Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

What do you use in your Fox Shox?

Either may be used, but Nitrogen is prefered and recommended.
The advantage is that Nitrogen expands less than air as it is heated, thus the pressure stays constant as you ride. The second, reduced foaming of the shock oil under extreme conditions which will degrade performance.

If you use nitrogen in the Fox shocks, how do you adjust the pressure? Do you need special equipement to increase the pressure?

If you want to use Nitrogen in your shocks, you will need some additional equipment. Nitrogen tanks can be purchased from welding and bottled gas suppliers. You will also need a regulator valve on the tank. It can be purchased from the gas supplier, Northern, Sears-Craftsman...etc. The ideal setup is dual valve and pressure gauges. Cost is about 150 for both.

When charging the shocks, always do the high pressure first, that is the valve on the piston end of the shock that should be mounted to the swingarm. Then do the low on the top valve (cylinder).

Also, when charging the shocks, go about 10 lbs over the desired setting. Reason, when you pull off of the valve, no matter how quick you are, you will loose 10%.

Most of this information is explained in the Manual. If you don't have one, Red Racer has it.

LtThor

Taking in to account the cost of the nitrogen equipment I think I'll just run air until I order the Ohlins. Thanks for the info!

J

_________________
#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B