Fork Oil

[Fraggle]

79 R65...

How do I change the fork oil? Manual gives me a guide to a complete strip down which I don't want/need to do & I can't see any drain plugs.

Also suggestions/advice on fork oil etc most welcome

[Luca]

Should be a very small bolt on the bottom of each fork leg facing backwards to drain the fluid.  You can add your carefully measured amounts of fork fluid through the hole in the spring retainer up top (once you take the allen bolt out of it).

I use Bel Ray fork oil because my local shop carries it.  $15 a quart, but that's good for two years.  Most important thing is to stick with one brand.  Fork oil weights aren't held to national/international standards like other oils, so Bel Ray's 10weight might be different from somebody elses.

If you're feeling frugal you can use red ATF.

[Barry]

As well as adding the correct volume of oil (190cc) you can check the level using a dipstick down through the filler hole.  It will bottom out on the top of the damper piston and you should read 20 - 50mm of oil on the dipstick. There is some scope in that range for tuning the fork response. 50mm of oil will increase the air spring effect and reduce dive at the expense of a slightly harder ride. 20mm of oil will provide the softest ride at the expense of more dive.