GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted May 04, 2002 08:40 AM
Fork oil question
I got my 12 in Nov '00. I have never changed the fork oil. I have started to notice the front end is getting REALLY rough. I'm going to play with the suspension setup later on today, but I'm wondering if fork oil gets "worn out" after a certain amount of time. If so, how often do you folks recommend changing it. I've got some 10wt fork oil, and thats what is called for, should I use the recommended or a different weight? I am rathem (ahem) large, 250lbs, would this make a difference on what weight oil I should put it.
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12RPilot
Pro
Posts: 1094
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posted May 04, 2002 01:03 PM
I have a '00 and I'm about to change mine. I can't remember who it was but someone that recently changed their fork oil said you wouldn't believe the sludge in there. I am staying with the 10 weight since my suspension is set with some adjustment available in both directions (195 lbs. with leathers on).
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted May 04, 2002 01:10 PM
Thanks
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If you love your bike, set it free. If it comes back to you....you probably highsided.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted May 04, 2002 10:01 PM
 Edited By: redelk on 4 May 2002 23:04
Stick with 10 wt.
I tried using 15 wt. and I thought I liked it better. Just switched back to 10 wt. and realized that the only reason I liked the 15 wt. was because I hadn't changed the original oil for over 25K miles!
A couple of "tips"...
1. Loosen the top cap BEFORE you take the forks out of the triple clamp.
2. Pump the damper rod up and down several times to ensure there is no air in the fork valves.
3. Remember to turn the rebound adjuster screws ALL THE WAY OUT ("soft") before putting the caps back on (best to just do it before you take them off).
4. Here's a pic of my handy fork spring compressor. You'll have to do something like this to access the nut on the damper rod that's under the cap.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted May 05, 2002 01:21 PM
Red, I dont think I could use your setup... All that high tech kind of stuff scares me. Thanks for the info tho. I had read an article that recommended using a higher weight oil, dunno now...
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If you love your bike, set it free. If it comes back to you....you probably highsided.
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted May 05, 2002 02:23 PM
GG: i can vouch for the sludge issue, i also flushed my forks with clean oil before putting the final batch in.
do both at same time, set heights at same time... ;P
easier that way.
putting new oil in this week for gIII
was gonna do it last week, but ran out of time
 
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted May 05, 2002 05:01 PM
Will do. First I have to mount some eyebolts into the trusses in the garage to lift the front. Getting tired of borrowing the neighbors engine lift.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted May 05, 2002 08:51 PM
Engine hoist?
Eyebolts in the ceiling? Geez! I just used a pair of jack stands under each of the front corner pair of oil pan bolts. Engine hoists I could trust (back in the "old days", that's what my dealer used to change bike tires), but I don't know about doing the "eyebolts in the ceiling" thing. I guess me using 3 1/2" eyebolts while putting my 7R back together, might have had something to do with it.
Using a front stand to lift up front (while the forks and tire is still on, of course) to put the jack stands under the pan, just seems to be easier for me. What ever works for you is cool. It's just that I'm not to good at doing that "home modification" thing. Really!
OH! I need to clarify something on item #2...
2. Pump the damper rod up and down several times to ensure there is no air in the fork valves.
Of course, this is to be done AFTER you've poured the oil in and BEFORE you measure the level.
... and finally, DON'T BE SLAMMIN' MY REDNECK FORK COMPRESSOR TOOL! Some of us can't be affordin' them high falootin' tools ya buy from that fella in that that fancy truck! Two tie downs and a pair o' bolts about busted my budget! 
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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Rocket J
Zone Head
Goes to water over a dummy!!!
Posts: 602
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posted May 05, 2002 09:44 PM
Well it's kind of private, but we use...
K-Y Jelly. We used to use Astroglide, but she had an allergic... Oh, FORK oil. My bad.
Rocket
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adezx12r
Parking Attendant
Posts: 9
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posted May 06, 2002 06:43 AM
fork oil
Redelk
do them bolts which your tie downs are attached just hang on by being on a angle.
i like it when someone uses their intitiave, propare commpressor probably cost as much as the bike here in u.k.
ade.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted May 06, 2002 11:02 AM
just hagin' on
The bolts I used were old caliper bolts because they had a "lip" on the head. I figured that the strap would hold better. That's also was why I used the bottom part of the strap hook, instead of the hook itself. The bolts might waller out the opening of the hole on the side of the tube a little bit, but it's of no concern.
There are 4 holes in the tube (2 on each side). I turned the tube till the holes were over the side of the cap that's flat, so the bolts will go in deep enough and used the top pair of holes. I do have a few more pics for anyone interested.
I wish I could take credit for the idea, but I can't. I can't find the original thread, but someone else had done it with a single strap and had posted a drawing of it for me. Since I live to do things to overkill, I chose to use 2 straps.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted May 06, 2002 03:32 PM
Yeah, I like the cheap method. I could use the pics if'n you dont mind.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted May 06, 2002 07:06 PM
GG, you got mail
I hope it helps.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted May 06, 2002 08:49 PM
Got it, thanks. I'll attempt it tomorrow.
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If you love your bike, set it free. If it comes back to you....you probably highsided.
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tuusinii
Pro
Posts: 1031
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posted May 07, 2002 11:41 AM
Well couple of months ago I draw that "original" picture and I have to say something about that redelks combination - be careful because also I used first only the bolts but after I opened the bolt it cind of "exploded" and I almost lost one peace. So I figured that I should use something to hold it in one peace and so I used that tighter to sqeeze the rope to that collar. I also used tie-downs that dosen't have those hooks so I could put the rope around the bolts and sqeeze it really tight - it rarely used those bolts - they were there just for security.
Here is still the drawing
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted May 07, 2002 11:47 AM
I need to do this too after 15k but quite frankly taking the forks apart scares the shit out of me and I don't wanna do it...........
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted May 07, 2002 12:37 PM
tuusinii is correct
Using my method DOES HAVE RISKS and I take NO LIABILITY for any damage to the forks or personal injury! There is a posibility that a tie down can slide of the lipped head of the bolt, so choose the bolts wisely and BE CAREFUL! Tighten down each one in small alternating increments and do the same when loosening them.
Better yet, you could use tuusinii method and not worry about it.
Thanks for reposting the drawing tuusinii!
Otis, you got mail.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted May 08, 2002 03:16 AM
Got your mail Red, thank you! I printed it and am going to look it over now.
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