Author Topic: Air solution  (Read 777 times)

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Offline 70CB750

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Air solution
« on: November 11, 2022, 04:16:44 AM »
Is anybody carrying some kind of an air source on the bike?  The main reason I am thinking about it is to be able to top up forks on the 900.  I learned in my bicycle days that hand air pumps are just chinese crap that brakes within few uses.

I remember adapter for engine cylinder but while it's clever solution, I dont want to go that route.

Thoughts?
« Last Edit: November 11, 2022, 04:18:54 AM by 70CB750 »
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2022, 05:19:06 AM »
Last time I did this was on my Gl1000. Any compressor generates too much pressure and volume. A hand pump is best. There was a good bicycle shop near where I lived and they sold me an excellent pump. So small, it fit in the map/tool tray on the ‘wing. The bike is long gone but I still use the pump.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2022, 05:39:09 AM »
Last time I did this was on my Gl1000. Any compressor generates too much pressure and volume. A hand pump is best. There was a good bicycle shop near where I lived and they sold me an excellent pump. So small, it fit in the map/tool tray on the ‘wing. The bike is long gone but I still use the pump.

Thank you, would you know the brand? 
Prokop
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Offline jgger

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2022, 08:46:47 AM »
Check out Jensen USA, my son used to work there ant they sell  good equipment. It is a bicycle place and they have top quality mountian bike stuff.look for shock pump in their search.
https://www.jensonusa.com/sale
« Last Edit: November 11, 2022, 08:55:01 AM by jgger »
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Offline calj737

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2022, 09:42:42 AM »
You could run a hollow-tubed swing arm that is charged with air and tap that intermittently with a portable hose you construct. Then, refill the swingarm as needed with your compressor at the house.

I built a bull bar for a friends truck out of 3” round tube for this exact purpose (inflating/deflating his tires). Works a treat when he shore fishes or camps in the outer banks.
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Offline 70CB750

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2022, 11:09:35 AM »
Check out Jensen USA, my son used to work there ant they sell  good equipment. It is a bicycle place and they have top quality mountian bike stuff.look for shock pump in their search.
https://www.jensonusa.com/sale

Thank you, I will take a look.
Prokop
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Offline 70CB750

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2022, 11:11:22 AM »
You could run a hollow-tubed swing arm that is charged with air and tap that intermittently with a portable hose you construct. Then, refill the swingarm as needed with your compressor at the house.

I built a bull bar for a friends truck out of 3” round tube for this exact purpose (inflating/deflating his tires). Works a treat when he shore fishes or camps in the outer banks.

I am familiar with that concept, I have on board air in my CJ7 - complete with York compressor. 
Prokop
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2022, 02:25:08 PM »
I eliminated the problem by installing adjustable preload fork caps. They make them in a bunch of sizes.
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Online simon#42

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2022, 03:53:21 AM »
i use a low pressure bike pump similar to this , there are some very good quality ones around , make sure the pump screws on to the valve though . the forks hold very little air and it is very easy to loose it all disconnecting the pump

Offline Alan F.

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2022, 05:30:25 AM »
I think the Honda spec is 3 to 11 psi.

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2022, 09:20:35 AM »
I carry and use the old-style remove-a-sparkplug-and-screw-in-the-air-hose gizmo. works fine if you also carry the Honda toolkit. Both will fit under the seat, if you don't also carry the tire irons under there. One of these ends up in my tourpak.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline BomberMann650

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2022, 01:05:43 PM »
Not suspension related but...

In my first tour, i kept a cheap mini 12v compressor under the seat with tire plugs.  Only needed to use it once.
On my second tour, i got a li-ion portable compressor thats also palm sized.  Much more convenient for quick pressure checks ala cold mornings or elevation changes. 
The li-ion almost had a shot at refilling a 200/x0-r18 tire on a broke down travellers bike.  Unfortunately, i had mis  sed plugging a hole.  Having already patched up two of em.  Probably woulda done the job.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2022, 04:16:14 PM »
I eliminated the problem by installing adjustable preload fork caps. They make them in a bunch of sizes.

So you dont use air at all in your forks? 
Prokop
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I love it when parts come together.

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Offline 70CB750

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2022, 04:17:13 PM »
Thank you, guys, for ideas.
Prokop
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2022, 08:10:40 PM »
I eliminated the problem by installing adjustable preload fork caps. They make them in a bunch of sizes.

So you dont use air at all in your forks?

Nope, no air at all. It's easily adjusted in small increments. Many modern bikes come stock with adjustable preload fork caps. There's no downside unless you absolutely have to have everything bone stock.
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Air solution
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2022, 03:07:49 AM »
I eliminated the problem by installing adjustable preload fork caps. They make them in a bunch of sizes.

So you dont use air at all in your forks?

Nope, no air at all. It's easily adjusted in small increments. Many modern bikes come stock with adjustable preload fork caps. There's no downside unless you absolutely have to have everything bone stock.

I like that.  The 900 already has progressive shocks in place of the rear air shocks, tires hold the air well and I have CO2 bomb for emergencies. 
Prokop
_______________
Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650