Air adjusted forks, blown ??

[Volant1006]

Well I had a brain fart and tried to adjust my air forks with an air compressor at a gas station and blew out the seal. The fork will no longer hold air if I try to put it in.

The seals don't seem to be leaking any oil, and the bike doesn't bottom out and rides pretty well (even with a fairing) without the air.

My question is, if I want to add air, do I need to replace the fork seals?? Is there another part that holds the air in the forks, or does the fork seal hold the oil and the air in the forks?

Thanks for any input!

[Pat Kelly]

The same seal seals the oil and the air. If you want to use air you will need to replace the seals. An upgrade would be to go with Progressive fork springs. Though no longer adjustable, you no longer will need the air for additional support. The ride and handleing will also be much improved over the 30 year old straight-wound springs.

[Volant1006]

Thanks

Awesome, Thanks Pat. I think I will look into upgrading the springs rather than messing with the seals.

[cywelchjr]

Awesome, Thanks Pat. I think I will look into upgrading the springs rather than messing with the seals.

You will still need to replace the seals when you do the springs, because if the won't hold air anymore, they WILL leak soon, and you don't want fork oil down on your brake pads, it makes it really really hard to stop. So since you have to get it ALMOST down as far to do the springs as to change the seals, go ahead and do the seals while your in there. Without air behind them, they should last longer too.

[Volant1006]

Thanks for the info.