Air in the forks

[babylon9484]

Hi Everyone: Question about air in the forks. I went to service the bike the other day and checked the air in forks. Next to none. tried to put air in with a compressor, carefully. It wouldn't stay in. Checked with a mechanic and it seems newer bikes don't have this. He suggested the forum. Is this really an non issues and should I just make sure the oil is good. My seals on the shocks were new when I bought the bike.

Thanks.

[Billy Ricks]

Hi Everyone: Question about air in the forks. I went to service the bike the other day and checked the air in forks. Next to none. tried to put air in with a compressor, carefully. It wouldn't stay in. Checked with a mechanic and it seems newer bikes don't have this. He suggested the forum. Is this really an non issues and should I just make sure the oil is good. My seals on the shocks were new when I bought the bike.

Thanks.

Most of them didn't hold air for long even new. If I were you I'd forget about the air and get the sag set up for your weight. Sag is the difference in the length of the fork fully extended with the wheel off the ground and the length with both wheels on the ground and your weight in the seat. For a plush ride shoot for about an inch and a half of difference, for a firm ride that will be good on backroads shoot for an inch. You adjust the sag with PVC spacers on top of the springs with a fender washer between the spring and the PVC. Use whatever size PVC is closest to the id of the forks. Set the sag of the rear to match the front by using the preload adjusters on the shocks. And change the oil in the forks, you wouldn't believe how dirty it gets.

[zuki1000]

If your 100% sure the seals arent leaking check the valves themselves. They may not be tightened properly, the O rings could be shot, or the valve stems are leaking. And as billy said make sure your sag is set properly, I am 6'6" 320 lbs and am running 1 1/2 spacers and 17 lbs of air in order to get the 1" sag that I like with the squishy original GS front springs.

[babylon9484]

Thanks for the prompt response. I'm going to check into that ASAP.

[Rover]

I decided not to use air in my forks because if one of them leaks you may have an unstable situation.Otherwise you will be needing to check them frequently.
Just a thought.