Author Topic: Newb question about fork oil  (Read 1107 times)

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Offline shizzomynizzo

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Newb question about fork oil
« on: December 13, 2009, 03:51:08 pm »
First off, this is the first bike I have actually "worked" on. I have had a few bikes before the sohc, but the only thing I did was plugs and oil.

I have a 74 550 and I am going to change the front fork oil, I see the capacity is 5.5 oz, but do I split this between the two forks, or 5.5 oz in each fork?


Thanks in advance,
Shizz
1974 CB550
1985 XLX Last of the IH
2001 Street Glide

Offline vanillagorilla

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Re: Newb question about fork oil
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2009, 04:16:20 pm »
5.5 in each fork. Also there are specs for draining and filling, as well as filling a dry fork(ie after rebuild). Make sure you are using the proper spec.

Jared
1978 CB750K 1976 Z1 2 Trail 90s

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Newb question about fork oil
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2009, 04:25:13 pm »
5.5 in each fork. The old oil is probably mud, so you may want to fill it ride it and drain to get rid of any crap that got stuck in there.
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Offline shizzomynizzo

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Re: Newb question about fork oil
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2009, 10:29:37 pm »
the seals were replaced not too long ago and work fine, so i am just doing a drain and fill.

I just want to verify the capacity at 5.5 (each) when doing this, no rebuild and not dry.

(74 550)
« Last Edit: December 13, 2009, 10:40:57 pm by shizzomynizzo »
1974 CB550
1985 XLX Last of the IH
2001 Street Glide

Offline Gordon

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Re: Newb question about fork oil
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2009, 10:53:41 pm »
Do yourself a favor and once you have the fork oil at a level that's comfortable for you, get a dowel or thin metal rod and use it as a dipstick to measure the height of the oil in the forks with the front wheel off the ground.  Mark the level of the oil and where the top of the fork is on the dowel, and store it for the next time you change the oil.  Saves having to measure the volume and the worry of how much may or may not have still been in the forks after draining. 

Offline seaweb11

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Re: Newb question about fork oil
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2009, 10:55:32 pm »
Aren't you the clever one ;)

Offline Gordon

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Re: Newb question about fork oil
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2009, 10:58:42 pm »
Aren't you the clever one ;)

Sometimes it's amazing how much effort I'll go through to avoid having to put too much effort into something. ;D