Should I bleed my forks?

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:29 am

I recently painted my forks and I see in the manual the screw on the top is refered to as a 'Bleed Screw'. It must be to let air out of the forks but when and how should this be done? Anybody got any input?

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tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:49 am

Undo the plastic screw cap. You'll find a bleed nipple in the recess. Use a suitable spanner to undo it. If any air was compressed when you were fiddling with the forks like extending it past the stanchion seal it is necessary to bleed the forks.

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:35 am

OK, thanks for that mate.

tanneman wrote:".....like extending it past the stanchion seal....."

Yup, I probably did that and might have damaged a seal 'cos now one of 'ems leaking

so replacements are in the post. Can you say if I should be performing this 'bleeding' op' with the bike on or off (weight on the wheels

) the centre stand?

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:22 pm

Can't remember. Will have a look in the manual after work.

Merecat · Post by **Merecat** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 3:44 pm

It should be done with the bike upright and unloaded.
I just held mine upright and released the bleed valve.

Mick

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 3:53 pm

on my bcr there's just blanking plugs under the plastic caps.

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 5:49 pm

slparry wrote:on my bcr there's just blanking plugs under the plastic caps.

Blanking plugs? Wot do they look like?

jeznewsome · Post by **jeznewsome** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:03 pm

On mine they look like 'solid' schrader valves........having read the thread I couldn't resist having a look:-)

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:06 pm

jeznewsome wrote:On mine they look like 'solid' shreader valves........having read the thread I couldn't resist having a look:-)

yep that's what mine look like solid Schraeder valves

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:39 pm

mine are a sort of shallow brass nut topped with a thread that the plastic cap screws on. Yesterday I unscrewed one and swear i heard a slight 'hiss'.

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:44 pm

Motocross bikes have these, just to release built up air in the fork. but then again, they have much more travel than a road bike....

Britisherspy · Post by **Britisherspy** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:25 pm

Chris let the air out of mine when we fitted the shortened telelever, theres no valves just a plug.

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:56 pm

Merecat wrote:It should be done with the bike upright and unloaded.
I just held mine upright and released the bleed valve.

Mick

As the man said.