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Air pressure adjustment - rear shocks

38K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  Rossco  
#1 ·
There must be an existing thread on this somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

I just checked the air pressure on my rear shocks for the first time and both were at 0 psi.

I used a foot pump to get them at 41 psi.

The service manual says, "Do not use tire gauges for checking air pressure. They
may not indicate the correct air pressure because of air leakage that occur when the gauge is applied to the valve." So... what should I use instead? I just used a digital tire gauge I have been using for the bike. Seems like it gets a pretty decent seal, but I do notice that if I check the pressure in the shocks twice in a row, the reading goes down rapidly.

My questions:
What do you use to check the air pressure on your rear shocks?

What psi setting are you using?

Can anyone point me to the dohickythingy that lets you adjust both shocks at the same time (i.e. it helps apply equal pressure to both shocks)?
 
#4 ·
You want a zero loss hand pump about $40. If you hear ANY air leak when you take your gauge off you probably lost all the air you added.
 
#5 ·
pressure

41 PSI is way to high, you are very close to blowing the seals if you haven't allready! :Wow1: 15 to 20 is more the range you want to be.
 
#6 ·
My 4 wheeler came with a low PSI check gage, it was like zero to 20 pounds, that would work much better than the higher PSI gages that we use for automobile tires.
 
#7 ·
Not more than 3 bar (does not know how much it does in US psi)

or you will destroy this ugly things kawa called adjustable shocks)
 
#8 ·
Onigami said:
Not more than 3 bar (does not know how much it does in US psi)

or you will destroy this ugly things kawa called adjustable shocks)
3 Bar is approximately 41.5 PSI!!!!
 
#9 ·
Kawasaki manual states that 71psi is the max for the rear shocks. So, I doubt 41 will blow the seals. What you have to watch out for is even though it says to use a footpump I don't think this is the best way to fill. A footpump can force a lot of air at one time possibly blowing the seals this way. I use a pump designed for air shocks made by Progressive. Cost was about $35.00. Inflates the shocks softly as not to damage the seals, plus has a gauge on it. When I filled the air, the bike was off the ground and filled one side at a time. The progressive pump is highly accurate and you can remove the fitting without losing any air. I have my shocks at 35psi...I weigh 225. I keep the damper on II....when the wife rides, the damper goes to IIII. Makes for a comfortable and well handling ride. Just my .02
 
#10 ·
41 psi that's what they say in the french manual !!!
 
#11 ·
Thanks for all of the feedback. I did read where the service manual indicated a max pressure of 71 psi. Sounds like 41 might be a bit high, but my wife and I went on a ride after I adjusted the shocks and it seemed pretty smooth to me.

Since I am usually the only one on the bike, I may back off the pressure a bit.
 
#12 ·
bicycle shock pump

Do have a mountain bike shock pump? It threads on for a good seal, has a gauge on it and only allows some much air per stroke but they are ver accurate. I got one used for like $5.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Onigami said:
41 psi that's what they say in the french manual !!!
No need to get upset. In the American Kawasaki manual I have here, it states 71 psi as daxamundo confirmed. If your book is stating 3 bars which is equivalent to 43.5 psi (1 bar = 14.5 psi), then that's what it says. I do apologize for telling you something that is different in my manual. But it is what it is. Are you reading from your manual, or from the aftermarket shocks you put on yours?
 
#14 ·
rbbikecol said:
Do have a mountain bike shock pump? It threads on for a good seal, has a gauge on it and only allows some much air per stroke but they are ver accurate. I got one used for like $5.
I have a nice bicycle hand pump somewhere. I might have hid it from myself, so that I would find a new hobby (which seems to have worked!).
 
#16 ·
I weigh in at 96kgs. 211 Lbs. I run Zero pressure in the rear shocks.
But having said that , I also have the damping adjuster set on 111.
Primarily the air pressure in the rear shock absorber is for Pre-Load.ie to provide a force in the shock that will balance or compensate for the load placed upon it , like 2 big people or a whole load of camping gear that would normally cause the bike to sag at the rear .With added air pressure in the shocks , "Pre -Load " is applied and the bike stays at the same ride height once the load placed on it .
Having said that , when I go for a real thrash ,I stiffen up the damping to maximum.
Only very rarely do I ever carry a pillion.
Did I mention that I just love my VZ1600
Regards Rossco