How Important is the Fork Joint Hose?

[Guest]

I recently removed my front forks for rebuild, and after going over a few diagrams, I realized that the joint hose is missing! #20 in the schematic,
How important is this hose? the previous owner obviously rode without it. Thank you in advance.

[Nessism]

The hose, or some plugs to seal the holes in the fork tubes, are important if you are going to run air pressure in the forks. Suzuki set up the spring rates on the soft side because air pressure was to be used as a supplemental spring. A lot of riders got sick of having to add air so they went to a high spring rate via Progressive Suspension or Sonic fork springs, which makes it unnecessary to add air. A very nice upgrade in my opinion.

[Steve]

Even if you run "proper" springs and no additional air, you need something to plug those holes, or you will soon have fork oil ALL OVER your bike.

Don't bother asking me how I know, I am sure you can guess.

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[mmattockx]

Even if you run "proper" springs and no additional air, you need something to plug those holes, or you will soon have fork oil ALL OVER your bike.

Don't bother asking me how I know, I am sure you can guess.

.

Those holes also need to be plugged so the forks get the spring assist due to the air pressure rise as the forks compress. You would need very stiff springs to avoid bottoming under braking or big bumps without the air spring assist.


Mark

[Rob S.]

My hose is split in the middle from a crash two years ago, don't believe any oil has come out of there. Fork springs were replaced with straight-rate.

I have the new part; my plan is to fix it and run maybe ten pounds of air. Make use of the expensive fork air pump I bought. Don't even think of using a standard air compressor.

[Cipher]

regardless of oil escaping you would still draw in atmospheric dirt.
Thos holes need ot be sealed so if you hose is trashed look into some means of plugging the part that shrouds the stanchion.