Can the Freewheeler's rear air shocks be changed to coilover, and, if so...

[The West Virginian]

Can the Freewheeler's rear air shocks be changed to coilover, and, if so...

Good evening, all.

As the weather here in West Virginia has not been conducive to riding Ms. Scarlett with any degree of regularity, or for any extended distances, I have been passing away the time pondering changes I'd like to make to her. Upgrade engine to 110 is pretty high on the list, along with a complete V&H intake/exhaust/tuner install. Swapping bars, grips, and mirrors have all been considered, as well.

Today, though, I started musing over the rear suspension. I loathe the OEM air shocks on Scarlett. From what I see online, it appears they can be upgraded to a coilover suspension, the very thought sending me into euphoria. I'm wondering if I am interpreting what I have read is correct: can the air shocks be changed to coil over? If so, is it a bear to undertake? If anyone has done the upgrade, do you feel it was worth the cost and time?

Thank you all very much in advance for any insight you can offer.

Take care.
Aaron

 

[Gorilla]

Good evening, all.

As the weather here in West Virginia has not been conducive to riding Ms. Scarlett with any degree of regularity, or for any extended distances, I have been passing away the time pondering changes I'd like to make to her. Upgrade engine to 110 is pretty high on the list, along with a complete V&H intake/exhaust/tuner install. Swapping bars, grips, and mirrors have all been considered, as well.

Today, though, I started musing over the rear suspension. I loathe the OEM air shocks on Scarlett. From what I see online, it appears they can be upgraded to a coilover suspension, the very thought sending me into euphoria. I'm wondering if I am interpreting what I have read is correct: can the air shocks be changed to coil over? If so, is it a bear to undertake? If anyone has done the upgrade, do you feel it was worth the cost and time?

Thank you all very much in advance for any insight you can offer.

Take care.
Aaron

Aaron,

Yes they can. Suggest you go to DK Products a sponsor of this site and read all about it. Most of what he says is for the TRI-Glide but it applies to the free wheeler. You would just pre-load for a little less weight.

Ted

 

[The West Virginian]

Thank you much, Gorilla! I shall reach out to DK post haste. I'd like to have this done before Spring comes rolling in.

 

[Gorilla]

Thank you much, Gorilla! I shall reach out to DK post haste. I'd like to have this done before Spring comes rolling in.

Just FYI I changed the air to coil over on my 07 Harley/Champion conversion rode with them about 30k before I purchased my current 13 TRI. I changed my TRI almost immediately to coil overs and I have 35K on them. Setup correctly you will never go back to air.

 

[The West Virginian]

Thank you very much, again, Gorilla. I checked DK's site and it looks like I should go with the Comfort Lift Kit and the Pro-Action shocks. I sent them a message to get their input to make sure I'm on the right track.

 

[Gorilla]

Cool Kevin will take care of you

 

[vito]

I don't understand. Coil-over shocks are generally cheaper than air shocks so, if they are better, why does Harley-D use air shocks???

 

[Springman2007]

I don't understand. Coil-over shocks are generally cheaper than air shocks so, if they are better, why does Harley-D use air shocks???

HD moved to Air shocks for ALL its touring models many moons ago and it is sort of a one-fits-all use....only the pressure setting changes slightly between model specs.....allows for the old conservation of production parts....

I personally feel air shocks can do the job well - if properly setup and maintained......at least my butt thinks so.....

Springman

 

[1dn5up]

Air vs coil

Like having a pair of shoes , either they fit or they don't! Air is for trucks, coil over is for trikes orag:

 

[HDB0B]

Besides the shocks .... the ride can also be improved by proper rear tire air pressure.

The 26 psi that H-D lists is "The minimum listed pressure by The Tire & Rim Manufacturers".

I use 22 psi on my TriGlide and it really helps smooth out the ride. Most of my FW friends use 20 - 22 psi.

Page 3 here > http://www.lehmantrikes.com/assets/docs/uploads/Manuals/techbook-master.pdf

Bob

 

[Springman2007]

Like having a pair of shoes , either they fit or they don't! Air is for trucks, coil over is for trikes orag:

...Bull.. :Crap: ..IMHO

Springman

 

[Springman2007]

Besides the shocks .... the ride can also be improved by proper rear tire air pressure.

The 26 psi that H-D lists is "The minimum listed pressure by The Tire & Rim Manufacturers".

I use 22 psi on my TriGlide and it really helps smooth out the ride. Most of my FW friends use 20 - 22 psi.

Page 3 here > http://www.lehmantrikes.com/assets/docs/uploads/Manuals/techbook-master.pdf

Bob

I much agree!

Springman

 

[1dn5up]

...Bull.. :Crap: ..IMHO

Springman

I run 22 in tires also, however with the coilovers you do not get that abrupt jump as with the oem's. Handeling stays the same. I tried every lb combo on the oem's, no comparison. ---IHMO

 

[DK Custom Products]

HD moved to Air shocks for ALL its touring models many moons ago and it is sort of a one-fits-all use....only the pressure setting changes slightly between model specs.....allows for the old conservation of production parts....

I personally feel air shocks can do the job well - if properly setup and maintained......at least my butt thinks so.....

Springman

For close to 100K miles I ran the air shocks on my TG's, along with a MacAir to easily adjust the PSI for different loads/road conditions, along with 20-22 psi in the rear tires. I was pretty happy with them too...Until I tried some quality aftermarket shocks.

I did not realize how much better the ride could be.

I won't be going back to the HD air shocks.

LINK to a report of some testing we did.


Here's what one of our Customers wrote-

" ...the 444's were 100% better than the OEM Air shocks and the Pro-Action Shocks are 100% better than the 444's.

I believe the biggest experience change would be anyone going from the OEM Air directly to the Pro-Action shocks." -Roger



Kevin