Topic: Changing Front Fork Oil '76 CB550F.

[Frostyboy]

After my recent tour with Godzilla on board, my shoulders & back copped a bit of a pounding from jarring through the bars. I've just found the bottle of Motul fork oil I used the last time I changed the fork oil & realise it's 'Heavy'.
The manual sais to flush the interior with solvent before adding new oil.
My question is what solvent would be suitable. The manual sais  not to use gasoline, I'm thinking maybe kerosene?
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[CoachDoc]

Good question- I've wondered about that at times myself. Looking foward to some hopefully erudite replies.

[dave500]

id fill it with atf,ride it or bounce it up and down and drain it.

[TwoTired]

I use mineral spirits for the flush.  I think kerosene would work, as well.  But, I think it is more 'oily'.  I wonder if mineral spirits has a lower viscosity?

Anyway, you just want to flush out any metal particles from erosion of the metal sliding on metal.

I don't think either kerosene or mineral spirits residue will alter the chemistry of the fork oil, installed afterward.

Cheers,

[Rigid]

I use mineral spirits for the flush.  I think kerosene would work, as well.  But, I think it is more 'oily'.  I wonder if mineral spirits has a lower viscosity?

Anyway, you just want to flush out any metal particles from erosion of the metal sliding on metal.

I don't think either kerosene or mineral spirits residue will alter the chemistry of the fork oil, installed afterward.

Cheers,

+1, mineral spirits won't hurt the rubber or anything else, and removes grease and grime.  I would add that a complete disassembly, clean, and inspect is best.

[cameron]

I would add that a complete disassembly, clean, and inspect is best.

Best, plus hardest and most painfully time consuming!

[LesterPiglet]

I have down to an exact science now after the threads stripped in my fork bottoms. It helps if you have the special tool. A whittled piece of wood to act as wedge to stop the innards turning.

[mono]

I have down to an exact science now after the threads stripped in my fork bottoms. It helps if you have the special tool. A whittled piece of wood to act as wedge to stop the innards turning.

huh? what?  wedgies? strippers? 

really - what stripped out?  now you've got me worried since i plan on doing this myself this week.  tips/things to watch out for?

[LesterPiglet]

The threads that hold the fender and brake caliper were stripped on mine. I had to take them apart to remove all the metal filings after getting them repaired.

[Bailgang]

The biggest issue I had with mine was trying to prevent the shallow allen head cap screw for rounding out when initially breaking it loose. Some come off easy some don't'

[LesterPiglet]

For that allen screw use a power tool. A quick spin frees it up.

[Frostyboy]

Thanks for the responses. I'll go with  the mineral spirits & see how it goes before pulling 'em apart.

[dave500]

on forks that havent been apart for a long time i give that allen bolt a decent knock with a brass drift first.

[Frostyboy]

Well after a few searches of hardware stores trying to find Mineral Spirits with no joy, I was about to buy Kerosene to do the flush. No such thing here apparently, well at least not by that name.
It appears that here in Aus, it's known as Mineral Turpentine which you can buy just about anywhere.
Go figure 

[dave500]

i buy kero in 20 litre drums to use as parts cleaner?from a shell depot,coles/woolies has it in one litre bottles.

[TwoTired]

Mineral spirits is also called paint thinner here in the states.

[trueblue]

Here if you go into a shop and ask for paint thinners you won't be given turps.