Fork Oil - Amounts?
 

Hi,

I haven't got my manual to hand would anybody know offhand the recommeded amount of fork oil to put in an SV650SK3?

Thanks,

Lawrie

488ml

However, it's important that you check the airgap to double check you've not overfilled with oil. With the fork compressed without the spring, there should be a space of 94mm from the top of the fork to the oil level.

It's probably worth checking the manual to get it straight in your own mind if you're unsure - it's not something you want to get wrong.

I think the 'factory' gap is 104mm for curvy X->K2 models. I'm running mine at 114mm (or thereabouts) for a softer ride.

.
 

the most important measurement is the airgap - if you go by oil volume you will most likely overfill and end up blowing seals.

As F_S say's the airgap is 94mm in the sk3 :wink:

Re: .
 

Eskimo driving round the north pole, car breaks down rings the rac , mechanic has a good look and says to the eskimo

"looks like youve blown a seal!"

eskimo goes, "nah its just ice cream"

ive just done my springs and i left a 100mm air gap, if you leave too small a gap you can blow the seal , if you leave too big an air gap the suspension will be nice and plush till it gets near the max travel and then will go harsh really quick.

Or worse, too small an air gap and you get hydraulic lock.

If the air gap's too big, why would it suddenly go harsh?

Interesting :-k

from what i understand (not much obviously)

oil is harder to compress than air, air compresses faster than oil

when the shock compresses the air compresses more than the oil so this provides the initial damping

as the amount of compression to the air increases the oil starts to increase compression also,
if the air gap is too big alledgedly the shock will feel really plush but as it gets toward its limit of travel it will stiffen up very quickly as the air is fully compressed and the oil fully compresses into the air, the sping will then be taking more of the load and as the spring reaches the max load it makes the ride harsh,

sorry if this makes little sense, now i read it im not sure if i fully understand myself

That makes sense - of course if the suspension is that underdamped it would feel rubbish anyway :wink: