Mountain Biking - Bike upside down + releasing air from fork = blue substance squirting out

I only did it for a fraction of a second before I realized I had blue snot on my hand, probably half a teaspoon or so shot on my finger. That can't be good, I'm sure. Sigh. I thought since these were adjustable air shocks I wouldn't have to worry about snot shooting out at me.

It sounds like you were opening up the chamber (under pressure), not releasing air. You use your fork pump to let air out. I guess it's possible the fluid came through the valve considering the bike was upside down.

Do your homework first, then break out the tools.

Um I have to ask, What made you turn the bike over before checking the air pressure?

It sounds like you were opening up the chamber (under pressure), not releasing air. You use your fork pump to let air out. I guess it's possible the fluid came through the valve considering the bike was upside down.

Do your homework first, then break out the tools.


I pressed on the little needle in the middle as if it was a tire. I didn't see anything about that in the manual.

Are you saying that it's ok to keep the bike upside down and play with the pressure using the pump?

Um I have to ask, What made you turn the bike over before checking the air pressure?

I keep the front tire in my car because I bring my bike with me every day so when it's indoors rather than sit it on its front fork I put it upside downso it wouldn't be prone to tipping over on the carpet.

It's called gravity. You turn the bike upside down, all the oil inside (yes, there is oil in an air fork. And it is often blue) runs to the top. You open the air valve, blue oil comes out. There isn't a whole lot of oil in air forks (5cc's in each leg of a SID for example) so if any comes you you really need to replace it.

Don't play with the air if your bike is upside down. There is a small amount of fluid in the chamber (at least on my old fork) that will come out - or clog the valve - before the air. Think gravity.

Well it says nothing about oil coming out in the owner's manual and no cautions saying not to turn it upside down....pretty lame.

1. Remove the air topcap from the top of the left fork leg and connect the pump by threading
the chuck onto the tank valve until the pump gauge registers pressure. If the fork has no air pressure, the gauge will not register. This takes about 6 turns. Don't over-tighten as it can damage the pump chuck seal.
2. Increase the pressure by stroking the pump a few cycles. Pressure should increase slowly. If the pressure increases rapidly, check the pump is properly connected to the tank valve.
3. Decrease the pressure by depressing the black bleed-valve. Push the bleed valve half-way and hold to allow continuous pressure release. Depress the bleed-valve completely to release pressure incrementally (micro-adjust).
4. Disconnect the pump by unthreading the chuck. The sound of air loss is from the pump hose and not the fork.
5. Install the air topcap and go ride.
Note: When connecting the pump, the hose fills with air resulting in a 10-20PSI lower gauge reading. Normal pressure range is between 45 and 125PSI. DO NOT EXCEED 200PS



Thanks for all the smart ass answers btw :rolleyes:

Well it says nothing about oil coming out in the owner's manual and no cautions saying not to turn it upside down....pretty lame.

1. Remove the air topcap from the top of the left fork leg and connect the pump by threading
the chuck onto the tank valve until the pump gauge registers pressure. If the fork has no air pressure, the gauge will not register. This takes about 6 turns. Don't over-tighten as it can damage the pump chuck seal.
2. Increase the pressure by stroking the pump a few cycles. Pressure should increase slowly. If the pressure increases rapidly, check the pump is properly connected to the tank valve.
3. Decrease the pressure by depressing the black bleed-valve. Push the bleed valve half-way and hold to allow continuous pressure release. Depress the bleed-valve completely to release pressure incrementally (micro-adjust).
4. Disconnect the pump by unthreading the chuck. The sound of air loss is from the pump hose and not the fork.
5. Install the air topcap and go ride.
Note: When connecting the pump, the hose fills with air resulting in a 10-20PSI lower gauge reading. Normal pressure range is between 45 and 125PSI. DO NOT EXCEED 200PS


And which step says to turn the bike UPSIDE DOWN?

Where does it say not to turn it upside down? Hmmmm

Man, I ask a question and try to talk about it and I get attacked.
Don't even reply if you're gonna be a dick about it, I don't have space for your negative crap & snide remarks.

I actually thought I was helping. Sorry that you are so fragile. It doesn't say to not turn the bike upside down because people typically do not work on an upside down bike. Especially when the valve is on top.

The 'help' part kinda dwindles when you start being a dick about things. Yeah. Who'da thunk?

The 'help' part kinda dwindles when you start being a dick about things. Yeah. Who'da thunk?

