how much pressure to put into a shock recharge?

[JasonB]

my shock for my 250r is sitting up at a shop right now, I dont know how much pressure needs to be put into it though.

Whats the average? I am 220 lbs, I dont know what to suggest. They say like 100 psi or something, but I want to give them a number to fill it to. Any answers here?! Thanks

Jason

[ATCT]

let me check the manual. I think I have it here at work.

[JasonB]

ya I have one in the garage now that I think of it.... shoulda just checked it first, but I figure people on here have more real world experience with different pressures and so on.

the bikes mostly just going to see dune and drag action, no trails for this one!

[ATCT]

Here is what the Honda 1984 manual says (should be the same for an '83, I believe):

FRONT SUSPENSION
"Check and adjust air presure when the fork tubes are cold and with the front wheel off the ground, for accurate pressure readings.

2. Remove the air valve caps and check the air pressure with a pressure gauge.
Standard air pressure: 0 psi. Depress the valve core to decrease air pressure.

3. If air pressure is insufficient, add air with a bicycle air pump.

NOTE: Use of more than 10 psi (70 kPa, 0.7 kg/cm2) is not recommended because fork action becomes very stiff."

[ATCT]

If you are talking about the rear shock absorber damper body, here's what it says:

"The rear shock absorber damper body contains pressurized nitrogen gas at 285 psi (2,000 kPa, 20 kg/cm2)"

[BigReds Forever]

ya, i hope your filling that thing with nitrogen... compressed air wont work... the shop doing the refilling should know what pressure to use if you give them the model, weight, and your weight

[jason 32]

it doesn't go by your weight- is the bladder still good?
the shops i talked to say 150- nitro
but the factory is like 280? 28??? something, spring weight is for your weight
nitrogen doesn't fade like air,and keeps oil cooler longer in shocks with out bladders

[Huffa]

Did you have the shock oil changed too ?

[HEAD09]

just wondering... how do they fill it up...

[JasonB]

The shop didnt know off hand so I said I would call it in and tell them. The shock is still good, I just emptied the oil and didnt touch the remote cannister that holds the nitrogen. just want it recharged. 280 sounds like alot, hmmm.

I think I might just average out both numbers and tell them to fill it to 200 just so I dont over/under do it. Dont want to break something before the big lil sahara ride next week!

any other comments are welcome here! I need more input, never done this before

[Rustytinhorn]

Dont they use nitrogen because the temperature and pressure doesnt fluxuate as much? I'm thinkin how they use nitrogen in the Nascar tires.

[Rustytinhorn]

I know yours is an '83, but just FYI, the 1986 250r nitrogen shock pressure is between 284-327 p.s.i.

[ATC-Eric]

Dont they use nitrogen because the temperature and pressure doesnt fluxuate as much? I'm thinkin how they use nitrogen in the Nascar tires.


Yes they do charge it with nitrogen.




On a side note, I think stock for the Tri-Z is 160-180! Thats a big difference.

[Huffa]

For the 83 R it's 284 PSI. I have the shop manual.

[sblt500r]

only one problem with charging an old shock and not changing the seals. the seals can be weak and may blow with all that new pressure. i've had it happen to me!

[JasonB]

only one problem with charging an old shock and not changing the seals. the seals can be weak and may blow with all that new pressure. i've had it happen to me!

ya that was one of my concerns! I dont want to overload a part that I need to have working next week! I only has to last for a 4 day ride in the dunes, after that its being rebuilt while the bike is torn down again to be powder coated and shined up

[SWIGIN]

the pressure isnt realy that big of a deal as long as there is some in there...... most aftermarket shocks only use 160-220 psi

and we all know that PEP used honda bottles so id just go with 160-220

and iv seen plenty of bladders blow at those presures on fill up.... they are old dont over fill it