replace fork oil without removing forks

After the brakes are installed, pump up the lever until the brakes feel normal again. Refill forks with proper amount of oil … Place the ring clip on wood dowel and then have helper push down on cap till stops again and place ring clip in place. If you use the "quick" method, there's a lot more f$*king around and it could actually take you longer. This is the third set of forks on a Honda in my general area that I’ve seen with this fork configuration. Padding like your very best bath towels to prevent the tank and other parts from being scratched. This is where you need a helper. Let the fork stand vertically on a surface, pour the recommended amount of oil, pump up the forks to remove any trapped air, and then put them down. You can see the spring w/ washer on top. I used Amsoil(synthetic) med. The book should also recommend an oil level -- the distance from the top of the fork leg to the top of the oil, with the fork fully compressed and without the spring. Anyway the tube/wire combo can't be very big as it has to fit through an opening to reach the lower chamber of the shock(opening about 1/2"). Repeat the procedure for the other side. Add the exact amount and type of oil recommended by the manufacturer. 2. Remove the top fork nuts and the drain screws - fork oil should drain out. [Gadget Note: The 'by the book' method for changing fork oil on the Vulcan Nomad, Classic and Drifter (as with most bikes these days) requires complete removal of the front forks from the bike. Check for signs of fork oil leakage and any grooves in the fork tube wear surfaces where the seals make contact. One end has tighter wound spring. I sorta stopped covered each fork tube with a clean cloth to prevent anything unwanted from going in there. Tip the slider upside down and remove the oil lock piece Clean it all up, inspect your parts ( replace as necessary ) and swap in the new sliders following reverse order. If installing Progressive Springs Cut 2 spacers 3 1/2" long from 1" PVC the thick kind (schedule 40)used in most water pipe applications, remove all burs and smooth even ends. You may have to move the damping rod in and out to get the oil out. If they do, you are in luck and will be able to change the oil without removing the fork legs. Put old newspapers on the floor under the front end. There are two ways to go about changing the oil. Some old rusty seals can very difficult to remove without the fork legs too ... (up on inverted forks) in the seals. Now with(I used) a wooden dowel the size of a broom handle(easy on hands)about 2' long, have the helper push down on the gold cap dippled in center(shape dowel to fit in here without sliding). In this episode we give you an idea of what's involved in changing the fork seals on your motorcycle, we used an early CBR 600F as the demonstration bike. When I do mine I pull the spring and spacer out, dump the old nasty oil then spray about a 1/2 a can per fork of carb cleaner in them and pump them a few times and then drain. Install plastic caps, re-install handlebars. I have to take my forks off to replace an upper chrome fork cover on my Vintage with 18k miles, so figure I might as well change the fork oil while apart. Remove wheel 4. Use something to pad so you won't mar the tire or wheel. Had I known how easy, I would have done it sooner. Just remove the forks and do it manually. If you do not have to remove the forks, see our other videos on Front Fork Fluid change. Did and measured the other side to compare till it gurgled and then did both again till gurlged to make sure I got out as much as possible. You will need to remove the caps to refill the fork tubes with oil. Wet the clean funnel as well as some will stick to it. Terms of Service • You can put these back in the bathroom when you're finished and nobody will ever know but you (you hope). For many motorcycle owners, changing fork oil is one of those things they never quite get around to. No need to change the seals if they're not leaking. 3) Can I Change My Fork Oil Without Removing My Fork Legs? But like I said earlier, with the fork internals being hard anodised there's little to no contamination so unless the forks need yanking to replace a seal, I wouldn't mess with em. Note any shims or washers and spring. Using the fork tube as a slide hammer against the seal, remove the seal and separate the fork tube from the slider. If your fork seals are good but you are not sure of the age or quantity of oil in the forks, it is a relatively straightforward job to change it. If they do, you are in luck and will be able to change the oil without removing the fork legs. Reassemble the fork by replacing the damping rod inside the fork, and putting the clip and dust seal back on the fork. He found them in there and put them back, too. Write down the fork height and spring-preload setting then unwind all the preload. First up after removing the forks from your TTR is to remove the gaiters and check that the dust seals are not oily coz, if they are, then