Bart
Active Member
On my last trip I felt the back end was becoming even softer and a bit lower, also a post in the "re spring shock thread" saying that someones gas pressure was low caught my eye so I ordered a £10 nitrogen needle from flea bay and with a MTB shock pump measured the pressure. It was approximately half what it should be at 85psi !!!
For back ground.
The bike has never had a pillion, I weigh 84kg kitted up, the most luggage I carry on a trip is just two Pelican cases and a tank bag. The bike was new(a pre reg/leftover) in March this year and now has almost 12k, most of which has been done with the luggage. So the bike has not been heavily loaded at any time and mainly used on road. I usually use one helmet and luggage or two helmets.
As a reference I also checked a Ohlins shock on my old Fireblade, it has been on the bike for 15 years and 50k miles....the pressure was 165psi, so the pressure gauge was there or there abouts in my book.
I pumped up the shock to 165psi and checked the bike sag, it increased 8mm but have not had the time to ride it yet. I'm just wondering what has escaped from the shock, gas or oil ???? Have not seen any oil but have only just started looking for it. I also don't want to get into the pros and cons of using air in the shock, this subject has been discussed at very great length on other forums and my solution is only temporary.
I know there are many guys on here heavier than myself and carry more luggage so it my be worth checking your gas pressure.
Maybe because the shock spring is weak the shock tends to operate near its fully compressed size a lot of the time, thus increasing the pressure in the shock, and either some gas and/or oil has escaped.
For back ground.
The bike has never had a pillion, I weigh 84kg kitted up, the most luggage I carry on a trip is just two Pelican cases and a tank bag. The bike was new(a pre reg/leftover) in March this year and now has almost 12k, most of which has been done with the luggage. So the bike has not been heavily loaded at any time and mainly used on road. I usually use one helmet and luggage or two helmets.
As a reference I also checked a Ohlins shock on my old Fireblade, it has been on the bike for 15 years and 50k miles....the pressure was 165psi, so the pressure gauge was there or there abouts in my book.
I pumped up the shock to 165psi and checked the bike sag, it increased 8mm but have not had the time to ride it yet. I'm just wondering what has escaped from the shock, gas or oil ???? Have not seen any oil but have only just started looking for it. I also don't want to get into the pros and cons of using air in the shock, this subject has been discussed at very great length on other forums and my solution is only temporary.
I know there are many guys on here heavier than myself and carry more luggage so it my be worth checking your gas pressure.
Maybe because the shock spring is weak the shock tends to operate near its fully compressed size a lot of the time, thus increasing the pressure in the shock, and either some gas and/or oil has escaped.