Fork Oil Change - SV650.org

Old Git · 11-03-09, 09:59 PM

Is it possible to replace the fork oil without a complete dismantle of the forks?

Can the tops be removed & the oil siphoned out like petrol from a fuel tank?

I have read numerous threads about changing springs etc.etc. but have neither the confidence, funds, ability or knowledge at this stage, think maybe with an old curvy a fork oil change may help if I can make it a relatively easy job.

Thoughts & comments from experienced spanners will be read with interest.

Thanks OG

fizzwheel · 11-03-09, 10:01 PM

In my albeit limited experience, I dont see how you'd get all the old oil out without taking the forks off the bike and turning them upside down.

If your going to do that, you might as well change the springs whilst you're at it. Spring change isnt a massive job.

11-03-09, 10:02 PM

Yes they can, you can remove the top caps and the oil can be poured out AFAIK. Obviously if you take them out of the yokes...

I wait with eagerness for a spanner person to come along and correct me cos I nay be wrong.

Stu.

yorkie_chris · 11-03-09, 10:12 PM

Yeah just remove the top caps. Pour old oil out.

You only need strip the whole leg if you are doing seals/bushes/whatever.

11-03-09, 10:17 PM

Out of curiousity what oil weights are available as fork oil?

11-03-09, 10:19 PM

5 (prob useless)
10
15
20(for the bigger man, AKA me

)

yorkie_chris · 11-03-09, 10:20 PM

Everything from Red Line clear stuff at 5cSt, to spectro golden american 4 20w50 at 155cSt.

Usual viscosity for SV is a 10w at 30-45cSt. (those viscosities are at 40deg C.)

P.s the w rating doesn't tell you how heavy the actual oil is. There are some "5"s that are higher viscosity than other "10"s.

11-03-09, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Everything from Red Line clear stuff at 5cSt, to spectro golden american 4 20w50 at 155cSt.

Usual viscosity for SV is a 10w at 30-45cSt. (those viscosities are at 40deg C.)

P.s the w rating doesn't tell you how heavy the actual oil is. There are some "5"s that are higher viscosity than other "10"s.

Interesting that.

11-03-09, 10:25 PM

I was told that my Matris cartridge emulator kit was supplied with 7.5 weight oil. There was no indication on the can and am curious to know if the weight exists.

yorkie_chris · 11-03-09, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zunkus

I was told that my Matris cartridge emulator kit was supplied with 7.5 weight oil. There was no indication on the can and am curious to know if the weight exists.

Pj1 fork tuner
Agip
Silkolene pro RSF

All make a 7.5, or most makes you can mix 5w and 10w to get same.

11-03-09, 09:59 PM	#1
Old Git Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Worcester Posts: 460	Fork Oil Change Is it possible to replace the fork oil without a complete dismantle of the forks? Can the tops be removed & the oil siphoned out like petrol from a fuel tank? I have read numerous threads about changing springs etc.etc. but have neither the confidence, funds, ability or knowledge at this stage, think maybe with an old curvy a fork oil change may help if I can make it a relatively easy job. Thoughts & comments from experienced spanners will be read with interest. Thanks OG

11-03-09, 10:01 PM	#2
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Re: Fork Oil Change In my albeit limited experience, I dont see how you'd get all the old oil out without taking the forks off the bike and turning them upside down. If your going to do that, you might as well change the springs whilst you're at it. Spring change isnt a massive job. __________________ 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

11-03-09, 10:02 PM	#3
plowsie Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork Oil Change Yes they can, you can remove the top caps and the oil can be poured out AFAIK. Obviously if you take them out of the yokes... I wait with eagerness for a spanner person to come along and correct me cos I nay be wrong. Stu.

11-03-09, 10:12 PM	#4
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Fork Oil Change Yeah just remove the top caps. Pour old oil out. You only need strip the whole leg if you are doing seals/bushes/whatever. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

11-03-09, 10:17 PM	#5
zunkus Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork Oil Change Out of curiousity what oil weights are available as fork oil?

11-03-09, 10:19 PM	#6
plowsie Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork Oil Change 5 (prob useless) 10 15 20(for the bigger man, AKA me )

11-03-09, 10:20 PM	#7
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Fork Oil Change Everything from Red Line clear stuff at 5cSt, to spectro golden american 4 20w50 at 155cSt. Usual viscosity for SV is a 10w at 30-45cSt. (those viscosities are at 40deg C.) P.s the w rating doesn't tell you how heavy the actual oil is. There are some "5"s that are higher viscosity than other "10"s. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

11-03-09, 10:25 PM	#9
zunkus Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork Oil Change I was told that my Matris cartridge emulator kit was supplied with 7.5 weight oil. There was no indication on the can and am curious to know if the weight exists.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fork oil change	Lucas	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	4	26-05-08 06:41 PM
Fork change (not the same as other threads)	ThEGr33k	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	7	16-06-07 03:44 PM
easy fork oil change	johnnyrod	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	7	24-05-05 02:40 PM
FORK OIL CHANGE - ADVICE	Mr Sensible	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	28	04-02-05 08:30 PM
Front Fork Oil Change	Tris	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	8	20-12-04 05:21 PM