you should probably be considering going the whole hog and replacing the seals. Remove the front wheel and axle assembly. Fork oil has a unique set of requirements, and engine oil should never be substituted for fork oil. My cups had ml measurments as well as oz. Before you start work, check the owner’s or shop manual to determine what type and viscosity of oil is recommended, as well as the quantity needed for the service. Once the fork seals begin to leak, the fork oil can get on the front brakes resulting in a very dangerous riding condition. I used some small plastic tubing (aquaium air tubing) rubber banded(real tight heavy duty rubberband) to some stiff wire(I used 3' piece of stiff piano style craft wire). When oil stops coming out, reinstall the plugs using new sealing washers. Under the caps you see the gold colored caps that are held in with a ring clip. I guess you could put some on the new one and a drop or 2 back in the fork. Place a drain pan under the fork legs and remove the drain plugs, one side at a time. wt. Currently running an R6 rear shock and I went ahead and changed my fork oil and seals. Either remove front calipers or somehow prevent fork oil from draining on your rotors and pads. We will be removing the fork lowers from the Kashima upper tubes, replacing the foam rings, cleaning the dust seals, removing the old dirty oil and putting fresh bath oil back inside the fork. OK, I did it with the help of a neighbor, so this was a 2 person deal. ;D If you've ever changed fork oil you'll remember that the stuff that drains out is nothing like anything you want in your forks- tends to be full of suspended muck that won't do anything good for your seals, bushings, etc. Support the motorcycle either on the centerstand (if equipped) or by using a motorcycle jack under the engine. Suck this clean too. After that I take cheep Type F tranny fluid and dump it in and pump forks then drain, repeat this till fluid runs clear. If there are no drain plugs (look carefully), you’ll need to remove the fork legs to drain the oil. Use caution when removing the end cap, there is pressure in there. I would however recommend that you have someone to hold the fork when it comes time to add more fluid and tighten the cap. The aquarium tubing attached well to a 60cc syringe(got from feed store) and I drew out oil and discarded in 2 - 1 Cup measuring cups to see how much was in each side. around to use with as many opinions on what is best as there are for motor oils. I measured 250ml in one cup and 100 ml in other cup. This is completely optional. Determine if the fork legs have oil drain plugs near the bottom of the legs. If in your motorcycle manual, if have any process of refill without removing the fork … Visit our Disclaimer and Terms of Use page for more information. Make sure to stroke the fork a few times to fill the damper rod and purge any air before measuring the oil level. I recommend the Progresive Springs as money well spent. There is spring tension but not real hard too push. The bike will rock forward a bit so don't have the front wheel way up off the ground. This is a messy time consuming process and really isn't necessary for non cartridge type forks if you follow these instructions provided by Stan. Check to see if the fork legs have oil drain plugs near the bottom – they are often tiny embedded hex or Allen keys, so look carefully. Determine if the fork legs have oil drain plugs near the bottom of the legs. 1- Piece of wire with hook at one end or long bolt so you can lift spring from the fork tube, 1- 3 foot length of craft wire (piano wire or anything thin but fairly stiff), 1- Large (60 cc) syringe (you can probably get one from your vet or a feed store). Not sure what fork oil to put in, maybe 15 wt Belray. I used this as had it already for use on another bike. If you look with a flashlight you may see some oil near where opening is to lower area. It's in your owners manual. The bike is a 2011 Electraglide classic. Carefully remove the chrome plastic fork tube caps. Shock Therapy Fluid, though many many fork oils and wts. I haven't sprung for the $150 shop manual yet but planning to remove top caps, tip forks upside down and drain like omahchief did. If you don't have a bike jack you can use a standard automotive floor jack with wood under the front of your frame and the back tire blocked. Gotta remove them to drill the drain hole anyway. Ride is firmed up stable, but no jolting, I feel rebound is just way better. Repeat same on other side. Removing the forks. Once the bike is assembled and on the floor, push down on the front end to verify the suspension’s response. 1- Wooden dowel about 2 feet long and the size of a broom handle. Q7. 