or whistles. Toss the 300psi gauge and replace with the 100 psi gauge that I provided a link to above. The reason they come with a high pressure gauge is because mountain bike shocks require much higher pressure than the Vision shock. The gauge is also very inaccurate. The gauge I suggest has a true 3/2/3% accuracy. This means it 3% accurate in the first 1/4 of the scale, 2% in the middle half, and 3% in last 1/4.
This pump is sold under many different name brands. Shop around on-line and you might find it for less money elsewhere. There other pumps that work good too for approx $20. Look for the type that use the bottom mount gauge like the web link above. That way it can be easily replaced.
Hope this helps. |
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Victory/Fox air pump