I just bought some air shocks (on the way) from a Road King. Do I need to buy an HD air pump or will handpumps used to pump bicycle tires work (with PSI gauge)?

 

Yes, bicycle pumps work just fine.

 

How do you keep it from leaking as you disconnect the pump?
Steve in Ct

 

hold up- the pump needs to be a VERY small bore.

MOST bicycle pumps will overpressure the system in less than one stroke--- blowing the seals out-$$$$$

the "syringe" type pump sold by HD and other vendors is perfect for air shocks.

pricey, but perfect.

Mike

 

+1 will save you damage

 

A bicycle fork pump will do the trick for you, and is often available at bicycle shops at a lot lower cost than the HD model. Many mountain bike forks come with a syringe style fork pump in the box, so check at the local mountain bike shops to ask for one. You can also get them off nashbar.com, performancebike.com, and so forth for a lot less than the HD brand specific model of the same thing.

Don't use a bicycle tire pump! Make sure it's a syringe style pump made for forks and you'll be fine.

Hope this helps,
'fooz

 

Look for one in the fs section. I keep mine in my saddle bag so I can check them when we are out riding.

 

Looks like you dumped $600 into pipes and you wont spend $50 on a hand pump?

 

I use my shop air compressor and put whatever psi I want in a portable air bottle, then use the air bottle to "fill" the shocks. No blowouts but the downside is it's not portable so have to borrow a bud's pump for checking/filling on longer trips.

 

The HD shock air pump or simular is worth every penny. It's easy to get the exact PSI you want and doesn't lose any when disconnecting. I changed the oil in my stock shocks to 10 wt and only run 10 lbs riding solo.