Air ride front forks

Its a 79 KZ1000 ST box stock. The front forks have an air valve at the top of each fork leg.

About how much air pressure should I run in them. Right now they have 2 and 1/2 pounds. I mostly ride solo.

What do ye think?

Thanks, Bob

I don't know exactly, but it's not "box stock" if it has air caps. I guess you know that. The problem with those air caps is lets say you have 5lbs of pressure, by the time you simply put a guage on there for a split second you'll lose 2 lbs. A complete waste of time really. Get rid of air and go back to the regular setup. If it's too saggy get progressive springs or preload the springs with PVC pipe or similar. The stock ST front forks are superior to any other KZ ever made, so no reason to fool with the stock setup in my opinion. One great motorcycle built strong everywhere you look.

RON: Yep, those forks came with the bike brand new off the show room floor. I got the bike from the original owner.

He says they are the same forks that are on his 1980 KZ1300 which he also bought new. He also has a 1980 KZ750 which has been sitting for 10 years.

I'm not to crazy about those forks either cause you just know they are gonna leak air. Otherwise they seem to work great and really soak up the bumps.

Can I still preload them like regular forks?

Thanks for the reply,
Bob

In trying to work out forks for my project, I spoke to a breaker who seemexcd to think that dealers would offer the air fork caps as an option on the bikes. I have no idea if this accurate or not though.

Air forks are not shown in the parts breakdown for the ST and mine doesn't have them.

Mine also have the air caps on the forks, and I also got mine from the original owner.
Ron

Yep, it might be that it was offered as an option back then.

I guess I'll try a short length of pipe as a spacer to kick the front end up a little. I'm also gonna lower the rear end about and inch and a half.

Other than all that...its box stock.

Thanks again gents,
Bob

Post edited by: Bob_79KZ, at: 2007/06/20 12:33