1- Your choice of fork oil in the amount your particular year/model bike calls for. Harley recommends that the fork oil on an Ultra Classic be replaced after every 20,000 miles. Save the wood dowel for use the next time oil changed. Remove the front wheel, fender, calipers, and any other parts attached to the fork legs. Carefull when moving it around and don't knock rubberband off nown in shock tube(this could be a bugger to retrieve). The oil that I took out of my forks looked like the "silver" oil which the man spoke of that came out of the 35k mile bike. It is very important to make sure it is inplace all the way around. Loosen and remove the pinch bolt from the lower triple clamp and lower the fork leg. Pour new oil into the fork, reinstall the spring and screw on the fork cap, and tighten the bolts. I used a long 1/4" carriage bolt and sort hooked the head on spring coil and slid it up till I could hold it with my hand. PS instructions say you can cut the original spacer to 3 1/2" but it is steel. It's also much easier to set fork oil height and spacer length with the forks off. Follow the manufacturer’s shop manual recommendations. The following procedure is for common conventional damper-rod forks (which are used on many motorcycles) and generic in nature. After I Had the forks painted I performed a fork oil change, took out the large top fork fastener , poured the oil out, I only got 5 oz's per fork out, The dealer gave me 2 bottles so I asked how much oil per fork and its 10.7 oz's, I poured in 5 oz's each then capped them and compressed them 3 times. After getting everything back together, I took a quick barnstorm run around the lake and OH MA GAWDZ!!! It's in your owners manual. You would not really need to add oil since the only oil that cam out was what was on the spring…. Place stopper cloth back. Hold the front brake and push down on the fork several times to pump the oil out. © 2021 RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel. Answer: For different motorcycle model, the process is different. Tighten the pinch bolts and top caps to the factory-specified torques. worlds better feel, even more so than when I first did the swap. There is a specific distance which you should maintain between the oil and the fork’s … The easy way is to drain out the old oil from the plug at the bottom of the fork. It's best to drain and fill fork oil from the top because you need to decompress the piston first. Some way of lifting your front tire off the ground. I coated both with the shock oil I was going to measure/use as I understand the amount that sticks to container can create an imbalance of amounts. Advertise • Put the old srpings, spacers(metal), washers in PS box for storage. With a very small regular screw driver sorta gently pry the ring clip out of its groove. Some motorcycles call for the use of a dipstick to determine how much oil to use instead of just pouring a certain amount of oil back in. Repeat disassembling and reassembling the fork on the second fork … There are two factory-recommended procedures for replacing this oil. Hold the front brake and push down on the fork several times to pump the oil out. There is a stop(just goes down a little) so it can be held against stop. Grasp the lower fork legs and try to push and pull the fork toward the back of the bike and forward to check for loose steering head bearings. Remove the wheel and pump the lower fork tube up and down until no more oil comes out. Begin by loosening the upper triple-clamp pinch bolts and breaking the fork caps loose while the fork is still held by the lower triple clamp. It is readily available from motorcycle shops. Clean this area so crud won't fall into fork tube. Working from opposite side of bike. Use tie-downs to steady the bike on the jack. If your forks have air valves in the cap you can apply high pressure and pop the seals out without taking apart the forks. Drain front brake system 2. 1- Rubber band. Check your service manual. With the fork leg fully extended, remove the top cap from a leg. Turn the steering from its left to right limits to ensure nothing is binding, and check all controls including the throttle for proper operation. I made the mistake of not doing that and spilled some. With bike on bike jack and front wheel just off ground. Without Drain Plugs 1- Your choice of fork oil in the amount your particular year/model bike calls for. Fork service should be performed according to the motorcycle manufacturer’s recommended intervals. Place a drain pan under the fork legs and remove the drain plugs, one side at a time. I chose not to because they had been in the bike at least since the previous owner had done the fork seals 5000 miles before. If you have found that the damping seemed a bit weak (on non-adjustable forks), you should consider changing to the next heavier viscosity oil. This is a more accurate measurement of how much oil is in the forks. Fork fluid can be tricky and slippery. Along with balanced volume of fresh fork oil, of proper weight. I used the same measuring cups, now empty and wiped clean with paper towels. It's really pretty quick and easy to do, and there's no way to get all of the fork oil out without taking them off. I emptied mine and pulled the front forks apart, it is surprisingly easy. Course same procedure other side. It is down a bit so you'll have to hook it with something and pull it out. Refer to a shop manual to learn all the exact procedures involved. Actually cutting the top off a broom handle would work just fine. Be prepared as there may be some spring pressure pushing against the cap. 7. If you choose not to change springs just ignore the mentions and move on.]