SRAD fork oil change

[SMOKEU]

I'm thinking about getting the fork oil replaced on my GSXR600. Anyone know which weight oil I should buy for normal road riding? Would 2L be enough since the old oil has to be flushed out?

[nzmikey]

Watching ... :corn:

[SVboy]

Do it yourself. Get a manual-that will tell what weight oil and what air gap. Do a full fork strip-some specialist tools needed, and clean the internals properly. Get seals replaced[by shop at same time] The cost of the tools-spring compresser, cartridge bleeder, jam nut holder, and oil level syringe will be about half the cost of getting it done professionally. Doing mine [k6 600] as we speak!

[willytheekid]

Go see Roger again mate :yes:

He won't charge ya too much (aprox $150 ish), and he will do a bloody good job of it (he will clean them out properly, clear all the inner baffles etc and check the springs etc...so you get much more than just an oil change)
....without the proper tools, it can be a messy frustrating job mate, and one you really don't want to fuck up!

Roger just rebuilt the front end on the VFR...blown headset bearings and the whole front end was twisted and out of line....now shes tracks like its on rails! :niceone: (And the premature flat spotting on the front tyre has stopped)


...go see roger!

[SMOKEU]

Do it yourself. Get a manual-that will tell what weight oil and what air gap. Do a full fork strip-some specialist tools needed, and clean the internals properly. Get seals replaced[by shop at same time] The cost of the tools-spring compresser, cartridge bleeder, jam nut holder, and oil level syringe will be about half the cost of getting it done professionally. Doing mine [k6 600] as we speak!


Go see Roger again mate :yes:

He won't charge ya too much (aprox $150 ish), and he will do a bloody good job of it (he will clean them out properly, clear all the inner baffles etc and check the springs etc...so you get much more than just an oil change)
....without the proper tools, it can be a messy frustrating job mate, and one you really don't want to fuck up!

Roger just rebuilt the front end on the VFR...blown headset bearings and the whole front end was twisted and out of line....now shes tracks like its on rails! :niceone: (And the premature flat spotting on the front tyre has stopped)


...go see roger!

It's something that I want done properly first time round, so I think I will see Roger as it's beyond the scope of my knowledge and I don't want to fuck it up (which I will). Are the fork seals and dust seals different things? I thought I'd get the parts myself to save Roger time, so which ones on here http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xg sxr+srad+fork+seals&_nkw=gsxr+srad+fork+seals&_sacat=0&_from=R40 should I buy?

[willytheekid]

It's something that I want done properly first time round, so I think I will see Roger as it's beyond the scope of my knowledge and I don't want to fuck it up (which I will). Are the fork seals and dust seals different things? I thought I'd get the parts myself to save Roger time, so which ones on here http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xg sxr+srad+fork+seals&_nkw=gsxr+srad+fork+seals&_sacat=0&_from=R40 should I buy?

Roger can get the parts faster and probably cheaper to be honest mate...knowing him, he will probably find better than stock parts, and for a cheaper price! lol

[SMOKEU]

Roger can get the parts faster and probably cheaper to be honest mate...knowing him, he will probably find better than stock parts, and for a cheaper price! lol

He said it's not really worth replacing the seals unless they're leaking, but I might as well get him to replace them anyway while the bike is there and the oil is being changed since I'm looking at keeping the bike for a while now.

[tigertim20]

He said it's not really worth replacing the seals unless they're leaking, but I might as well get him to replace them anyway while the bike is there and the oil is being changed since I'm looking at keeping the bike for a while now.

seals are cheap, youre right to replace them anyway if youre pullin them apart. fork seal and dust cap are different. dust cap goes over the seal to protect dirt from getting into it and degrading it. last time I bought fork seals, they came with new dust caps. bout $35 I think

[AllanB]

Whom is this Roger based Christchurch person one speaks of?

[SMOKEU]

Whom is this Roger based Christchurch person one speaks of?

http://yellow.co.nz/y/road-race-motorcycle

[SVboy]

I suggest you pay the extra for genuine suzuki seals. Fork seals sit inside the bottom of your fixed outer fork leg. The dust seal is the visible rubber seal right at the bottom of the fixed outer and holds out dust and big debris. My costs-Ohlins 5w oil-$45 2 dust seals $50 approx. I stripped and cleaned the forks. Duane of Duanes bikes n skis removed and fitted up the new seals-$60.[I dont have a seal driver]. Definitely you need tools to do the job. I applaud you for getting it done-so many dont-until seals leak.

[Drew]

Do people realise on here, that the 600 has conventional forks and the 750 runs USD items in SRAD Gixxers?

On the 600, it's a piece of piss to do a fluid change. Fuck, the forks don't even need to come apart if the spanner jockey uses his bonce.

