air assisted forks..

Im sure this has been a topic before but here it is again. i have a 1981/82 kz1100 with the air assisted forks and shocks on the rear.. the rears are fine but the forks always seem to leak the air out of them.. the seals are possibly bad and need to be replaced as well as new fork oil.. is there anyway i could put a small tack weld on the air holes to plug them and get rid of the air all together ont the front forks.. what have some other people done thanks

OOOOH...that sounds like a bad idea....if you would have to service them ever again...how would you charge system....what if you still leak???? for a quick fix the downside is huge compaired to no upside. If it was mine....I wouldnt do it. Im not up on air charged forks...but there are people who can help you on tech questions....good luck

thanks.. i just need to get them looked at and have the seals replaced and then see what happens

Hi,
Try and get the OEM seals as ALL the aftermarket ones I have tried have failed within 200 miles!
Failure has always been leaking oil.

Make sure there are no edges on the forks. Usually caused by stones etc.

Just a thought have you tried replacing the valves.
The air may be leaking at the valve?

The air is definitely leaking from the splitter or valve.. i would just rather get rid of the air all together.. could i just not add air.. they are pretty squishy right now without air..

Id try replacing the seals and using my favorite 30 or 40w synthetic motor oil in there and see if you like it without the air

wireman wrote: Id try replacing the seals and using my favorite 30 or 40w synthetic motor oil in there and see if you like it without the air

I second that motion.

You could get Progressive fork springs & eschew the air.

My plan is to add some lowering blocks in the forks.. the bike is in the shop now getting valves redone so when I get it back I will work on them.. I will ask rebuild them while I'm in there and get some new oil from them.. thanks guys