Fork Air?

Hey all,

I'm reinstalling my forks on my 84 Vf700 and I can see the Schrader valve to fill the left fork with 6 psi but how do you get air into the right fork?
Unless it doesn't use it because of the damping adjuster?

The bike is missing the air line at the joints, am I correct in assuming that the air joint covers the small orifices in the top of the tubes?

Oy...

Thanks

-Sean

 

If I were you I would only use that to bleed the air out.

 

Should have been more clear, I changed the fork oil and the manual says "fill fork tubes with air" do they just fill on their own eventually or what?

 

No, but common practice now is to just leave them at zero p.s.i.. It is hard on the fork seals to fill them up. The pressure also changes with temperature. Air in fork tubes has fallen out of favor on street bikes. I heard that if you want a stiffer ride to try adding a preload spacer, or change the oil to a heavier grade, or add some more oil. The latter ideas would affect the damping more than the stiffness though. Also, do NOT use an air compressor to fill the fork tubes, as they only need a very small amount of air to raise the pressure. A bicycle pump would be best.

 

Thank you, that is most helpful!

 

My 82 v45 sabre NEEDED air in the forks. Without air I bottomed the suspension out way too easily. This was with 10 or 15w weight oil in the forks.

 

Unless you have a special device it's hard to measure 2-3-4 psi. Your standard tire gauge is useless for that. If you do try some air, the nicer ride is noticable, but usually the seals start weeping.

 

For $10 or so you can buy an air pressure guage that reads from 1 to 20 lbs. or so.

 

I would try riding it for a while and then notice how much air pressure actually builds up on its own. I would guess it will be way more than 6psi.

 

I checked the fiche on your forks and I believe without the air joint connecting the two forks it won't hold air anyway. And with the joint you would be able to add or subtract air from the one valve and it would equalize between the two forks. If you push up and down on the forks do you hear air coming out? But in no way would I add air to just one fork even if somehow it would hold it.

 

If you are going to bleed the excess air from your forks, do it with the front wheel off the ground.






.

 

Thank you all for the response.

I'll have to ride it more and tell you about the results, of course that might be a while...

 

Looks like a nice set up you have there for your work area. I had some time between jobs a few years ago and built my garage up real nice for working on bikes. I made a workstsand that's about 16" off the ground but my Christmas wish list has a hydraulic stand on it. Good luck on your project

 

That is exactly the place I'm in right now, It's the best way to stay busy.
Of course it makes it tough when you have to replace parts on a 30 year old motorcycle with no cashish!

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

I would go crazy without my shop. The next house we buy I will have a flat screen tv and. Couch put in it so my wife will hang out with me a little more. Well on second thought maybe just the flat screen running a continuous moto gp videos.

 

I see this turning into a "Man Cave" thread.......

Yep and I believe that we are overdue for one O them anyway LOL.

OP

Sorry to hear that you are between occupations, at least that is what I read between the lines. Hopefully Santa will bring you and yours good fortune in the new year!
Look after that classic beast and keep us posted on your progress.

 

MANCAVE!!! +1

I've been trying to lure my wife out there, but she just doesn't seem interested in rebuilding a carburetor for me! I need to steal her sewing machine and chain it to the wall or something...

Yep, between jobs but I need to recuperate anyway. I've got my therapy bike to get me through.

Next step get the frame sandblasted so I can paint it. I'm toying with the idea of another color, something like a flat blue, opinions?

 

Rainman is my inspiration (except for the oil-mod)

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/37283-mission-vf-750f-2012-restore.html

 

Classic black for the frame is my vote.

 

Classic black for the frame is my vote. Silver is very good also