what is the air valve for on my forks

[devries]

at the top of each one of my front forks there is an air valve. What the heck are they there for?
the bike is a 1990 cr500 with stock showa forks

 

[Adrenaline]

Every three or so rides get the front wheel up and take them screws out. (make sure they are not the clickers if they are the clickers then they are the compression clickers) anyways if they are not the clickers then take them out and let the air come out. If you don't do this you'll blow a fork seal. If you do this with the front wheel on the ground your forks will be funky to say the very least...
ADR
Someone tell me if they are clickers or not please...

 

[Darby581]

He did not say it was a screw, he said it was an air valve. This valve can be used to bleed built up air out of the fork, or to add a little air to the fork. Yes, they do add air to the old fashioned forks at times, makes them a little stiffer and a little faster rebounding.

 

[devries]

thanks for the info Darby581, do you have any idea of what range of air pressure to use when trying to stiffen up the forks?

 

[Darby581]

Dang, now you're testing my burnt out brain cells. Seems to me like we never went over 7 psi.

 

[agitt73]

the old yamahas went 5-7 psi

 

[ArmPump]

Air blreed only! If you want a stiffer front end, put in stiffer (or new) springs. Unless you like blowing fork seals, then put in the same air pressure as your tires -32psi!

Save yourself much heartache and buy a Honda shop manual - indispensible for set-up and maintenance, as well as educating yourself on your bike.