Hey guys need your help again. I am not happy with the feel of my front forks now that the back end is tightened up with the bagger brace. I am running the correct air pressure front forks and rear shocks but want the forks a little heavier. I am going to change to the Screaming Eagle Heavy Fork Oil this weekend. I know how to drain the forks and how much to put in, but what is the procedure to do it through the air lines? I have a pump do I just take out the schrader valve and pump it in through the nozzle and hope the right amount goes in each fork? Any help is appreciated. Thanks again.

 

nope u r backwards. remove schrader valve and hook up a vacuum (mighty vac, vacula )to it. with drain screw removed use a 1/4 inch hose stick one end in your oil container and the other end in the drain screw hole. once all oil is in the fork install drain screw oil will not come out as long as a vacuum is on it. once screw is started immediatly release vacuum. and the same for the other side. let me know how it works.... Jason

 

After you drain both legs, be sure to put the plug back in the one you are not servicing or you won't have vacuum....For vacuum, I use my shop vac. I put a one end of a piece of fuel line on the valve, stick the other end in my vac hose and seal it with a wet rag.

 

Thanks guys I was really about to screw up. Where can I get a fitting to go in the drain hole?

 

The size is M8 x 1.25
Try your local hardware store.

 

I bought a bolt at the hardware store, cut the head off, and drilled a hole thru it to make a fitting.

 

Ok guys got the fork oil changed. It was ALOT easier than I thought. Here is how I did it.

Removed drain screws from both forks and drained old fluid. Had to pump the forks a few times to get it all out. The stuff was NASTY dirty looking black and smelled horrible. I don't think it was ever changed.

Removed the schraeder valve from the airline and blew out the lines and forks. Not necessary but did it anyways.

Took a piece of clear plastic tubing just a tad bit larger than the drain hole and threaded it in and out untill it made threads on the tubing.

Connected the tubing to a Harbor Freight High Volume Hand Pump. It was like $7.00 for the pump. Put the correct amount of fluid in the pump plus about half an ounce for any spillage.

Pumped the fluid into the forks one at a time. Took about 8 pumps per side to get all of the fluid in. Pinched the Clear tubing so none would run back out.

Now REAL FAST unscrew the tubing and replace the drain screw. Got a few drops of spillage but not much at all. Pumped the front forks about 20 times untill they got tight feeling. At the end you could hear no air coming out of the fitting for the air lines. Replaced the schraeder valve and added 10 lbs of air pressure.

Went for a 164 mile ride to test them out. (I KNOW WHAT A TEST RIDE) it was AWESOME. The bike felt 10 times more responsive in the curves and NO DIP. Coming to a stop was much more controlled. No dipping when applying the front brakes. The Screaming Eagle Heavy Fork Oil is the way to go in my opinion. There is probably other than that fluid that is better. But mine was so crappy this stuff seems like a gift from god. I am very pleased with the way my bike handles and performs. In combination with the Progressive Rear Link, This bike is the most fun I have ever had on two wheels. Now I won't be trading bikes or having a PAYMENT. Paint and chrome wheels here we come!!!!!

Thanks to all you guys for the help along the way. This bike has given me its share of disapointment, but the reward is so much better.

 

For the benefit of others who want to undertake this procedure, the drain hole at the bottom of the fork is recessed to fit a certain OD plastic hose. I don't recall what size this is and have sold my '96 RK service manual, but it is the same OD as the old-style battery drain hose. Use that size hose and it slips in the recessed area very neatly without needing an adapter.

If anyone knows the proper OD, please post so we can make a note of it.

 

Iclick:

I will see when I go out to the garage what size tubing it was. It was a harder tubing I used not real soft. It worked great.