Front forks?

[Keef]

I have a slow air leak in one of my forks, I would like to know if it is alright to ride with no air in them at all? Since this will keep them even.
Thanks

[dingdong]

Perfectly okay to ride with no air. I can't tell the dif in mine with or without air.

[Keef]

Thanks a mil......, now i can quit worring about it.

[WingAdmin]

Air works as a "preload" to help offset extra load. If you are (ahem) carrying a heavy load on your bike and your forks are bottoming out on bumps or during heavy braking, then you will need to add air (and fix the seals if required).

[Dogsled]

Air works as a "preload" to help offset extra load. If you are (ahem) carrying a heavy load on your bike and your forks are bottoming out on bumps or during heavy braking, then you will need to add air (and fix the seals if required).

Wing Admin;
If the air is leaking thru the seals down where the fork and legs join, wouldn't oil have to be leaking too? I've read this problem several times and don't understand since the air and oil are technically in the same chamber. Wouldn't the air bleed-off more likley be leaking at the top of the trees?

[Keef]

Yea thats got me wondering too, there is no sign of oil any where...........

[Midas]

Just a thought, you could check the little needle valve inside the valve stem where you add air. I had a leak in a tire once and the needle valve inside the valve stem was either loose or defective (can't remember which). Hope this helps as it would be an easy fix.

[Keef]

Thanks, will check today........

[Dogsled]

Just a thought, you could check the little needle valve inside the valve stem where you add air. I had a leak in a tire once and the needle valve inside the valve stem was either loose or defective (can't remember which). Hope this helps as it would be an easy fix.

Midas, I put metal caps over the valve where the needle hole is, that's why the top is threaded. So if he had a cap there that had a rubber seal in it. I'm pretty sure the top fork nut that holds the spring down has an O-ring in it that could leak, could one of those nuts or even the air filler be loose. Is there an o-ring on the air filler or should it be removed and teflon taped? Not to many things that can be leaking. Hope somebody here knows about the air/oil leak possibilty at the leg.

[Keef]

Thanks Midas,,,,,,it was the needle valve.
Thanks every one 4 imput!

[Dogsled]

Keef, thanks for telling us what the problem was........it goes into my wtf road manual.....

[Midas]

Keef,

So glad that I was able to help.
Not being much of a wrench, I don't get the opportunity that often.
Enjoy your ride.

Midas