Air Compressed Forks?!

TP13
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TP13
Edited Date/Time 6/8/2012 10:04am
I don't know how much you guys have seen of the new 2013 CRF450R or know about KYB's new PSF forks that are featured on the bike, but it totally lacks springs. They are air compressed and can be adjusted by using a bicycle pump.



What do you guys think?
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BAMX
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BAMX 6/2/2012 6:49pm
6/2/2012 6:49pm
My only hesitation are that they are new and probably still need some development. Also that air expands a lot with temperature so I'm not sure how the forks compensate for a summer day that goes from high 60's to 100.
xnationalwrench 6/2/2012 8:12pm
6/2/2012 8:12pm
BAMX wrote:
My only hesitation are that they are new and probably still need some development. Also that air expands a lot with temperature so I'm not sure...
My only hesitation are that they are new and probably still need some development. Also that air expands a lot with temperature so I'm not sure how the forks compensate for a summer day that goes from high 60's to 100.
They aren't really "Air Forks", you need to use Nitrogen in them to work properly.
BAMX
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BAMX 6/2/2012 9:24pm
6/2/2012 9:24pm
xnationalwrench wrote:
They aren't really "Air Forks", you need to use Nitrogen in them to work properly.
I figured thatis what they meant. However, they are billing them as "air forks" not "nitrogen forks. I guess we are all going to be buying nitrogen tanks regulators and special filling tools. I already miss my springs.
floridaflash
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floridaflash 6/3/2012 7:53am
6/3/2012 7:53am
we did that back in the 70's

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lumpy790
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lumpy790 6/3/2012 12:30pm
6/3/2012 12:30pm
floridaflash wrote:
we did that back in the 70's
yep .... and Kawasakis are coming with them too
MOTODAD422
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MOTODAD422 6/5/2012 9:11pm
6/5/2012 9:11pm
BAMX wrote:
My only hesitation are that they are new and probably still need some development. Also that air expands a lot with temperature so I'm not sure...
My only hesitation are that they are new and probably still need some development. Also that air expands a lot with temperature so I'm not sure how the forks compensate for a summer day that goes from high 60's to 100.
xnationalwrench wrote:
They aren't really "Air Forks", you need to use Nitrogen in them to work properly.
Bicycle air pump is what they advertise to use , so i guess no nitrogen, ,but you think it would work better. Base line pressure was said to be 33 ftlbs
xnationalwrench 6/5/2012 10:46pm
6/5/2012 10:46pm Edited Date/Time 6/5/2012 11:15pm
In an interview Jim Bacon, aka "Bones" was talking about the Kawasaki forks and recommended Nitrogen in the forks. Since air is a composite, you might get different feel with different temp's and even different expansion with air over nitrogen (thats why you use nitrogen in Fox Air Shoxs).
rmpilot
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rmpilot 6/6/2012 8:35am
6/6/2012 8:35am
so my 84 yz 490 is high tech again? its got schrader valves for air.....
BAMX
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BAMX 6/6/2012 10:43am
6/6/2012 10:43am
xnationalwrench wrote:
In an interview Jim Bacon, aka "Bones" was talking about the Kawasaki forks and recommended Nitrogen in the forks. Since air is a composite, you might...
In an interview Jim Bacon, aka "Bones" was talking about the Kawasaki forks and recommended Nitrogen in the forks. Since air is a composite, you might get different feel with different temp's and even different expansion with air over nitrogen (thats why you use nitrogen in Fox Air Shoxs).
Compressed air will be a problem for sure. I read that 3lb is equal to one spring rate. You would easily see a 2-3lb swing from morning to mid day. If anyone doesn't believe me then set the air in your tires when you first get to the track in the morning. Then check them mid day. I usually see a 2 lb difference.
xnationalwrench 6/6/2012 4:30pm
6/6/2012 4:30pm
rmpilot wrote:
so my 84 yz 490 is high tech again? its got schrader valves for air.....
Those valves are actually to bleed the air out of the forks on your bike.
TX24
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TX24 6/6/2012 6:17pm
6/6/2012 6:17pm
Xnational, I thought those valves back in the early 80's was to actually put a small amount of air in forks? Unlike modern bleeders of today.
rmpilot
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rmpilot 6/7/2012 7:55am
6/7/2012 7:55am
I Talked to really great mechanic and racer who works with a lot things like this still and he said if im remembering it exactly right that you can add air but its more likely to hurt things inside than to aid performance so just use them to bleed.
grumpy171
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grumpy171 6/8/2012 9:51am
6/8/2012 9:51am
What happens when you blow a fork seal ?
scooter5002
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scooter5002 6/8/2012 10:04am
6/8/2012 10:04am
grumpy171 wrote:
What happens when you blow a fork seal ?
Well if you are actually riding at the time, you will likely "Stewart". As in totally eat shit on the landing. HOWEVER, with any luck, someone will have crossed the track in the last week, and you will have an alibi. If not, think of something!

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