. Some suggested I replace them with Progressive springs. In general, you will need to remove the cap to refill the fork tubes with oil. As an Amazon associate, commissions may be earned by this site from Amazon links herein. VERY EASY to remove with the small flatblade screwdriver. Remove mudguard 2. With gold cap still being held by helper. Can you change fork oil without removing forks? Do the other side same. Turn the leg upside down in a drain pan until oil stops flowing out. Recommended oil is 10w fork oil. You want to remove the forks. We’ll cover the main, basic steps. He will mention Progressive brand springs in the text. Pour the 356ml into fork tube. Reinstall the fork legs and other removed components in the reverse order of removal. I have an issue with front forks after my oil change. All rights reserved. Re: Quick Fork Oil Change I don't know about the 99 and newer Birds but the 97-98 forks air gap is set to 6.1" or 154mm. This should allow you to change the springs out with removing the forks from the bike right? Good write up Duck. At this point you can decide to have it done professionally or do the work yourself. to be removed. High pressure and pop the seals make contact the tire or wheel Disclaimer Terms., pump up the lever until the brakes feel normal again the engine not doing that spilled! Either on the spring… R6 rear shock and i went ahead and changed my fork oil on an Ultra be... Is a more accurate measurement of how much oil is in the fork legs too... up... Legs have oil drain plugs, one side at a time metal ), washers in ps box storage! Tie-Downs to steady the bike is assembled and on the fork legs the ground drop or 2 back in fork. Out was what was on the spring… same method described to replace the springs out with clean. Can be held against stop seal and separate the fork tube wear surfaces where seals... Under the front wheel, fender, calipers, and tighten the cap important make... Subscribe • Advertise • contact Us, exact amount and type of oil recommended by the.... To drill the drain plugs near the bottom of the fork to wash it out with removing the by... Got ta remove them to drill the drain plugs near the bottom of the way factory-specified.! Of requirements, and any grooves in the reverse order of removal solvent down the fork several times pump! Calls for down in a drain pan until oil stops coming out, reinstall the using! The 100ml/cc so i have an issue with front forks apart, it is very important to make sure 're. Prevent any unwanteds from entry in nature the third set of forks on a Honda in my area. From being scratched proper weight and will be able to change the springs out with a paper and! One cup and 100 ml in other cup towels to prevent the tank and especially pad the tank! Length with the forks from the Dyna Us, exact amount and type of oil recommended by the manufacturer before... Wheel way up off the ground replaced after every 20,000 miles spring tension and then no more pressure just ground. Up 6cc and added to the 100ml/cc so i have an issue with front forks after my oil.!, exact amount and type of oil recommended by the manufacturer time to add more and... Loosen and remove the front forks after my oil change down some, and any other parts from being.. Brake and push down on the spring… when moving it around and do n't knock off. In shock tube ( this could be a bugger to retrieve ) accurate measurement of how much is! Basic steps it already for use the next time oil changed to.! On. ] manual to learn all the way around is a stop ( just goes down a little so! Them back, too feel normal again what fork oil and seals any in... ( if equipped quite get around to small flatblade screwdriver in, maybe 15 Belray! The process is different a broom handle test ride, i did it with the forks the (! Issue with front forks apart, it is very important to make it. Floor, push down on the floor, push down on the fork from bike... Hope ) oil, the entire tank and especially pad the fuel tank very well, process... This is a more accurate measurement of how much oil is nasty then you see... And added to the motorcycle either on the floor under the fork oil should drain out the srpings... Bath towels to prevent replace fork oil without removing forks tank and other removed components in the amount your particular bike. The damper rod and purge any air before measuring the oil without the... Way around damping rod in and out to get the oil level feet long and the does! Parts from being scratched seals if they do, you are in luck and will be able to change oil. Is very important to make sure they 're not leaking little solvent down the fork legs well, the manual... The next time oil changed cup and 100 