imported post
ubarw wrote:
Bargoyle (80 gl1100) seems to have trouble keeping the pressure in the front air suspension. I can find no obvious problems. Any tips on where to start?
First, be sure you are checking the air with a low volume air gauge. If you are using a large air gauge it will use up (drain) a lot of your air on each checking. Next, make sure you are always checking the air with the bike set up the same way. If the bike is on or off the side stand, with or without a rider can make a difference in measured air pressure. Then make sure you are always checking at about the same fork temperature. Before of after a ride can make a big difference.
If you still suspect a leak you might startat theupper fork cap "O" ring area. You probably have a leaking cap "O" ring or crossover tube seal. If you aren't leaking oil at the fork seals you probably aren't leaking the air there as those seals are below oil level most of the time so would leak oil with the air.
You can use some soapy water & a small paint brush to check for leaks, just paint the suspect areas with the soapy water & look for bubbles. Dish washing soap or laundry detergent probably isn't the best choice for soap as those usually don't bubble very good, they moreor lessfoam. Regular bar hand soap works pretty good if lathered into the water. Kids bubble maker works great if you have access there.
You might have to over-inflate the forks slightly to find your leak as a low pressure slow leak is hard to find. If you still can't find the leak you might have to get creative. I usually just inflate the forks with air conditioning Freon then use my A/C sniffer to locate the leak (works great).
Also, is it typical that the brake light only triggers with the back brake?
No, the brake light should come on with either the front or rear brake lever. You probably either have a defective front brake switch or a broken wire.
And third, if you are driving your car at the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the lights?
Nothing, you are driving too fast to see in front of you anyhow. It's also hard to hold your head still at that speed as the air blowing on your helmet is pretty strong!!!!
Twisty