Author Topic: Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals  (Read 2874 times)

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ChefJoe

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Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals
« on: November 04, 2005, 10:55:41 AM »
Hello all!
Been a while since I had a question for you knowledgable folks... but here it is.

One of my forks seals leaks a little and I was wondering if I can change the oil without replacing the seals just yet.
If so, how much exactly do I need to put in each leg? Should I use ATF or motor oil? If motor oil, what weight?
If I drain the old stuff and then loosen the top caps, will it still spray me with goo?
Thanks in advance,
Joe

MetalHead550

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Re: Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2005, 12:10:00 PM »
Yeah I can understand waiting till the riding season is over to change seals but youll want to do it sometime soon.  You can just pull the plugs at the bottom of the forks, let em drain, then compress them a few times to get the last bit out.  Carefull itll shoot out like a super soaker(tm).  When you remove the caps from the tubes make sure you keep downward force on them as you loosen them cuz while they wont shoot you with fluid,  the springs may want to pop out a bit since they put constant pressure against the cap.  Can be a bit difficult getting the caps back on because of the springs but not a real biggie.  ATF fluid would be fine but you should also consider that they make different weight fork oils, 5, 10, 15w.  The heavier the weight, the stiffer the forks so you can suit your preference by choosing the appropriate weight.  Dont know how much you need for your specific forks though.  Later.

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2005, 12:12:50 PM »
Joe, needless to say you should change the seals. Having said that you can drain what in in there by opening the drains at the bottom. Open the top caps on one side, drain the fliud and refill with 5oz of ATF or since u have a leak maybe SAE 30wt would get u by for a while. The reason you only open one top cap at a time is if you take them both off without supporting the frame, the front end dives. If you have the bars turned the right way, the throttle cable tubes hit the tank and give you two chips in the tank like i have in mine.  >:(
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ChefJoe

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Re: Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2005, 01:58:58 PM »
Rockin'!
So 5oz of sae30 weight motor oil should do the trick?
Sounds simple enough.

This winter, what little winter we have here in Tejas, I'll be pulling the motor to fix a slight oil leak out of cylinder #1 and repainting the beast black.

I'm sure I'll have lots 'o question for y'all then!
Thanks a bunch!
Joe

Offline Pinhead

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Re: Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2006, 10:52:22 AM »
What's the name for the tool that is used to remove the top caps? Is it just a really big allen wrench? '79 650.
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Offline StevieMac

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Re: Fork Oil and replacing without changing seals
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2006, 01:36:48 PM »
What's the name for the tool that is used to remove the top caps? Is it just a really big allen wrench? '79 650.

I have that style of cap on my Yamaha Venture.  I always use a bolt that's head fits right in the socket of the cap.  Actually it's a CB750 motor mount bolt that fits mine (17mm head).  Then clamp the shaft of the bolt with vise grips and twist.  I've done this many times on the Yamaha with no problems at all.  Works like a charm.
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