Mikes XS Fork seals for Special

[mschor]

Can you guys see this pic?

[MaximPhil]

Can you guys see this pic?

Hi mschor,
No picture visible in post.
I would clean up the rust. Loosen everything then
Follow the sequence of steps in the manual for correct alignment of the forks.

Phil

[bikerphil]

Yes, try 15 lb. air in each side, careful if using a compressor, it only takes a split second to fill them. See if the caliper bracket part of the fork on the right side is hitting the rotor, could be the cause of the noise you have. If it is, move the fork on the axle in the direction so it clears.

[mschor]

Air

I just found my manual and it says max. 36psi air pressure in the front forks. Also says make sure to lift the front off the ground before adding/measuring air which makes sense to me

[bikerphil]

Yep, 36 is max pressure for a fully loaded bike and/or a heavy rider. You likely won't need that much, but you never know especially on those bumpy dirt roads.

[mschor]

20psi so far so good, rides great now, hasn't lost much air over the past few weeks

[jetmechmarty]

20psi so far so good, rides great now, hasn't lost much air over the past few weeks

The air seals are the ones under the fork caps. The ones on the lowers are oil.

[mschor]

The air seals are the ones under the fork caps. The ones on the lowers are oil.

Right, I had just heard that these forks don't hold air pressure too well. I knew those fork seals were for oil, but this is the first time I've tried putting air in so I was noticing that they seem to be holding pretty well.

[motoman]

With fork seals in good cond., should hold air just fine. Being a double-lip seal, the bit of air pressure actually holds inner lip of seal tightly against fork slider tube.

[skids]

Just curious,

Because of the amount of air involved in the forks, if you check the schrader valve for pressure, does the puff of air change the pressure much? (I hope you know what I mean...)

[Schming]

Just curious,

Because of the amount of air involved in the forks, if you check the schrader valve for pressure, does the puff of air change the pressure much? (I hope you know what I mean...)

About a pound or so, depends on how long of a "Puff" you take

I'll fine tune mine to 15 psi by filling slightly over and down puffing to satisfaction