FORK AIR PUMP

R. J.

R. J.

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:hello: ROCKSHOX forks/shocks hand pump with built in digital gauge that I bought for $45. Max PSI is 300. I've had it for about 5 years. Price $70. It has a no air lost built in valve. When unscrewing it the air that you here is what is in the hose.___________________________IMG_8443.JPG IMG_8444.JPG IMG_8445.JPG Here is one with a dial gauge. Price $30. https://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Press...467118&hash=item3b33932929:g:6PMAAOSwMDpd~CDB . Here is one by FOX. Price $70. https://www.amazon.com/Fox-Racing-S...BZ24SYWXFG8&psc=1&refRID=8Q9VR8Y4ABZ24SYWXFG8
 
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All good gauges and will do the job. Always use a hand pump on the front forks when adding air!
 
My trusty fork pump, lol. I bleed it down to 10-15 and hit both legs.IMG_20200126_100844.jpg
 
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I've always used 100 psi applied for a fraction of a second at at a time which won't add more than a few psi. My old Honda Hawk had a crossover line like the ZX so if sag was correct, exact pressure didn't matter. On the other hand, without a crossover line, pressure has to be measured precisely to get them equal. It's a PITA so that's why they were designed to work at an easily attained 0 psi.
 
:hello: When you use a stand alone gauge ( manual states not to use one) every time you put the gauge on a air valve you let out a few pounds. O PSI is fine for a lone rider. Two up riding or when riding on rough roads manual states to add air. The bike handles better with air added regardless of conditions.
 
I would just use longer spacers in the forks rather than adding air if it doesn't work well at 0 psi and first get the sag where it should be. The ZL600 seems fine at 0. I never checked sag but the forks never bottom.
 
:hello: I installed Progressive springs in my ZL 10 in 2013 along with 2 1/2 inch spacers. Progressive recommended 2 in spacers. I felt the 2 1/2 would be better for 2 up riding.
 
Forks don't really change with a passenger unless you're accelerating and weight is shifted back off the front end or decelerating and weight is shifted onto the front end because passenger weight is almost entirely supported over the rear axle. Adding a trunk or anything behind the rear axle takes weight off the front and adding a fairing or crash/highway bars adds weight there. The smaller ZLs will never see the high stresses as the bigger, heavier and faster ZLs and less likely to see duty as a tourer so it's resonable to have the option to add air to the latter. If it all leaks out, it's not a big deal but the ZX always needs a good amount of positive pressure. Sounded like a good idea at the time but it's a PITA compared to forks designed with screw type preload adjusters to do the same thing.
 
I don't use air, I play with the oil level until I have it where I want it. Air works good for quick changes though
 
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