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.
