I tried this question before but got no replies so I thought I would ask again. When your cycle is off the floor with no air in the air shock system is it normal for the shock pistons to completely extend? I am trying to figure out if I need new shocks.

I have an on-board compressor system so I can completely dump all the air in the shocks. Those of you with the HD factory manual pump system likely would not have this happen since your system would hold the existing pressure. Thank you.

 

The answer is yes they do completely extend. The air in the shocks act like a spring, so does the same thing, even in an entirely air system (I have Fournales high pressure air shocks at present). The springs/air are there to counter the weight of the bike and passengers when on the ground, so any adjustment to air pressure or spring rate stiffens them up, but doesn't affect what happens when the bike is off the ground.