Epiphany when installing fork springs
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Hawkeye state
Epiphany when installing fork springs
Got my front progressive fork springs installed since wife was working and kids went to gma's. Was trying to get oil level set to 6" and kept under or over filling. Then the light bulb lit up. I got a mighty vac sitting beside me I was using to pull the residual oil out. What if I put some vice grips not too tight on evacuation hose and set to 6". Wa-la was perfect for both sides. This way I know both a perfectly even.
Old oil was like mud and nasty. Hope it rides good this spring.
Old oil was like mud and nasty. Hope it rides good this spring.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: San Diego, CA
Sly,
I need to do my fork oil soon too. After seeing yours, maybe sooner than later.
Just have not hooked into this "epiphany." I do know what the word means, but I thought you just measured a certain cc/oz amount into each "wet" fork tube after draining? I doubt the springs would change that part.
It looks like you used some liquid balance between the fork sliders? Or not?
John
I need to do my fork oil soon too. After seeing yours, maybe sooner than later.
Just have not hooked into this "epiphany." I do know what the word means, but I thought you just measured a certain cc/oz amount into each "wet" fork tube after draining? I doubt the springs would change that part.
It looks like you used some liquid balance between the fork sliders? Or not?
John
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 277
From: Hawkeye state
Sly,
I need to do my fork oil soon too. After seeing yours, maybe sooner than later.
Just have not hooked into this "epiphany." I do know what the word means, but I thought you just measured a certain cc/oz amount into each "wet" fork tube after draining? I doubt the springs would change that part.
It looks like you used some liquid balance between the fork sliders? Or not?
John
I need to do my fork oil soon too. After seeing yours, maybe sooner than later.
Just have not hooked into this "epiphany." I do know what the word means, but I thought you just measured a certain cc/oz amount into each "wet" fork tube after draining? I doubt the springs would change that part.
It looks like you used some liquid balance between the fork sliders? Or not?
John
Mighty vac hose set to 6"
Fol-2 measuring tool
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,585
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From: San Diego, CA
So, the fork oil comes up to 6" below the top of the fork tubes? Without the springs installed? With the fork sliders fully collapsed? I thought it was only a few ounces, that sounds like a lot more.
Great information, some light coming from the darkness, this is good.
I think I need to look in my FSM about this, my bike is older, but should work the same. Good input, thanks.
John
Great information, some light coming from the darkness, this is good.
I think I need to look in my FSM about this, my bike is older, but should work the same. Good input, thanks.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Dec 25, 2013 at 10:08 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Hawkeye state
You have it correct. Still only a few oz. Well around 12oz or so per fork tube. I have about 1/3 qt left. I have the FSM and it said 5.75" for my xl1200c but went 6" as I read that was a good level for progressive springs.
Last edited by slyedog; Dec 26, 2013 at 10:44 AM.
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From: Milton, PA
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
If you're also installing the Progressive Springs, I recommend following Progressive's recommendation and use something closer to "stock" weight fork oil, which would be 5 - 7 weight.
I didn't listen when I first installed mine and used 15 weight as well. I dumped it a month later and went with 7 weight.
But YMMV
I didn't listen when I first installed mine and used 15 weight as well. I dumped it a month later and went with 7 weight.
But YMMV
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 566
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From: Milton, PA
If you're also installing the Progressive Springs, I recommend following Progressive's recommendation and use something closer to "stock" weight fork oil, which would be 5 - 7 weight.
I didn't listen when I first installed mine and used 15 weight as well. I dumped it a month later and went with 7 weight.
But YMMV
I didn't listen when I first installed mine and used 15 weight as well. I dumped it a month later and went with 7 weight.
But YMMV