Originally Posted by dkyork

"and was concerned about extra stress on my swingarm from the heavier one piece shotgun unit"

I still don't understand the physics behind this statement. With the bike on the ground, the swingarm is naturally being pushed up into the fender by the weight of the bike on the read tire. The shock body underneath the bike attaches to the swingarm and frame parallel to the ground. Regardless of how much the shock body weighs, isn't the same amount of force being applied to the bushings that connect it to the frame(Essentially the weight of the bike that is pushing the swingarm up and pulling on the shock body attached to the frame)? I think it would be different if the shock body were actually vertical and the weight of the shock body would then apply, but we're talking a lb or two on top of hundreds of lbs from the bike? Meh, I'm getting confused now, but for some reason my logical brain doesn't sit right with this statement.

For example, if we had two differently weighted objects(5lb and 15lb) on the ground up against a wall with a scale on the wall and we applied 15 lbs of pressue against each object toward the wall, wouldn't it still be 15 lbs of pressure through each object on the scale and the weight of the objects don't matter? Now if we put the objects on top of a weight scale on the ground, we'll then see the weight of object come into account on the weight scale for a total of 20lb and 30lb respectively. However, even in a vertical install, the weight of the bike pushes the swingarm up through the rear tire and creates force against the shocks, so not sure how the weight of the shock affects the swingarm? The weight of the shock would add total weight to the bike, but again only talking a lb or two?

HAHA, blame my wife for watching FAME and forcing me to come on here and kill time! I'm totally confused now and stopping here!

If I have miunderstood this, please someone explain.

Dale

Originally Posted by ElSupremo

The Shotgun uses air pressure to lower the bike, and the Platinum uses pressure to raise the bike, iirc. In the unlikely event of a failure on either system, the bike with a Shotgun would rise, and the one with a Platinum would lower. I haven't read about any real failures with either system, other than some sorting out type issues.

I'd say going with either of those systems would be the 2 best choices.

Originally Posted by DR. V-TWIN

The shotgun and Platinum are comparable with a few small differences. They were both designed by the same guy. The main difference is that Platinum is two separate shock bodies where the shotgun is a on piece unit. The Platinum has external air lines that hold air when the system is pressurized while the shotgun does not. The Platinum has 2 cylinders in each shock that pressurize. One that raises the bike, and one that controls the rebound. The Shotgun has 4 cylinders in the one piece body. So this part is the same. They can both be adjusted on the fly. The SAS is a one piece unit that also holds the compressor where as with Platinum and Shotgun the compressor is a separate unit. The rebound on the SAS is done with an allen head screw on the shock body as opposed to with the push of a button. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Platinum allows access to the transmission drain plug and since it is a one piece unit it puts no extra stress on the swingarm bushings. Shotgun has an advantage as it holds no air in the external air line from the compressor to the shock body. SAS has the advantage where evcerything is in one piece so the mounting is the simplest of all 3. I have not ridden a bike with Shotgun or SAS but have read reviews. I have ridden with Platinum and Hi Lo which is different in that the shock only has one cylinder that fills with air and does not allow a rebound adjustment like these other systems. The Platinum is head and shoulders above the Hi Lo, which is not bad, just different. I did not want to have to remove my shock when I need to change the Transmission oil which is why I went with Platinum and was concerned about extra stress on my swingarm from the heavier one piece shotgun unit. So there you have it.

Originally Posted by thewholehog

Is the method of adjusting rebound damping on the SAS inferior to the others or just different?

So far from what I've read I like the Shotgun the best, but where do you mount the compressor?

Originally Posted by harleyheaven

The compressor mounts to the transmission case. The holes are already there they just have to be tapped. There is a photo on the website
http://www.shotgunshock.com/ and you can also click on the contact link on the left, then the myspace link in the middle. Once on myspace click on the pics link to view more pictures.

Originally Posted by Milty

Why Shotgun of course!
On the fly or parked. 1 toggle height,1 for rebound. Platinum is comparable. SAS I can't comment on but I think you need a allen key or somethin and crawl under the bike to adjust.

Originally Posted by stratplexi

Oh, JD's customer support is the best I have seen.

Shotgun is expensive. But you are getting the latest design in air rides for Softails with a lifetime warranty and the best support in the biz. The choice is yours...