Topic: CB500K1 forks issue

[AndyH]

With the bike on the centre stand, if I pull up on the handlebars the forks make a "clunk" sound as the forks are fully extended.
Do I have a problem with my springs (compressed over time and too short) or is there something else I need to look at?
Thought I'd ask here before dismantling the forks. 
Note:  I have not yet checked oil.
TIA
Andy

[Scott S]

 Are you sure it's the forks and not the steering stem/triple trees? Is the steering stem nut torqued correctly and bearings good?

[AndyH]

Definitely the forks Scott.  Stem nut & bearings all good.

[Deltarider]

My front used to be stone hard, until I changed to Shell Advance 7,5 weight, which happens to be the same viscosity as the prescribed ATF. 10 would seem to be the max and I certainly wouldn't use 20. Multigrade must be a joke as the fluid never ever gets that warm. To my surprise I have read some use motoroil. We were always warned to stay away from that being not compatible.

[AndyH]

My front used to be stone hard, until I changed to Shell Advance 7,5 weight, which happens to be the same viscosity as the prescribed ATF. 10 would seem to be the max and I certainly wouldn't use 20. Multigrade must be a joke as the fluid never ever gets that warm. To my surprise I have read some use motoroil. We were always warned to stay away from that being not compatible.

See my response in the other forum.

[Deltarider]

My front used to be stone hard, until I changed to Shell Advance 7,5 weight, which happens to be the same viscosity as the prescribed ATF. 10 would seem to be the max and I certainly wouldn't use 20. Multigrade must be a joke as the fluid never ever gets that warm. To my surprise I have read some use motoroil. We were always warned to stay away from that being not compatible.

See my response in the other forum.

I always try to be helpful. First sign of helpfulness: read your Owner's Manual. p.73 http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_k1/CB500_K1_3.pdf Furthermore I'm pretty confident you'll find 7,5 w. front fork oil in a motorcycleshop in AUS. I have a clunk sound when I pump my forks. It has always been like that. Could be the locked brake which sound maybe resonates upwards, could be the springs that contact the inner side of the tubes. Who knows? I find it not very useful to comment on what you may hear, simply because I can't hear it here and so are not able to judge it. Also my CB500 front legs almost certainly differ from yours, Sir. Sorry I could not be of more help to you. I can only hope you will accept my humble apologies.

[AndyH]

Hi DR, I appreciate your response, and apologise if some of my remarks appear a bit argumentative.
Of course, in AU we have several fork oil brands, what I was trying to say was that EU brand names may not necessarily be represented in AU.  Motul, Castrol and Penrite are the "local" main players.
I'll go with Penrite 10W and see if that minimises the "clunk" (which appears to be more common than not on these bikes...   ).