It's best to use a Progressive shock pump on the rear shocks to avoid seal/air line damage.

 

I have owned two HD touring bikes (Road King Classic and now a Road Glide). And, the shocks on both bikes did put out some oil when I connect the hand pump to them. I was told that this is normal, and it does make sense! A little oil is always needed to keep the rubber seals lubricated and soft. I don't think you can compare the HD shocks with those on a car! My Road King had over 40k miles on it before I traded it in. And, I never had any issues with air leaking from the shocks!

 

The shocks have a floating "disc" with two "O" rings that separate the shock hydraulic fluid chamber and the air chamber.

The owners manual says that "moisture and or oil from assembly or compressor air/oil mist" may be present in the lines.

Oil coming from the shock air line tells me your shocks are dead! There should be no shock hydraulic oil in the air line.

Standard factory OEM shocks are only good for 12,000-15,000 miles before loosing their dampening affect.
Most people don't realize this until they see a shock leaking or the ride has changed before they replace the shocks.

I would go with a set of Progressive shocks before I put another set of HD shocks on my bike.

Steve

 

The shocks have a floating "disc" with two "O" rings that separate the shock hydraulic fluid chamber and the air chamber.

The owners manual says that "moisture and or oil from assembly or compressor air/oil mist" may be present in the lines.

Hydraulic oil (not machine oil used to assemble the shocks) coming from the shock air line tells me your shocks are dead! There should be no shock hydraulic oil in the air line.

Standard factory OEM shocks are only good for 12,000-15,000 miles before loosing their dampening affect.
Most people don't realize this until they see a shock leaking or the ride has changed before they replace the shocks.

I would go with a set of Progressive shocks before I put another set of HD shocks on my bike.

Steve

 

Well Steve, I think I'll wait until I see that my shocks can no longer hold air. As of right now, they are holding fine. I loaded them up to 25psi last weekend and the pressure still holds today. Not sure how my old Road King lasted all those miles.

Yes, progressive shocks are nice, but I think I'll hold on to my $500 for something that I may truly need in the future. I'm glad that you like your upgrades. I'm sure they're nice to ride on.

Kahuna

 

Damn,

I thought that the part in the owner's manual that says "oil may come from shock assembly" would have cleared this up.

 

At any rate, my shocks have 62k on them. They still hold air. I can pump them up and check them months down the road and still find the same amount of oil in them. I must have an extraordinary pair of shocks.

 

I've had oil come out on 3 different bikes I've owned. The oil is there to prevent corrosion when the moister inherent in the air condenses inside of the shock.

 

SteveO,

By one of your post I read that oil shouldn't come out the air fitting hole unless the shock was damaged, right? Am I correct in assuming that you are saying by design that I can't happen if the shock is undamaged?

I got this shock off of my bench. It has zero miles on it. I took the air fitting out and guess what happened when I turned it upside down....Oil came out. Check out the pic of my wet finger. I guess the motorcycle that it came off of could have had a damaged shock right off the showroom floor, but I doubt it.

BTW, if anyone needs it. I have the amount and correct weight of oil in each shock written down somewhere should you need to refill yours for some reason.

 

The air chamber and the shock dampening effect are completly seperiate. The more air pressure, the less shock travel you have.

The shock could hold air pressure without leaking and the shocks be worn out. Shocks don't have to leak fluid or fail to hold air to be worn out.

Just my .02 worth.

Steve