my 13 kx450f has the new air forks, I have had some issues keeping air in them in the cold. Problem is it really hasn't been that cold lately, worried how they will work if in the very cold temps. Practically a brand new bike that's never seen dirt. Also how many have taken the fork guards off completely? They pack with snow then the seals have to push it all away, wondered if that was contributing to my seals leaking air. Probably take them off from now on and see what the shafts look like after a few rides.
Air Forks
- Thread starter albertaguy
- Start date
R
Rush44
Well-known member
The air forks are most certainly a problem for Kawasaki at the moment (go check Thumpertalk, lots of people not happy with them except a few indoor MX riders) and a bigger problem for us winter riders. The key seems to be making sure they get into a heated shop every night and don't sit out in the trailer in below freezing conditions before your ride. After hearing some horror stories I know I will never have air shocks for my year-round bike.
With regards to the fork guards... ditch them. I've now seen twice blown fork seals from either too much snow being compacted at the bottom of the travel or the fork guards getting knocked into the path of the fork tube and the guard pierces the fork seal causing it to start leaking. Sure, they look nice, but that's about all they seem to do.
With regards to the fork guards... ditch them. I've now seen twice blown fork seals from either too much snow being compacted at the bottom of the travel or the fork guards getting knocked into the path of the fork tube and the guard pierces the fork seal causing it to start leaking. Sure, they look nice, but that's about all they seem to do.
Can you not fill them with Nitrogen like car tires? Less pressure change due to temp right?
The seals get hard and leak.
How come fox can make shocks that work in the cold?????
There are some guys that use softer seals that work better in the cold
Allen as some info on that.
How come fox can make shocks that work in the cold?????
There are some guys that use softer seals that work better in the cold
Allen as some info on that.
B
bb27
Member
I have only had an issue one time with my new kawi it was -10 outside and it had been sitting out all night. brought it home warmed it up and ran a seal saver around it. It hasent missed a beat since. I really like the air fork and the limitless adjustments. from the snobike to the dunes and mountains in the summer. a couple minutes to adjust and your good to go. I think the pro's out number the con's just my thoughts..
Love my air forks take a pump with you yes I run my fork guards if I get snow packing up I tap them with my foot to clean them out I have 80hrs on snow and lost air 1 time that was before I started cleaning them out when you get good you can tap them as you ride
error um up
the only thing older than trying to make air forks work is round tires on scooters.
after rebuilding Fox Floats for customers and owning a few sets of my own I got to admit that the lure of free air can be intoxicating, but the next morning when you wake up and rdie that free air............well its second class at best, was then, HEY
FOX, try that again in 10 years.
Makes you wonder what possessed Kawasaki / Kayaba to think they have a new grip on bad air. Hey no springs............oh but no suspension of quality either.
the only thing older than trying to make air forks work is round tires on scooters.
after rebuilding Fox Floats for customers and owning a few sets of my own I got to admit that the lure of free air can be intoxicating, but the next morning when you wake up and rdie that free air............well its second class at best, was then, HEY
FOX, try that again in 10 years.
Makes you wonder what possessed Kawasaki / Kayaba to think they have a new grip on bad air. Hey no springs............oh but no suspension of quality either.
R
Rush44
Well-known member
Love my air forks take a pump with you yes I run my fork guards if I get snow packing up I tap them with my foot to clean them out I have 80hrs on snow and lost air 1 time that was before I started cleaning them out when you get good you can tap them as you ride
So are you saying you think the fork seals might be getting trashed from the snow packing in the guards? I know it can happen and I've seen lower fork seals ruined from a broken guard on regular oil shocks... makes sense that the same would apply to air shocks.
slip sliding
I think you can likely eliminate fork seal failure if you keep synthetic grease packed under your wipers on your fork legs. All floats are suposed to have constant supply of synthetic oil in the air sleeve for lubrication, it will extend seal life and shock performance . Fork seals in the snow same issue, they need lubrication. Fork seals on YZ's on the track will last 100 hrs or so with constant lubrication, or 15 hrs if left dry .
I think you can likely eliminate fork seal failure if you keep synthetic grease packed under your wipers on your fork legs. All floats are suposed to have constant supply of synthetic oil in the air sleeve for lubrication, it will extend seal life and shock performance . Fork seals in the snow same issue, they need lubrication. Fork seals on YZ's on the track will last 100 hrs or so with constant lubrication, or 15 hrs if left dry .
I don't have air shocks but one thing came to mind a little antifreeze may cure the issue. The stuff is made to lubricate and not freeze. Just a thought.
anne freeze
I like the anti freeze idea, I'll try that. That might be a great fix. When talking to Fox several years ago about snowmobile fox shock contamination with water, certain temps and not necessarily real cold, just like carb icing, shock shafts create ice crystals on the shaft surface when you get the shocks warm and then the shaft is constantly exposed in the stroke to out side temps and its condensation not always kicked up snow that ruins the shock oil. Similar situation may be hard on air forks. I have not noticed any significant water in the oil contamination on our snow bikes, maybe some have, but not on my WR and YZ.
I like the anti freeze idea, I'll try that. That might be a great fix. When talking to Fox several years ago about snowmobile fox shock contamination with water, certain temps and not necessarily real cold, just like carb icing, shock shafts create ice crystals on the shaft surface when you get the shocks warm and then the shaft is constantly exposed in the stroke to out side temps and its condensation not always kicked up snow that ruins the shock oil. Similar situation may be hard on air forks. I have not noticed any significant water in the oil contamination on our snow bikes, maybe some have, but not on my WR and YZ.
I am with you on that one---the top of the line air shocks are almost as good as average coil overs just more adjustable. We figured that out with Air shocks now we try the same again with the forks
Kind of like a adjustable wrench sure it works on many different nuts and bolts but once you used a proper box end wrench or socket set you will realize how much better the right tool for the job works.
