How much Fork Oil ? - SV650.org

fizzwheel · 03-09-06, 02:18 PM

I have done a search but can't find anything relevant.

The fork seals are blown in my SV and I have a nice patch of fork oil on the floor of my garage.

I've ordered new seals ( Dust & Oil ) for both forks. My question is how much fork oil should I be putting into each fork leg ?

I'm 14 1/2 stone ish, Remember the SV is my winter hack so I dont want to be spending mega money on it. I just want to get it back on the road again. So things like GSXR front ends or new springs are not something I am considering doing. I dont want the bike to handle like a GSXR because I already have one of those

Bike is a K1 SVS, 33,000 on the clock. It was reprung by the previous owner but I dont know what springs were fitted.

Thanks

Fizz

TSM · 03-09-06, 02:30 PM

look on the racetech website

21QUEST · 03-09-06, 03:10 PM

Fizz , a lot of after markek springs have the rates etched on one end of the springs. If not marked on the springs it can be calculated to give you a fairly good idea what you have.

With regards to fork oil if the have been resprung I'll personally run a bit more of an air gap from standard(maybe 5mm to 10mm bigger). Easy enough to add a bit more if the forks using all travel too easily. With higher rated spring you can usaully afford to rund a larger air gap from standard.

10 WT oil should be okay especially with winter coming assumming the the bike wasn't respung for a 400Lbs rider

.

If the guy was a similar weight to you probably springs are like .85-.9 depending on preference. I'm about a 180Lbs clothed and for road .8 or .85 does me nicely.

Cheers
Ben

fizzwheel · 03-09-06, 06:17 PM

Thanks TSM. The ractech website says 130mm of fork oil.

Ben, I was thinking 10WT oil as well. I'm guessing though that any new oil is goign to feel better than it does at the moment. Trouble is I'm spoilt with the GSXR so whatever I do to the bike its still not going to feel like that does hence the reason why I just want to spend as little as possible to get the bike back on the road before they start gritting again.

Also it needs MOT'ing in October and its not going to pass in the state its in at the moment

jambo · 04-09-06, 10:29 AM

Just for the record a T reg '99 Curvey "S" has a stock airgap of 104mm, the whole 99-02 range is between 104mm and 102mm, so the 130mm airgap is probably compensating for the stifer springs. Best make sure you've got them or it'll be even more divey

Good luck!

Jambo

21QUEST · 04-09-06, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

Just for the record a T reg '99 Curvey "S" has a stock airgap of 104mm, the whole 99-02 range is between 104mm and 102mm, so the 130mm airgap is probably compensating for the stifer springs. Best make sure you've got them or it'll be even more divey

Good luck!

Jambo

Correct

Cheers
Ben

jambo · 04-09-06, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21QUEST

Correct

Cheers
Ben

Well I just thought I'd throw in the stock Airgap too

fizzwheel · 04-09-06, 10:40 AM

OK well I still dont understand.

If I was running the bike on standard springs. How much fork oil should I put in ?

As I dont know what springs I've got in there. Would it make sense to start with the amount of oil for standard springs and then add or remove oil from that point.

This is all a bit new to me

04-09-06, 10:46 AM

Fizz, it's not how much you put in, but the height of the air gap *above* the oil as you fill them, that's important. Reckon on best part of half a litre per leg, but it's the air gap you need to keep your eye on. In case it's not already clear (I'm sure it is) you need to get the forks out of the bike to do this. The forks must be upright, fully compressed with no springs in them to set the air gap.

fizzwheel · 04-09-06, 10:49 AM

Oh I see. thats starting to make sense now.

Thanks again

03-09-06, 02:18 PM	#1
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	How much Fork Oil ? I have done a search but can't find anything relevant. The fork seals are blown in my SV and I have a nice patch of fork oil on the floor of my garage. I've ordered new seals ( Dust & Oil ) for both forks. My question is how much fork oil should I be putting into each fork leg ? I'm 14 1/2 stone ish, Remember the SV is my winter hack so I dont want to be spending mega money on it. I just want to get it back on the road again. So things like GSXR front ends or new springs are not something I am considering doing. I dont want the bike to handle like a GSXR because I already have one of those Bike is a K1 SVS, 33,000 on the clock. It was reprung by the previous owner but I dont know what springs were fitted. Thanks Fizz __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

03-09-06, 02:30 PM	#2
TSM The Sick Man Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Peckham.SE.LDN Posts: 4,768	look on the racetech website __________________ OTR: KTM 690 Duke R 2015 Full Akro SIDELINE: Kwak ZX636 A1P 2002, Red, R&G's, Yoshi, Double Bubble Screen GONE: Kwak ZX-7R P1, Full Akro, Undertray, Screen GONE: SV650S K2 Very Bruised & Without Fairing, Motovation Frame Sliders, R&G Ally Sprocket Toe Protector, HEL 2 Line Setup, GSXR K1 600 RWU Forks, Barnett Clutch & Springs, Penske 8981 Shock, Gilles Ti Rearsets, Steel Barends, Scottoiler, AFAM Chain & Sprockets, Twin FIAMM Horns, Skidmarx Bellypan, Full Micron Zeta Steel System, Cut down undertay. Forum Problems & Information / Site Suggestions

03-09-06, 06:17 PM	#4
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Thanks TSM. The ractech website says 130mm of fork oil. Ben, I was thinking 10WT oil as well. I'm guessing though that any new oil is goign to feel better than it does at the moment. Trouble is I'm spoilt with the GSXR so whatever I do to the bike its still not going to feel like that does hence the reason why I just want to spend as little as possible to get the bike back on the road before they start gritting again. Also it needs MOT'ing in October and its not going to pass in the state its in at the moment __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

04-09-06, 10:29 AM	#5
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Just for the record a T reg '99 Curvey "S" has a stock airgap of 104mm, the whole 99-02 range is between 104mm and 102mm, so the 130mm airgap is probably compensating for the stifer springs. Best make sure you've got them or it'll be even more divey Good luck! Jambo __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

04-09-06, 10:40 AM	#8
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	OK well I still dont understand. If I was running the bike on standard springs. How much fork oil should I put in ? As I dont know what springs I've got in there. Would it make sense to start with the amount of oil for standard springs and then add or remove oil from that point. This is all a bit new to me __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

04-09-06, 10:46 AM	#9
chazzyb Guest Posts: n/a	Fizz, it's not how much you put in, but the height of the air gap above the oil as you fill them, that's important. Reckon on best part of half a litre per leg, but it's the air gap you need to keep your eye on. In case it's not already clear (I'm sure it is) you need to get the forks out of the bike to do this. The forks must be upright, fully compressed with no springs in them to set the air gap.

04-09-06, 10:49 AM	#10
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Oh I see. thats starting to make sense now. Thanks again __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

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