Topic: Ever measured the fork oil height?

[Untold]

When I drop mine down, they are pretty much exactly vertical while still on the bike. I'm surprised to read about people
having difficulty. Takes me 5 minutes.

[Clyde]

It is usual in modern bikes to use the level to set up forks. Normally done off the bike with no spring and the tube fully down in the slider.

With my Z1B- Kawasaki published a bulletin back in  August 1974 recommending people use the level method rather than the volume method. They gave a figure 422mm with the spring in and forks extended to the max.
I made a level tube tool and checked the Z1. I found that there was about 8mm difference in height between left and right forks.
I was having problems with the handling and felt it was a bit harsh over small bumps, so changed from 15 to 10W but raised the level by 15mm. Definitely worked.

I did a few tests on the Kawasaki and it did not make more than 1mm difference if the fork was on an angle as you insert the tube down through the centre of the spring.
On modern Showa (43mm) forks with no spring to centre the tube, it would be significant but as they have to be done off the bike it is not a problem.

It would be worth trying to get some good data as to heights with Honda's as I have found it a much better way to set up forks.

Clyde

[MCRider]

When I drop mine down, they are pretty much exactly vertical while still on the bike. I'm surprised to read about people
having difficulty. Takes me 5 minutes.

550 may be easier than a 750?

[Untold]

When I drop mine down, they are pretty much exactly vertical while still on the bike. I'm surprised to read about people
having difficulty. Takes me 5 minutes.

550 may be easier than a 750?

Yeah, that could be the case.  I also put a 2" board under my center stand, so the angle of the forks ends up slightly more vertical when dropped down.

[HotCarl73]

this would all be a lot less perilous if i could find a forks extended (front tire lifted off the ground), springs out fork oil level for my k3 750. i guess it can't be done that way or else i would have found it by now. seems like it would make the process a lot simpler and safer. went for a ride with my 6 ozs per leg and it seems fine and better than it was. i'd still recommend doing it properly, though.

[lucky]

You need to get a shop manual and measure the amount of fluid like the book says.

[scottly]

this would all be a lot less perilous if i could find a forks extended (front tire lifted off the ground), springs out fork oil level for my k3 750. i guess it can't be done that way or else i would have found it by now. seems like it would make the process a lot simpler and safer.

That's why I measured the oil level with a dip-stick after I had filled the forks with the "recommended" measure of oil, with the forks extended and the springs installed: that gave me a baseline. I found that a very small volume of fluid had a VERY drastic change in the level, as measured with the dip-stick.

[dave500]

i rang king springs here the other day owen and they will only reset coil springs lower not higher,because of work place health and safety what ever that has got to do with stretching a hot spring longer?

[PeWe]

I did my fork today. Collapsed and filled with oil, max from top 140mm according to the progressive fork spring description. (I have progressive springs)
I measured the oil. One tube 190cc, the other ~200cc to reach 140mm level. Not that much difference. 1cl and 2-3cl less than HONDA manual recommendation.

I used a syringe with hose. Hose length from syringe bottom 140mm. Filled the fork tube a little bit too much and could suck it back in the syringe and got rather exact 140mm below the top of the tube.

This time no additional distance tube for the spring preload when it get 15mm preload with the fork top plugs.