Filling Fork Oil (twin-shock models)

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

You folks that have done this, how do you do it?

I know it is important to have equal amounts in both sides.

Do you use a giant syringe?  (Feed store?)

How do you compensate for the portion of oil that you cannot get out of the container you are using (syringe or otherwise)?


Thanks!  It is going to get in the mid 40's tomorrow (8C) and I want to get out in the garage!  I'm even getting out of work at a decent hour, tonight!

Going to go home and take an Ambien.  Big day, tomorrow!

[Barry]

I use a dip stick to measure the level. It should be in the range 20mm - 50mm above the damper piston - 40mm work best for me. I used to use a length of 4mm steel rod but with clean oil the level can be difficult to read then I discovered the dipstick from my car has a line at near enough 40mm and with the flat blade the oil level shows up better.

I never been able to get exactly equal levels on both sides first time even using a glass measuring cylinder to dispense so a small syringe with a length of plastic tube attached is useful to remove a little oil from one side and add to the other.

[montmil]

The manuals note a different recommended volume of fork oil for either a simple drain n' refill vs a rebuild with the lower forks totally empty.

I use a large syringe -marked in cc's- from Tractor Supply. To the syringe, I add a short bit of vinyl tubing sized to snug onto the syringe business end. I've been able to fill without making a mess plus the rubber plunger tip inside the syringe's body is tapered; permits complete dispersion of the oil.

Monte

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Thank you Monte - Tractor Supply, one cool hardware store!  (may not be available in England! )

Thanks to Barry, also.  The dipstick sounds like a great idea.

[JDS]

I always use the syringe with a tube. over fill the forks and put the hose down the fork tube the desired depth and suck out the excess. Do the same for each fork leg. But i usually have the depth measurement for the fork first. or fill one with the right amount then check the depth. write down that number someplace for the next time.

you can just make mark on the hose with a marker. alot of times i see people with a 3" round piece of thin wood or aluminum with a whole in the middle that the tube barely slides through. then the just measure the depth with a ruler quick and siffen out to the correct depth
I just picked up a syringe at wallmart for 3 bucks. used it to push the fluid back through the brake system with it. I think it came with a hose but you'll need a longer hose seem like 4 to 5 inches was the depth on the old dirt bikes I worked on.

I have notice over the yrs that when I give mechanical advice. If there is someone there that knows me they always add a disclaimer to that advice. :-/