Air Assited Fork!

I noticed on my 1982 Maxim XJ 750, I noticed that I have air assisted forks! There is a part on the for where you can put in pressure! Does anyone know how much pressure should be in the forks? I think it's pretty cool!

Thanks,
Gato

 

17.2 psi I think max. Think 4-5 is stock. I have mine at 8 psi so I don't blow out the seals. I have the antidive too.

 

up toward the top of the fork is a regular tire air valve. Haynes says standard is 5.7 max is 36 but I don't think anyone would recommend going over 10 or you are risking your fork oil seals. If you are filling with a standard compressor turn the pressure down at the regulator to what you want in the bike as even a quick pop of air from a full pressure tank can be too much.

 

Yeah, like Maverick says, use extreme caution when adding air as to not blow out the fork seals. Use an air pressure gauge with a bleeder valve to get both forks at the exact same PSI.

 

I run with 13-14PSI for the type of driving I do. Use hand pump (bicycle) only! You can run 17 PSI max no problem with the seals.

 

you need to check the pressure after a day or two, because if one side leaks the pressure out you could get into all sorts of funky handling problems. some of them are linked so if they leak they stay equal

 

Polock, there is a balance hose that connects the forks, so if one side has a leak the both lose pressure.

 

Ahhh I see! actually pretty nervous to fill them! I do lots of long distance, and somethimes have extra gear, but never a passanger! And I will use a bike pump! It barely moves the pressure gauge, so I may not put any in!

In some cases, "if it's not broke, don't fix it"

 

hi elGato, my 750 seca feels better with about 5 psi in th forks, me and a light load and i'd say i'm about your shape, if it's 0 pressure th difference isn't big, it's just an improvement with more. If you're carrying a load th best improvement would be shockers i reckon.

 

Don't be nervous using a hand pump. The main thing is, don't overshoot too much past 17 PSI and you'll be fine. The other thing you'll notice, each time you check the pressure with a gauge, you'll loose a couple PSI. There's not that much volume inside the tubes for air so that's why you don't want to use a compressor. I've never blown the seals on mine with a hand pump...

 

Well that sounds good! It's not that there is no pressure, just not enough for my tire pressure gauge to read! I'll have to get a little better one!

 

Make sure your hand pump has a tight seal on the Schrader valve and drive the air in with some force. The thing to remember here is that you have a small air space and it doesn't expand like an inner tube. Also, get a gauge for lower pressures ie. 0-30 PSI for best measurement results. The problem with some gauges is reading accurately below 20 PSI. Check pressure frequently while pumping to avoid over filling.

 

I used the inline regulator I have for my paint gun to set my regular compressor down to the pressure I wanted then just filled them up. A lot easier than pumping and testing especially if you have 2 air valves instead of the connected setup.

 

Yeah, I have the connected setup on mine! I just need to get an accurate pressure gauge!

I have a hand pump too! It's funny how much there is to learn about these bikes! (and they are simple compared to some bikes of today!)

 

is there also a spring inside? or is it strictly air?

 

Yes, there is a spring inside.