A credible source of mine kind of said the same thing - ambient air pressure is 
sufficient, adjust tension same way as rear forks - manually by the numbers

On Aug 4, 2012, at 12:18 PM, Hanghank wrote:

> Regarding front fork air pressure:  I cannot recall where I saw this 
> information, but I considered it very authoritative at the time.  It was very 
> difficult for me to get the correct air pressure in the front forks.   The 
> volume is so low that just attempting to get a pressure reading with a gage 
> released enough air to negate the reading.  The info said to put the bike on 
> the center stand, place weight – a second person? – on the rear to raise the 
> front wheel completely off the ground, which would extend the  front fork 
> tubes completely.  Release all the air in the fork tubes so they are at 
> atmospheric pressure only. You are done.  When returned to the ground 
> position, the weight of the bike will compress the air in the forks to the 
> desired pressure.  I tried to check the pressure but the gage would release 
> enough air to give the wrong pressure.  I think a hand pump with an integral 
> gage would enable you to pressurize it correctly.
>  
>  
> From: Nathan Hall
> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2012 3:13 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] 1984 Nighthawk 700 Oil leak/front forks air 
> pressure question
>  
> Hi everyone, 
> 
> I'm new to the discussion board, but I've been riding an '84 Nighthawk 700 
> (red and black, the better-looking one) for about 3 years now and it's become 
> my favorite bike to ride, hands down.  I've yet to find another bike that 
> compares, and I'm sure you guys know where I'm coming from. 
> 
> One problem it's had since I've owned it is that it will leak oil from the 
> left-side head if it's either set on its kick stand or being run thoroughly.  
> On its center stand, there is no problem with leaks on the garage floor, but 
> when I go for several long rides over time it will give my left foot a good 
> coating of oil.  It's obvious where the problem is coming from -- the 
> left-side head gasket.  I've just never been too concerned with it because I 
> lose half a quart maybe every 400 miles.  I jokingly call it my 
> "self-changing-oil" mechanism, but it really is something that needs 
> remedying at some point.  I'd like to gain some insight as to how difficult  
> it is to change a head gasket on a Nighthawk.  It works so perfectly right 
> now that I'm always a bit apprehensive about changing things around.  It 
> seems like every old bike you work on has developed a certain groove in which 
> it likes to operate and replacing/changing parts never really goes over well.
> 
> Has anyone done this sort of job before, and how difficult is it?  I imagine 
> it requires completely removing the engine, which I'm not currently set up to 
> be able to do.  If it turns out to be an actually serious problem, I will 
> surely get it fixed as quickly as possible though.
> 
> One other quick question is about putting air in the front forks.  My front 
> forks have been diving a bit more than preferable when I brake and a friend 
> of mine told me that I must use a bicycle or hand pump to get the forks to 
> the right PSI because it requires such low PSI (1-2 PSI if I remember 
> correctly).  Could anyone verify this?
> 
> I appreciate any info/responses to my questions and I'm also glad to be a 
> part of the Nighthawk lovers group!!  Thanks.
> -- 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
> "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit 
> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nighthawk_lovers/-/IOJGjYx6oiUJ.
> To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
> [email protected].
> For more options, visit this group at 
> http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
> 
> -- 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
> "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group.
> To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
> [email protected].
> For more options, visit this group at 
> http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at 
http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.

Reply via email to