Checking Fork Oil
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 8
From: south
Well...I guess what I was wanting to do may not work.
I have already changed the fluid without taking the forks off per Icick's way. I put in 10.8ozs.
I was thinking there would be a measurement that I could do with the forks on the bike to make sure they were exactly the same on both sides... either with the weight off the forks or with the bike sitting on the floor.
I guess I can make a measuring tool at the level I am at now and be able to use it in the future.
Thanks Guys!
I have already changed the fluid without taking the forks off per Icick's way. I put in 10.8ozs.
I was thinking there would be a measurement that I could do with the forks on the bike to make sure they were exactly the same on both sides... either with the weight off the forks or with the bike sitting on the floor.
I guess I can make a measuring tool at the level I am at now and be able to use it in the future.
Thanks Guys!
Last edited by harley-jones; Jan 4, 2010 at 04:21 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I don't think it matters if the forks are off or not..If the forks are completely drained, they take 10.7 oz of fork oil period.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
This wont work since you have already changed it but... I just changed mine over the weekend. Before I drained, I slowly lowered the syringe tube into the fork to find the current level and set the ring there. Drained the oil, pumped the forks several times and drained again. Then I added a little over 11oz in each fork, pumped them several times and then sucked out the excess to get back to the original level I set with the ring.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it more important to have the exact same amount by checking the level in each fork than just pouring the same amount of oil in each fork. For the 20 some odd dollars for the syringe and tube, it was a good investment to get the level the same in both forks.
Right or wrong it rides pretty good and that nasty black crap is out of there.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it more important to have the exact same amount by checking the level in each fork than just pouring the same amount of oil in each fork. For the 20 some odd dollars for the syringe and tube, it was a good investment to get the level the same in both forks.
Right or wrong it rides pretty good and that nasty black crap is out of there.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
If he does it this way, yes..the forks have to be off the bike.
Period.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 8
From: south
This wont work since you have already changed it but... I just changed mine over the weekend. Before I drained, I slowly lowered the syringe tube into the fork to find the current level and set the ring there. Drained the oil, pumped the forks several times and drained again. Then I added a little over 11oz in each fork, pumped them several times and then sucked out the excess to get back to the original level I set with the ring.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it more important to have the exact same amount by checking the level in each fork than just pouring the same amount of oil in each fork. For the 20 some odd dollars for the syringe and tube, it was a good investment to get the level the same in both forks.
Right or wrong it rides pretty good and that nasty black crap is out of there.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it more important to have the exact same amount by checking the level in each fork than just pouring the same amount of oil in each fork. For the 20 some odd dollars for the syringe and tube, it was a good investment to get the level the same in both forks.
Right or wrong it rides pretty good and that nasty black crap is out of there.
I don't see why this wouldn't work. If someone would know why this is not a good idea please post.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
If I'm confused in my thinking, please by all means set me straight.
Note: I changed my fork oil out last year and added 10.8 oz per side without removing the forks from the bike and have no issues, other then a stiffer ride(SE Heavy). This time, I'm going to mix Type E with SE Heavy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Not to beat a dead horse but my service manual states that the front forks take 10.7 oz of fork oil per side. Now, if their drained completely, the amount of fork oil to fill them would be 10.7 oz no matter if the forks are on or off the bike.
If I'm confused in my thinking, please by all means set me straight.
Note: I changed my fork oil out last year and added 10.8 oz per side without removing the forks from the bike and have no issues, other then a stiffer ride(SE Heavy). This time, I'm going to mix Type E with SE Heavy.
If I'm confused in my thinking, please by all means set me straight.
Note: I changed my fork oil out last year and added 10.8 oz per side without removing the forks from the bike and have no issues, other then a stiffer ride(SE Heavy). This time, I'm going to mix Type E with SE Heavy.
The 4.92 number he gave is for the forks, off the bike, compressed.
Ever seen a fork oil level gauge?
You set the gauge by a measurement, in this case, 4.92 inches or 125mm.
Compress the forks, pour oil in, stick the gauge in the fork, suck out the excess.
This method is plainly stated in the Service Manual.
If you're going to replace the oil by volume, you need to drain into a graduated cup, like a Ratio-Rite cup.
Notice the oil mark, clean the cup, fill with fresh oil, replace.
Doing the forks the way you state works, however, I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut you're not getting a complete 10.7 oz. out.
I'm in no way saying the method you use is wrong, it isn't.
The OP asked for a measurement.
dawg and I were responding to the question at hand.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
Here's the one I made. I used a syringe from an injectable marinade, some tubing from Home Depot, and some left over copper tubing. I then marked the level with tape so I knew how low to go. It works like a champ and was cheap!
