How to Change Fork Oil

The fork is losing effectiveness with the use, but as it does so constantly and very slowly you do not realize. Oil changes the returns to its original settings.

Changing fork oil is not exactly easy in most cases. In some old forks, without hydraulic cartridge systems, it is possible to find drainage openings with a screw on the bottom of the bottles, which facilitate the operation, but the current forks require that you remove them from the motorcycle, which represents an extra job and requires having a support so that the motorcycle stays leaning on the pin.

The first operation is to remove the two bars, so you have to remove the front wheel, the mudguard, and the brakes and release both the seat and the steering plate. Therefore a complete set of tools with which to release all this is necessary, besides loosen the top plug. Once the fork is out, you need a tray in which to spill old fluid, cleaning material, measuring and obviously new liquid. A whole work.

Change the fork oil step by step

Step 1.

Removing the fork is the first and most complicated. It is necessary to have a support for the front, axle stands or hanging it from the ceiling with straps. Take advantage to clean the hidden areas and remember to loosen the plug a little before loosening the seat.

Step 2.

The plug is already loose before removing the fork. In the forks that have the adjustment of the hydraulic in the plug not only has to unscrew it, but that the bush has to be removed, and for this you need a specific tool. Then you can remove the dock.

Step 3.

Now grab a tray and slowly pour the contents of the fork. You can place a strainer and watch for the presence of metallic particles. As some fluid will remain in cartridges and valves you have to compress and expand the bar to get everything out.

Step 4.

To fill, if we know the volume of liquid to be put there is nothing more than to take a pipette and measure. The liquid level is something that can be played, because the smaller the air chamber, the more it will harden the fork at the end.

Step 5.

We must overturn the pipette through the top. If you do not have one you can use the liquid bottle marks to control the volume. Then prime the hydraulics, compressing and spreading gently. Leave the fork fully compressed.

Step 6.

You can check the correct volume of the liquid by measuring the height from the top of the fork. You have to do it without the spring and with the fork compressed to the maximum. You can also do it with a normal vernier.