F3T rear air shock

[Buckskin]

When adding air to the shock, is it best to use a hand pump of some kind or can one just use regular air line and give it a quick shot of air til you reach that proper pressure? At 200 lbs, what is recommended pressure and if adding a passenger about how much more to add?
Buckskin

 

[MNBK]

I used a hand pump and it worked fine. I weigh 230 and ride solo. I put in 40.

 

[jcthorne]

We use the same hose we fill the tires with from the compressor. 40 or so one up. 50 or so 2 up is a good starting point. They lose air over time as well. Have to refill every couple weeks.

 

[Peteoz]

We use the same hose we fill the tires with from the compressor. 40 or so one up. 50 or so 2 up is a good starting point. They lose air over time as well. Have to refill every couple weeks.

I read somewhere that you shouldn't use a tire air hose, JC.... so that's a furphy as long as you use common sense to avoid any over inflate?

Pete

 

[900Dave]

Air hose and just a real quick shot ads about 8 to 10 lbs. I usually keep it at around 42 to 45. 2 up all the time and never bottom out. I am just under 200 and the wife is well, lets just say a bit less than me.

 

[I-Day]

I use the air pump from LaMonster and it works great! I run it up to 60psi and by the time I get it off I'm at 55psi!

 

[Highwayman2013]

We keep 40 psi in our F3L, I use a progressive suspension hand pump. Just to note it's not an air shock. There is a shock and a separate air bag.

 

[Sarge707]

I use my slime air compressor from the trunk and hit it for a second or two and just add 12-15 pounds for my 210 pound body and its fine.

There was a bulletin that states they do lose air as they sit for a few days so don't think its broke?

 

[AeroPilot]

Use a portable air tank...

I usually use the portable air tank. Doesn't take much volume and no danger of over pressuring if you start with 50 to 60 psi in the tank. Worked well on the RT's and F3 air bags, and lowered the tank pressure for the 15-20 psi in the Harley air shock. Also works well to balance the front tire air pressures by starting at 20-22 psi in the air tank and go back and forth a couple of times to balance the tire pressure within 0.5 psi as advised by BRP.

 

[jtrobaugh]

Ok stupid question, do all F3T have a rear air shock? And if so where is the input value for it?

Thanks,

jt

 

[AeroPilot]

Valve is under the seat-- twist key towards TOOL Icon

The air valve is under the seat--as well as the tool kit. Twist the key towards the wrench Icon and pull up on the back of the seat to raise and then slip the seat out towards the rear.

 

[jtrobaugh]

The air valve is under the seat--as well as the tool kit. Twist the key towards the wrench Icon and pull up on the back of the seat to raise and then slip the seat out towards the rear.

Ok thanks, I've seen the toolkit under there but never noticed an air valve .

jt

 

[Firefly]

Ok stupid question, do all F3T have a rear air shock? And if so where is the input value for it?

Thanks,

jt

None of the F3T's (or any Spyder for that matter) comes with an air shock.
It's a regular shock with an air 'pillow' device.

 

[jtrobaugh]

None of the F3T's (or any Spyder for that matter) comes with an air shock.
It's a regular shock with an air 'pillow' device.

Gotcha, I understand....I just never knew it existed, but now I do see the valve. Guess I'll be checking my pressure when I get home today. I haven't had any complaints about the ride so I'm guessing its all good

jt

 

[jcthorne]

Gotcha, I understand....I just never knew it existed, but now I do see the valve. Guess I'll be checking my pressure when I get home today. I haven't had any complaints about the ride so I'm guessing its all good

jt

If you have never checked it, I am betting its empty. I have lost count of how many have come into my shop like that. Dealers do not fill them at initial set up and many customers do not read the owners manual. Its actually on my check list for alignments now.

If it is empty, adding the correct air pressure will make for a much better ride.

 

[eddieshep999]

On my 2015 RT SE6 I only went with the base model So no on board compressor only manual adjustment via the valve under the seat
To avoid over inflating it I use a Fox high pressure hand pump

http://www.jensonusa.com/Fox-Shox-High-Pressure-Shock-Pump

​

It's also available via e bay, Amazon etc

 

[Peteoz]

If you have never checked it, I am betting its empty. I have lost count of how many have come into my shop like that. Dealers do not fill them at initial set up and many customers do not read the owners manual. Its actually on my check list for alignments now.

If it is empty, adding the correct air pressure will make for a much better ride.

You wonder how many "dealers" don't read the owners manual either, JC. Before I picked my F3-L up, I asked the salesman to set the rear for a 300lb rider. When I sat on it at pickup, I "bottomed out" (so to speak). The sales guy got his air gauge out and there was zero air in the rear, even though his setup notes to the workshop showed my 300lb request. Lucky I checked on here first or I would have had a very unimpressive 3 hour trip home. :shocked:

Pete

 

[JayBros]

When adding air to the shock, is it best to use a hand pump of some kind or can one just use regular air line and give it a quick shot of air til you reach that proper pressure? At 200 lbs, what is recommended pressure and if adding a passenger about how much more to add?
Buckskin

Page 51 of the 2016 F3T/Ltd operator's manual shows the suspension pressure label, under your seat, that you should follow when setting the pressure you desire for your ride, with or without passenger and cargo.

 

[jtrobaugh]

Thanks everyone, yep it was 0 psi when I checked it this weekend. I filled it to the correct amount and took a awesome 285 mile ride through the North Georgia and North Carolina mountains this Saturday. I could feel the difference for sure.

jt

 

[Buckskin]

I recently put a FOBO sensor on my rear shock on the F3T. Set it at 42 psi. Riding two up today I found the pressure zoomed up to 59 psi and set off the alarm for too high a pressure as I had set the baseline to 40 psi. Surprising the action in the air shock is working up and down to the extent that it actually heats up the air thus the pressure goes up. Will have to play with that a little to find an optimum setting.
Buckskin