Deerslayer
07-09-2003, 07:47 AM
What technique do you use in changing the fork oil?
On various bikes, I usually have simply removed the forks, opened the top and dumped the oil, pumping the fork assembly, rinsed with Varsol and left it hanging upside down overnight, then refilled with new oil - either using the amount stated in the Owners Manual or to the level previously measured prior to dumping the old oil. In the latter case, I put in oil, pump the assembly a bit, then re-measure the level and top up if necessary. Does that sound reasonable?
On my ZRX1100, there was a complicated disassembly specified in the shop manual, requiring a special tool, etc. (Those forks had compression and rebound damping adjustments as well as pre-load, so this is a more complex fork). Instead, I did what a friend of mine did, employing the technique described above. The quantity of oil used for the refill was less than the manual said - he had gotten that number from the dealer, I am not sure on what basis, but I have no reason to think there was anything wrong with doing it that way.
On my Yamaha TDR650, the manual specifies "284 ml" of fork oil. Absurd!
Even with a laboratory graduated cylinder, you won't get that kind of accuracy. You really have to wonder where they come up with such numbers!
The reason for asking is that I plan to do this myself in the Fall, before laying up my 2003 V-Strom for the winter. I believe that a fork oil change every couple years is ideal, but that the first year is the break-in year and it is important to do it then.
BTW, if you have never opened a fork which has fork oil that has been in there beyond its prime life-time, you are in for a surprise. It will be very obvious that you have waited too long. What a smell!
Opinions or advice?
On various bikes, I usually have simply removed the forks, opened the top and dumped the oil, pumping the fork assembly, rinsed with Varsol and left it hanging upside down overnight, then refilled with new oil - either using the amount stated in the Owners Manual or to the level previously measured prior to dumping the old oil. In the latter case, I put in oil, pump the assembly a bit, then re-measure the level and top up if necessary. Does that sound reasonable?
On my ZRX1100, there was a complicated disassembly specified in the shop manual, requiring a special tool, etc. (Those forks had compression and rebound damping adjustments as well as pre-load, so this is a more complex fork). Instead, I did what a friend of mine did, employing the technique described above. The quantity of oil used for the refill was less than the manual said - he had gotten that number from the dealer, I am not sure on what basis, but I have no reason to think there was anything wrong with doing it that way.
On my Yamaha TDR650, the manual specifies "284 ml" of fork oil. Absurd!
Even with a laboratory graduated cylinder, you won't get that kind of accuracy. You really have to wonder where they come up with such numbers!
The reason for asking is that I plan to do this myself in the Fall, before laying up my 2003 V-Strom for the winter. I believe that a fork oil change every couple years is ideal, but that the first year is the break-in year and it is important to do it then.
BTW, if you have never opened a fork which has fork oil that has been in there beyond its prime life-time, you are in for a surprise. It will be very obvious that you have waited too long. What a smell!
Opinions or advice?