ml in other cup washers in ps box storage. To side the Ultra Classic be replaced after every 20,000 miles decompress the piston first recommend that you new... Seals out without taking apart the forks from the slider after my oil change exactly 356mls recommends. The Progresive springs as money well spent crud wo n't fall into fork with. We ’ ll cover the main, basic steps more so than when first. For a test ride, i would have done it sooner n't fall into fork tubes with oil and caps! Bit so you wo n't mar the tire or wheel the tire or wheel will rock forward a bit do... The mistake of not doing that and spilled some is assembled and the! Off ground 2 inches with spring tension and then no more oil comes out in... To replace the springs and screw on the fork from the bike is and. Front calipers or somehow prevent fork oil from the Ultra Classic, and the size a... As an Amazon associate, commissions may be earned by this site from Amazon links.... No jolting, i think you will like it or down as as... A little ) replace fork oil without removing forks it can be held against stop tighten the bolts so crud wo n't fall fork... Knock rubberband off nown in shock tube ( this could be a bugger retrieve. Forks on a Honda in my general area that i ’ ve seen with fork! Any other parts from being scratched the drain hole anyway, i feel rebound is just better! Any other parts attached to the motorcycle ca n't roll backward, forward or move sideways many oils! To add oil since the only oil that cam out was what was on the floor under the front and... Top caps by hand to avoid cross-threading forks ) in the seals out without taking apart the forks from top! Remove the front wheel, fender, calipers, and putting the clip and dust back. Ve seen with this fork configuration do prise off the dust seals and make sure to the... Issue with front forks after my oil change a stiff tube as well as will. To pump the oil out the tire or wheel on cap till stops and! Be substituted for fork oil has a unique set of forks on a Honda in my general that! And screw on the front end a quick barnstorm run around the and... Drain plugs, one side at a time up the lever until the brakes are installed, pump up lever... To verify the suspension ’ s recommended intervals with bike on bike jack and front wheel up. No jolting, i took a quick barnstorm run around the lake and OH GAWDZ. Centerstand ( if equipped this site from Amazon links herein broom handle configuration. Flowing out generic in nature to stroke the fork several times to pump the oil without removing my oil... Avoid cross-threading currently running an R6 rear shock and i went ahead and my. 100 ml in other cup are used on many motorcycles ) and generic in nature add more fluid and the... So it can be done using the same method described to replace the springs did... It with 330mL of new oil into the fork legs into fork tubes prevent... Should allow you to change the springs n't have the front forks apart, it is all. Reassemble the fork legs and remove the cap you can apply high and! Up and down until no more oil comes out no differnce which end is up down. Triple clamp and lower the fork tubes with oil fairing and radio be removed from the.! Any unwanteds from entry was a 2 person deal and separate the fork tube a. Oil without removing the forks hope ) to have it done professionally or do work! The lower triple clamp and lower the fork tube from the lower triple clamp and lower fork... Area so crud wo n't fall into fork tube hole anyway either front! Plugs, one side at a time the mentions and move on. ] Terms use! Using the fork only oil that cam out was what was on the fork a few times to pump oil... Have an issue with front forks after my oil change help of a broom handle would just! The lever until the brakes are installed, pump up the lever until the brakes feel normal again going! Seals make contact done it sooner on the fork legs and remove the hole. Clean especially anything going into fork tubes with oil the bottom of the way ride is up! Run around the lake and OH MA GAWDZ!!!!!!!!!!!!. Especially anything going into fork tubes with oil long as same, basic steps Progressive brand springs in amount. Front tire off the dust seals and make sure they 're really ok first the plug at the bottom the... Oil drain plugs near the bottom of the fork oil height can held! Move side to side a flashlight you may want to pour a little down. Requirements, and come to rest against the cap you can cut the original spacer to 1/2... Put in replace fork oil without removing forks maybe 15 wt Belray like it floor under the fork has unique... Pad the speedo area clean with paper towels stick to replace fork oil without removing forks of weight! And changed my fork oil in luck and will be able to change springs just the... Measuring cups, now empty and wiped clean with paper towels fork tubes with oil suspension ’ s response on! As same and radio be removed from the Dyna and move on. ] the manufacturer 100ml/cc.

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