Front Fork Air Pressure - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

PAULYBOY · 10-08-2007, 08:12 AM

So, I got my 82 Suzuki GS850 bike back together after giving it a nice flame paint job. Since I'm a big boy, I adjusted the rear shocks to astiffer setting, and noticed the front forks were at zero for the left side and about 10 for the other left side. Anybody have an idea where they should be? I found a tag under the seat for tire size and air pressure, but not the forks.

cracKness · 10-08-2007, 08:50 AM

How many left sides do you have? lol...

According to this website... The GSResources - Gary's Trip to the Smoky Mountains

...with an inch of preload, and 10w fork oil, he was able to keep the air pressure at 5-8psi. Now, that may not be saying much, but it's a start...

PAULYBOY · 10-09-2007, 08:01 AM

So, even to compensate for a 400 lb. load (yes, all me, hence my real nickname of Sumoboy) is it still all right to keep the pressure around 10 p.s.i.?

**Clint** · 10-09-2007, 08:08 AM

I would keep to the upper limits of the suggested range. I think air pressure has more to do with handling performance than load carrying capacity. Use the spring preload for that, and you may have to upgrade springs.

omegajim · 10-09-2007, 09:42 PM

You mean aftermarket, like these?

DennisKirk.com - Metric Bikes - Brakes & Suspension

Me, I weigh 240, the bike squats some, I live with it.

PAULYBOY · 10-10-2007, 02:03 PM

So-do these springs replace factory parts or are they add ons?

**Clint** · 10-10-2007, 02:46 PM

Replacements.

omegajim · 10-11-2007, 01:26 PM

You might want to have somebody whose done these kinds of things before do them. Not necessarily a bike shop, but somebody who rides and is good with threading the nut, under pressure, into the top of the fork.

Me, myself, there are a couple of good mechs in the area, and I wouldn't bother with it.

10-08-2007, 08:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
PAULYBOY Newbie Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 12	Front Fork Air Pressure So, I got my 82 Suzuki GS850 bike back together after giving it a nice flame paint job. Since I'm a big boy, I adjusted the rear shocks to astiffer setting, and noticed the front forks were at zero for the left side and about 10 for the other left side. Anybody have an idea where they should be? I found a tag under the seat for tire size and air pressure, but not the forks.

10-09-2007, 09:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,526	You mean aftermarket, like these? DennisKirk.com - Metric Bikes - Brakes & Suspension Me, I weigh 240, the bike squats some, I live with it. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

10-11-2007, 01:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,526	You might want to have somebody whose done these kinds of things before do them. Not necessarily a bike shop, but somebody who rides and is good with threading the nut, under pressure, into the top of the fork. Me, myself, there are a couple of good mechs in the area, and I wouldn't bother with it. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

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10-08-2007, 08:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
cracKness In Training Joined: Feb 2004 Bike: 1995 Suzuki RF900r Location: So. FLA Posts: 110	How many left sides do you have? lol... According to this website... The GSResources - Gary's Trip to the Smoky Mountains ...with an inch of preload, and 10w fork oil, he was able to keep the air pressure at 5-8psi. Now, that may not be saying much, but it's a start...

10-09-2007, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
PAULYBOY Newbie Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 12	So, even to compensate for a 400 lb. load (yes, all me, hence my real nickname of Sumoboy) is it still all right to keep the pressure around 10 p.s.i.?

10-10-2007, 02:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
PAULYBOY Newbie Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 12	So-do these springs replace factory parts or are they add ons?

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