[Drew]

I suggest you pay the extra for genuine suzuki seals. Fork seals sit inside the bottom of your fixed outer fork leg. The dust seal is the visible rubber seal right at the bottom of the fixed outer and holds out dust and big debris. My costs-Ohlins 5w oil-$45 2 dust seals $50 approx. I stripped and cleaned the forks. Duane of Duanes bikes n skis removed and fitted up the new seals-$60.[I dont have a seal driver]. Definitely you need tools to do the job. I applaud you for getting it done-so many dont-until seals leak.Suzuki genuine are usually cheaper than after market ones, and better quality. Mind, doesn't need to be very good to out perform that all balls shit.

I used Suzuki branded seals in my FZR. Cheapest way to buy them, same size as SV650.

[gammaguy]

Do people realise on here, that the 600 has conventional forks and the 750 runs USD items in SRAD Gixxers?

On the 600, it's a piece of piss to do a fluid change. Fuck, the forks don't even need to come apart if the spanner jockey uses his bonce.

Unless you actually want to clean the internal parts...

[Drew]

Unless you actually want to clean the internal parts...A flush with clean oil is cheaper than labour to pull them out, then apart.

Done regularly, the old fluid shouldn't have fuck all contaminants in it other than water...And that shit starts getting in to the fluid as soon as you crack the seal on the bottle it's coming out of.

[gammaguy]

A flush with clean oil is cheaper than labour to pull them out, then apart.

Done regularly, the old fluid shouldn't have fuck all contaminants in it other than water...And that shit starts getting in to the fluid as soon as you crack the seal on the bottle it's coming out of.

I've rebuilt more forks in my time than many and the main contaminant I found was actually from the bushes where they rub on metal parts and a small amount of rust and water

I suspect Mr Taylor will be along shortly to confirm this

[Drew]

I've rebuilt more forks in my time than many and the main contaminant I found was actually from the bushes where they rub on metal parts and a small amount of rust and water

I suspect Mr Taylor will be along shortly to confirm thisIf there's no play, then a flush with clean fluid will get rid of most of the bush dust and everything should be fine.

I'm all for people changing fluid in their suspension as often as their motors. I just don't think that it needs to be quite so costly as a shop might charge.

On right way up forks in particular. (Even though contemporary convention is upside down....so right way up would now be upside down).

[SVboy]

If there's no play, then a flush with clean fluid will get rid of most of the bush dust and everything should be fine.

I'm all for people changing fluid in their suspension as often as their motors. I just don't think that it needs to be quite so costly as a shop might charge.

On right way up forks in particular. (Even though contemporary convention is upside down....so right way up would now be upside down).

I totally agree with this-it is straight forward to do a fluid change on GSXR 600/750 k6 on usd forks, and doing it regularly means you dont have to fully strip forks as often. And yes-doing it yourself is a lot cheaper and encourages you to do it more often. Pity servicing REAR shocks is not so straight forward........

[SMOKEU]

Pity servicing REAR shocks is not so straight forward........

Which is something my Ohlins rear shock probably needs doing next. Is it worth buying some sort of rebuild kit on eBay for the rear shock?

[AllanB]

Which is something my Ohlins rear shock probably needs doing next. Is it worth buying some sort of rebuild kit on eBay for the rear shock?

I change the fork fluid on my Horny - easy job, just take your time and pump out the old stuff. Something I'll do every three years or so must be close to replacing again and it will be a good excuse for me to use that spiffy fork oil measuring tool I picked up some time back :niceone:

Rear - I'd contact Mr Taylor for a quote and book it in as $ and time permits. He will have all the parts on hand and it will come back feeling new after he has 'fettled' it.

[SVboy]

I change the fork fluid on my Horny - easy job, just take your time and pump out the old stuff. Something I'll do every three years or so must be close to replacing again and it will be a good excuse for me to use that spiffy fork oil measuring tool I picked up some time back :niceone:

Rear - I'd contact Mr Taylor for a quote and book it in as $ and time permits. He will have all the parts on hand and it will come back feeling new after he has 'fettled' it.


This is good advice.

[SMOKEU]

My workshop manual says "use # 10 oil" for the fron forks. This is the same as 10W, right? For normal road riding there's no need to go for a different grade is there?

[Drew]

My workshop manual says "use # 10 oil" for the fron forks. This is the same as 10W, right? For normal road riding there's no need to go for a different grade is there?
Here's where it gets tricky. The weight of the oil is not the important one to watch for.

What you actually want to use for working out what oil to use, is the centistoke rating. http://mahonkin.com/~milktree/motorcycles/fork-oil.html is a great chart for fork oils.

Knowing what rating you want, is where the good doctor Bob comes in.

