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Registered
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Liberty, Missouri USA
Posts: 853
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Fork oil replacement for reduced friction?
I have not spent much time working on forks - and don't know all the tricks to it.
What is the easiest way to replace the fork fluid on our bikes? Can or should it be done without pulling the sliders off or changing the seals/dust wipers? Or even without pulling the forks off the bike? (think vacuum pump...) The procedure in the service manual is for dissassembly, which is farther than I want to go... I would like to swap my fork fluid to the lowest possible viscosity/friction available...the "logical next step" prior to a front shock revalve for lower high-speed compression damping. best, Dave Redford, MI ==> Liberty, MO |
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05-28-2003, 06:29 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Posts: 342
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You'll need to either take them off the bike or turn the bike upside down to drain the oil.
Taking the forks apart is very easy. When they're off the bike they just slide apart.
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Boo |
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05-28-2003, 09:13 AM
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Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Liberty, Missouri USA
Posts: 853
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I take it the tubes & sliders then go back together without difficulty?
If so then the job is truly simple...except for deciding what fluid to use...  -ds |
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05-28-2003, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 263
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Yep just remember these are not part of the suspention thats all in the shock attached to the wishbone. So any work you put into the forks might not make a big differance. It's not like a the rest of the bikes out there.
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05-29-2003, 10:27 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Bairnsdale Victoria Australia
Posts: 914
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Once the fork mounting bolts are removed from the upper and lower clamp the sliders come apart easily - only vacuum is holding them together. When close to the end beware of a squirt of oil coming from a small orifice on the end of the stanchion - it will most likely get you.
I used a good quality 5W fork oil upon reassembly and am very happy with the action. Sure the oil in the forks is only for lubrication but the 'thinner' stuff should aid a smooth action. Cheers TREVOR
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1998 Red S You are never too old to have a happy childhood! A Throttle works two ways - only one is FUN!! |
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05-29-2003, 04:38 PM
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Bellingham WA
Posts: 3,603
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Given the the oil in the forks is basically only for lubrication of the steering tubes (rather than providing any damping), I would have difficulty believing that, within reasonable viscosity limits (e.g., no 90W gear oil), that changing the oil would have any effect whatsoever.
- Mark |
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05-29-2003, 05:44 PM
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