250r forks

[paulsm]

Hi guys , I recently replaced the fork seals on my 250r and drained and replaced the fork oil but when I tried to pressurise them to about 7psi it read on the low pressure tyre guage but when I rechecked them it read 0.It seems as though they are losing pressure, or is it cos they only have a little air capacity that when rechecking I release the pressure? Also what keeps the air pressure in? is it the fork seals?

[Mr. Sandman]

Yes & yes.

[paulsm]

So whats the best way to check the pressure?

[Mr. Sandman]

I've seen kits that allow you to add air equally at the same time via two hose attachments. I don't know for sure, but it may have a built in gauge on it as well. You can always run 0 air and use a heavier oil for the about the same result.

[paulsm]

Was thinking that but just wanted cofirmation that it would work.
Cheers

[J La]

You're not supposed to put air in the forks, it will blow the seals. The air valve is for bleeding the air. You're suspension builds pressure as you ride. If you want a stiffer ride, try a little more oil or a heavier oil.

[Mr. Sandman]

WRONG!!! The following is taken right off a 1985 250R brochure
Suspension, Front: 39mm air adjustable forks, 9.8-inch travel

[J La]

That is pretty cool then. Every thing I have ever read about forks leads you to believe what I said earlier. :beer

[Mr. Sandman]

You can and will blow the seals if you over pressurize them or over fill them with oil. :beer

[atczack]

J La,

Man I have alway's heard the same thing you said, the valve on top of the forks are for releasing built up psi. But then again, I've never read one way or the other in writing. :Bounce

[deathman53]

I put 2 pounds in my 250r forks and at the end of the day, one had blown fork seals, so, I'll do that again

[vartiak15]

that air thing it to let air out only. not to let air in. it says it in my manual!

[Mr. Sandman]

Ok boys & girls, everyone take out their 1985 Honda ATC 250R Owners Manuals and turn to page 20. Mr. Vartiak15, will you please read from the top of the page.

"uhh, derrr, that air thing it to let air out only. not to let air in. it says it in my manual!

(laughter)

Settle down boys & girls. I think you have the wrong manual Mr. Vartiak15. I expect you to be better prepared next time. Here, let me read.

Front Suspension

The front suspension system uses air assisted front forks. The forks may be adjusted for the riders weight and riding conditions by adjusting the air pressure.

Air Pressure Adjustment
Low air pressure settings provide a soft ride and are for light loads and smooth riding conditions. High air pressure settings provide a firm ride and are for heavy loads and rough riding conditons.

Note* Use of more than 10 psi is not recommended because fork action becomes very stiff and oil seal damage may occur.

[OldSchoolin86]

Every set of forks I've had I've set to 0. Block it off the ground so the front isn't touching, let the air balance to 0 using the air valves and presto, you have what I call the perfect set-up. IMO, you should use oil and different spring weights to change handling, not air. I don't really agree with Honda on that one.

[skippy]

i agree.. no air pressure, just use different oil weights to vary your forks..

[Mr. Sandman]

It's not whether anyone agrees with the fact that Honda made the forks to be air adjustable or not.

The point is that the valve stem is NOT to release built up pressure after riding as others said.

Personally, I don't use air either, but the question was asked and I prefer to provide the correct information rather than throwing an answer out there with misinformation just to drive up my post count.

[86250RZ]

I have never heard of anyone adding 7 to 10 pounds of air to the front forks. If someone did add that much air the front suspension would be like solid struts untill the seals blew. I looked it up in my OFFICIAL HONDA SHOP MANUAL and it states on page 10 section 20 i.e. 10-20 O-1psi and thats all I have ever put in my forks for 20+ years and without any problems. Nowhere in this manual does it state to ever exceed 1psi.

[nate b]

if it is a sealed system, how could the forks build pressure by themselves?

[HRC1]

I have a old dirtwheels article stating that curtis sparks used to run stock forks with 10 lbs of air in them. I tried 3 lbs iin my 85" 250r and smoked a seal, but they were original 18 yr old seals also.

[xomatosis]

This is good information, but I'm 230 pounds and the 0 psi in my front forks offers no support and bottoms out sometimes...

[RideRed250R]

dear lord!

Sandman is right dudes, look in owners manuals and service manuals the front forks are to be run with air. I DONT, because they blow seals and 7psi isnt much different then 0 psi, I run a heavier oil and my forks run better then many who have had them "valved".

[vintagemotorsports]

if you look at most honda specs for baseline pressure settings it is 0 or maybe 1-2 psi , I have been around these long enough to know you never pressurize the forks gaurentee you will blow a seal if you raise the machine off the ground so the front wheels are hanging on the front forks pulling them down you use the schrader valve to bleed off any air in the system this will be your baseline of 0 once you put the weight of the machine on the ground it will pressurize the forks to the correct setting usually 1-2 psi that it no more , if your a big guy and bottom out alot get stiffer spring and thicken your oil up thats you only fix , you should never have to put an air chuck to your forks ever