Hmm, let's see. Was I a dick when I said to 'do your homework first', or when I said 'think gravity'?

Harden up young fella.

Open the top cap and pour a little fork oil in there, no biggy.

Hmm, let's see. Was I a dick when I said to 'do your homework first', or when I said 'think gravity'?

Harden up young fella.


I just felt like all your posts culminated in a certain tone and that pissed me off. I understand you were trying to help, but your tone felt lie an attack. Either way I apologize and I emailed Push to see what they would say as well. I would guess that the loss of oil would not do too much harm but then again it's just a guess and I'm sure it's there for a reason...more of a question of immediate damage vs long term added wear or something. Either way it sucks, damnit!

Open the top cap and pour a little fork oil in there, no biggy.

Is this something I can do with relative ease on my own? I assume you have to depressurize the fork first? Not sure which cap, the one with the air valve on it? Maybe there's a manual or maybe this is on Park tools site? I'll look but not sure where to put the oil in and really wouldn't want to further break this essentially brand new bike.

Do what RICO said. Just make sure you let all the air out before you open the cap. ;)

I'm wondering if I have to get a certain kind of fork oil and if my bike store would have it readily available, or if it's bad to mix two different brands of fork oil, etc..

Your bike shop might have it on hand, if not it's a relatively easy enough thing to order. When you go to the lbs ask how much it would be for them to top off your oil, if you're not comfortable working on your fork. It seems you're competent enough though. On my Revelation you pretty much just release the pressure in the positive and negative air chambers, loosen a couple bolts and junk, and you're in like flynn. But I have no idea how your fork is set up. A good reference book to have would be Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance. Mine has served me very well. Other than that, the only advice I can give you is to not connect the shock-pump to the bike while upside down, or you'll have a pump full of oil.

As a side note, hanging your bike upside down will get air in your brake lines.

Interesting. Never knew upside down bikes were so DANGEROUS@#&#^$#*^!

Interesting. Never knew upside down bikes were so DANGEROUS@#&#^$#*^!

It's a well known fact that inverted bikes will explode upon any impacts greater than 0.23g.

As a side note, hanging your bike upside down will get air in your brake lines.

How so? It's a closed system, no?

That was my understanding as well. I think PF is BSing

How so? It's a closed system, no?

This is, of course, assuming you're using Avid hydro brakes which come stock on all Fuel models 6.5 and up. It happens to me, and it's warned against by Avid and other manufacturers as well.


Looking for warning now....

http://www.dirtragmag.com/forums//showthread.php?t=7077

The guys at DirtRag hang their bikes, but it's also stated that not all brake systems are perfectly closed.

Air is not entering the system - it was probably already in the system (i.e. improper bleeding). Hanging upside down may allow the air to move into the lines. Bleed the brakes and its over. Not everyone shares PF's misery. It should be considered an isolated case, not across the board defect.

Air is not entering the system - it was probably already in the system (i.e. improper bleeding). Hanging upside down may allow the air to move into the lines. Bleed the brakes and its over. Not everyone shares PF's misery. It should be considered an isolated case, not across the board defect.

OK

I only did it for a fraction of a second before I realized I had blue snot on my hand, probably half a teaspoon or so shot on my finger. That can't be good, I'm sure. Sigh. I thought since these were adjustable air shocks I wouldn't have to worry about snot shooting out at me.

It's Fox Float Fluid. There's a small amount added to the air chamber to seal and lubricate the piston.

I know the air chamber side of my rock shox uses about 5 ml of oil so you won't need much. Odds are if it only squirted a little you lost no more than 5 - 10% of the total amount. In all honesty I say fah get aboud it.

THe guy at the bike store said don't worry about it, although I kinda woud like it filled...I dunno, I figure, it's there for a reason...maybe I'l get around to it

THe guy at the bike store said don't worry about it, although I kinda woud like it filled...I dunno, I figure, it's there for a reason...maybe I'l get around to it

I concur with LBS guy. If only a tiny amount squirted out and nothing with your fork has changed, I say leave and let be.

Air is not entering the system - it was probably already in the system (i.e. improper bleeding). Hanging upside down may allow the air to move into the lines. Bleed the brakes and its over. Not everyone shares PF's misery. It should be considered an isolated case, not across the board defect.

If these are anything like automotive brakes there's plenty of air in the resivoir. Inverting the bike would be just like letting the resivoir run dry, which could suck air in to the system the next time the brakes were actuated.

I say fah get aboud it.

+1