03 colours

[aumccrd1]

just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ?

[B_NEMETH]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "aumccrd1" wrote:

> just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ?

Zero is ok, the forks are not designed to be pressurized. You can stiffen them up by increasing the length of the spacers in the front forks, but for best results install a set of LR Progresive fork springs, it will also eliminate the front end dive.

[Devon Jarvis]

Air makes the fork seals stick a little more. But, it does work. The best thing is Progressive fork springs. In the meanwhile, you can raise the fork oil level. The right way is to remove the fork caps and measure the level with the springs out and the fork bottomed. This is as much work as installing the new springs. The temporary shortcut is to add oil by unscrewing the schraeder valves on the fork caps, and adding oil with an oral syringe. 7cc of oil roughly equals 10mm of oil level inside the fork. Add oil in 10mm increments, test riding after each addition. Refit the valves before riding of course. There is no guarantee that the factory put decent oil in, or put the same amount in each fork, or put in the specified amount. If you overfill the forks you will blow out the seals when you bottom the fork. This is extremely messy, and dangerous if you need to stop right afterwards (and you've coated your brake rotor in fork oil) but not too expensive to fix. Devon A15 (2001) aumccrd1 wrote:

> > just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ? >

[dooden]

Without wanting to start a fight here... My dealers mech, added 10 psi to mine when he replaced the air valve that was cross threaded for the factory. It did seem to ride better to me, I have recently let out all the air and the ride feels spongey again. Look at the little sticker at the back of the fork. I think I will be adding 10psi back to the forks soon, just to try. Duden

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "aumccrd1" wrote: > just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ?

[c.mackarness]

Ambient, zero it out at your riding altitude. The forks indicate something equal to about 12psi if I remember right, but you can far pass that figure if you zero them out at sea level and ride up to altitude (5~7k feet) and heat up the fork air riding on a washboard. If your forks were zeroed out at altitude and then taken to sea level you will actually have a vacuum in there, causing a bottom out very easily. Rev. Chuck :^)>+

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "aumccrd1" wrote: > just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ?

[Devon Jarvis]

The air valves are nice if you have to trailer the bike and need to strap down the front end very hard. Tighten the straps, let the air out, tighten them again, let it out again etc. This way you'll have no air pressure even with the forks bottomed, the bike sits lower AND it doesn't strain the fork seals. Bottoming the forks then letting out the air is a trick used in flattrack racing, in certain classes where you are forbidden to mechanically limit the stock suspension travel. The vacuum keeps the forks down low, apparently better for that type of racing. Devon "c.mackarness" wrote:

> > Ambient, zero it out at your riding altitude. The forks indicate > something equal to about 12psi if I remember right, but you can far > pass that figure if you zero them out at sea level and ride up to > altitude (5~7k feet) and heat up the fork air riding on a washboard. > > If your forks were zeroed out at altitude and then taken to sea level > you will actually have a vacuum in there, causing a bottom out very > easily. > > Rev. Chuck > :^)>+ > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "aumccrd1" wrote: > > just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been > > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ? >

[John Lyon]

Your dealer is right! You can replace the stock fork springs with Progressive Suspension Larry Roeseler Fork Springs ($85) and replace the stock fork/fish oil with some good fork oil to improve the front end. Call Fred at Arrowhead Motorsports, he has what you need. www.arrowheadmotorsports.com John --- aumccrd1 wrote:

> just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front > shocks - been > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ?

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[pdstreeter@mmm.com]

I just bought an '88 KLR 650, should I be running air pressure in the forks? I have a shop manual, but no owners manual. Could I install a preload spacer instead? Paul Streeter Shoreview, MN

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "aumccrd1" wrote: > just bought 2002 and dealer said zero air in front shocks - been > bottoming them out - how much psi is ok ? Zero is ok, the forks are not designed to be pressurized. You can stiffen them up by increasing the length of the spacers in the front forks, but for best results install a set of LR Progresive fork springs, it will also eliminate

[RM]

On Wed, 17 Apr 2002 pdstreeter@... wrote:

>I just bought an '88 KLR 650, should I be running air pressure in the >forks? I have a shop manual, but no owners manual. Could I install a >preload spacer instead?

Adding front preload is an often-overlooked way to improve the front suspension somewhat, especially if you weigh more than 170 or so. No substitute for aftermarket springs, but still an improvement. RM

[Charles_Flordia]

Hello...all...I just read a posting and saw the following comment, "I removed all the air from the front shock.." Excuse me for being so slow to notice but: 1) There is air in the front shocks? 2) Why remove it? 3) How do u do it? Thanks in advance.... Charles Tallahassee, FL A-15