Fork valves?

[dafydd roberts]

Why do they say you have to put your bike on a stand before releasing the built up pressure in the forks?

[4stroke]

to allow the forks to go to maximum length, otherwise you let the pressure out and it defeats the purpose of the shock in away,
a lil test for ya to understand what i mean, loosen the bleed screwsand push your forks down and the air escapes then when you release the forks the air returns to the shock.

[Danger]

So you don't create a vacuum which is what would happen if you opened the fork bleed valve with the fork compressed. This tends to allow the fork to ride too low in the stroke, cavitation to occur more readilly and create a harsh feeling.
I'm not a fan of the push button bleed valves. They only need a small amount of dust inside them to create a leak and either suck air in or loose pressure, either of which is not helpful. Only takes 10 seconds to back a screw out and I like to bleed the forks the day before a ride. Many forks feel a little better with a small amount of positive pressure which occurs as the fork warms slightly and this helps the fork ride higher and also resists cavitation more so than a negative pressure.

[warewolf]

It makes me cringe to see fellahs sitting on their bikes, pushing the bleed valves. Almost like they are showing off the 'bling', but all I am thinking is, "you've got more dollars than sense."

[dafydd roberts]

Thanks some very handy info there,