fork oil change

[jake100]

ok stupid question here I want to change the fork oil but at the present time, I don't have the place or equipment to pull them all apart. So I was wondering if I could just use a syringe to inject the oil back in through the drain hole (like you service an outboard motor lower unit)

[Mr Jensee]

Jake if you still have the original springs in the forks it is not hard to pull them down through the upper fairing and open them up. I used some box end wrenches to reach the bolts on the triple tree. Supported the bike front with a chain fall but a scissor car jack will do under the engine. Get the wheel 2 inches off the ground. Pull down on each shock after you remove the fender and wheel. There is a clip on the shock itself at the top and has to be removed (easily by hand) before you can pull the shocks down through the bottom triple tree clamp. Make a compressor for the top cap out of a piece of wood at least a foot long. Put a bolt in it in the middle and screw a nut in the bottom This will serve to remove the cap and inside clip. with this straddle the fork tube and press down with the screw in the board approx. 1/2" and use a small screw driver by someone else to pull out the clip. Once the cap is out you can drain the fork oil remove the spring and filters. I used 10 wt. Honda fork oil in Charlie's Bike while servicing it. I filled it with 390cc of fork oil. Make sure you pull the forks all the way up before you fill it with oil. Reinstall the spring and filters. Reinstall the spacer. put the cap in and compress it down and reinstall the clip. Just reverse the operation putting the fork back in the triple tree.

[voyager55]

Easy spring install & Fork oil change

http://www.abbikeboard.com/jeff/spring/spring.html

[SgtSlag]

To answer your question, directly, I am not sure how you would prevent the syringe's contents from flowing back out, as you inject the oil into the forks.

Tangentially answering your question... You do not need to remove the forks, or disassemble them. Support the engine with a jack; remove the top caps, filter assemblies, and springs; remove the drain screws at the bottom of the tubes, and let it drain out. Remove the supporting jack, and slowly compress the fork tubes/front end, 3 times, to expel as much oil as possible; with the front tire in place, this is as easy as lifting the front fairing up/down -- not terribly difficult, with the bike on the center stand, just be sure to fully extend, and fully compress, the fork tubes.

Replace the Support jack, with the fork tubes fully extended, and re-install the drain screws securely, but do NOT over-tighten them, or you will strip them, and the tubes.

Pour in 390cc of 5 to 15 Wt. Fork Oil, or you can use Dexron III to VI ATF Fluid (equal to 8 Wt. Fork Oil); the newer, more expensive Dexron VI ATF Fluid is fully synthetic, which should last 4 years, instead of 2... Replace the top end bits, check for leaks, and then ride and enjoy yourself.

Fork Oil is uber-expensive because it is super-stable, maintaining its viscosity over a very wide temperature range, and harsh conditions. Dexron ATF Fluid has identical properties. It was used by many bike manufacturers, back in the 1970's and up to modern times. As long as you are comfortable with 8 Wt. Fork Oil, Dexron III is a cheap, reliable, alternative; Dexron VI, fully synthetic, varies widely in price, from $5.99 (Super-Tech brand) to $16+ (Amalie brand), per quart. Cheers!

[Mr Jensee]

On the positive side you only need a bottle and a half to do both forks.

[jake100]

Thanks for the info guys the biggest problem is that I'm in an RV park and they frown on doin maint stuff in the park

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Thanks for the info guys the biggest problem is that I'm in an RV park and they frown on doin maint stuff in the park

If you have or can get access to a small tarp to place under your working area (area of concern) and keep the area as clean as possible, I'm sure it wouldn't be too big of a deal. After all it's not like your doing a complete tear down and rebuild from frame up!
As long as you are respectful to both fellow campers and the environment you should be alright. But first ask the manager and mention any precautionary measures you plan on taking to ensure that they don't get into any trouble with dept. of environmental protection.