Forecast here is for more snow and rain starting tomorrow so what the heck. I took the K6 out for its maiden voyage. Did 58 miles on a sunny (chilly!) afternoon and it runs really well. 55-65 psi oil pressure on the run and +20 at a hot idle. I did notice an oil track that I hope is just coming from the cam cover. Will check it out tomorrow.
The motorcycle had a weird pogo stick kind of bounce for the first 5-10 miles that seemed to disappear. The Bridgestone Accolade tires had zero miles on them when I picked up this bike. It spent 7-8 years in the back of my shop (covered, warm and dry). I wonder if the front tire had a “flat spot” that eventually pounded out? I also forgot to check tire pressures so it may be a bit hard too.
Great oil PSI!
The 'pogo' feeling in the front end likely came from the inner dampers not yet being filled with the oil. If you check their level now, you will find them about 3.2 ounces low, which is the oil that stays inside the inner damper when the post-3/1972 forks are drained. That's why they are always so messy when the lowers get removed to replace a seal: they are stingy about giving up that inner oil!
This only happens with the forks after the 3/1972 change. The earlier dampers have external oil valving on the fork tube, which lets air into the lower end of the tube when you drain those - and that's why it takes a long time to drain those, as the later ones drain 'quickly' because they are still harboring about 30% of the oil.
Mark…..Thanks for that, explains the “improvement” as I went along. I know I completely dismantled them and really scrubbed all the crud out so they were completely empty. Do you add the “extra” or just leave it?
I have to pump the later (341) fork to drain the oil when doing an oil change.
I found that 175ml in each leg after oil drained and pumped out.
(Measured with fork completely collapsed without springs, 160mm from top.)
Completely dry, more is needed, 60-70ml more/each if I have got it right.
Taking it apart for gator boots replacement (cheap aftermarket has very short life) or oil seal replacement I clean the lowers inside. Flush it with naphta.
Did that this winter on my K2-1975.
Remove the lowers with fender as one package easiest for me. (Wheel off before.)