[Robert Taylor]

I totally agree with this-it is straight forward to do a fluid change on GSXR 600/750 k6 on usd forks, and doing it regularly means you dont have to fully strip forks as often. And yes-doing it yourself is a lot cheaper and encourages you to do it more often. Pity servicing REAR shocks is not so straight forward........

Given the number of people out there with the finesse of an elephant Id say its just as well they are not as easy..............

[willytheekid]

Given the number of people out there with the finesse of an elephant Id say its just as well they are not as easy..............

And given the fact that Smoku asked for help to change a broken front brake lever a few weeks back, Im absolutely amazed that some on here think its wise to guild him through a front fork rebuild!..when he has, no tools!, no mechanical experiance and an old bike that has repeatedly proven the importance of regular maintenance!, and more so, the effects of NOT doing regular maintenance!
Those forks WILL be a bloody mess inside due to lack of maintenance and age of the bike, just go see rodger and ask him to walk you through the fork rebuild while he does it...he's a nice guy and will happily do so if you ask, and watching an experianced mechanic do a COMPLETE clean out, flush and rebuild would be the best way to learn whats actually involved.
No offence to Smoku, but if a simple brake level replacement resulted in a call for help....then a fork rebuild is not the next step in the do-it yourself learning curve, you assemble them wrong or damage shit during the repair process...its gonna either hurt!, or cost a shit load to get fixed afterwards.


...yes, to those of us with some spanner experiance a fork oil swap out is not that challenging, but to a young chap with little to NO experiance...sorry team, gotta disagree with the "encouragement" thus far
...Im just looking out for the kids safety...not his wallet!

[Robert Taylor]

And given the fact that Smoku asked for help to change a broken front brake lever a few weeks back, Im absolutely amazed that some on here think its wise to guild him through a front fork rebuild!..when he has, no tools!, no mechanical experiance and an old bike that has repeatedly proven the importance of regular maintenance!, and more so, the effects of NOT doing regular maintenance!
Those forks WILL be a bloody mess inside due to lack of maintenance and age of the bike, just go see rodger and ask him to walk you through the fork rebuild while he does it...he's a nice guy and will happily do so if you ask, and watching an experianced mechanic do a COMPLETE clean out, flush and rebuild would be the best way to learn whats actually involved.
No offence to Smoku, but if a simple brake level replacement resulted in a call for help....then a fork rebuild is not the next step in the do-it yourself learning curve, you assemble them wrong or damage shit during the repair process...its gonna either hurt!, or cost a shit load to get fixed afterwards.


...yes, to those of us with some spanner experiance a fork oil swap out is not that challenging, but to a young chap with little to NO experiance...sorry team, gotta disagree with the "encouragement" thus far
...Im just looking out for the kids safety...not his wallet!


AND OTHER ROAD USERS IN THE PATH OF BADLY MAINTAINED / DANGEROUS VEHICLES. If anyone ( not targeting any one person ) is silly enough to risk their own well being or even life through abysmal maintenance etc then there is no hope for them. But its the innocent road users in their path that I would feel sorry for. I also wonder aloud how much of said nonsense has over the years conspired to ramp up ACC levies? It easy in that respect to blame the Government and everyone else when clearly the motorcycle community at large has plenty of its own failings.....

I beg to differ a little about fork oil changes and inspection etc. Especially with cartridge type forks. The devil is very much in the detail and I make no apologies in saying that experience is everything. As is having a high degree of finesse and not cutting corners

[Robert Taylor]

Which is something my Ohlins rear shock probably needs doing next. Is it worth buying some sort of rebuild kit on eBay for the rear shock?

You will pay more that way. Rebuild parts for Ohlins here in NZ are cheap and you get to support locals who plough their small profits back into the local community, for the good of the local community.

[willytheekid]

AND OTHER ROAD USERS IN THE PATH OF BADLY MAINTAINED / DANGEROUS VEHICLES. If anyone ( not targeting any one person ) is silly enough to risk their own well being or even life through abysmal maintenance etc then there is no hope for them. But its the innocent road users in their path that I would feel sorry for. I also wonder aloud how much of said nonsense has over the years conspired to ramp up ACC levies? It easy in that respect to blame the Government and everyone else when clearly the motorcycle community at large has plenty of its own failings.....

I beg to differ a little about fork oil changes and inspection etc. Especially with cartridge type forks. The devil is very much in the detail and I make no apologies in saying that experience is everything. As is having a high degree of finesse and not cutting corners

+1

Ive gotta give it to smoku, he bought an aging sport bike that had obviously had a...well used life...and he's got the thing nearly all sorted!, from swing arm bearings, engine and carbs all sorted and list goes on and on...hes done bloody well! :niceone:

Its a really nice bike, and he's a nice guy, hence I don't want things to go pear shaped, so I firmly believe he should learn some of the more useful daily mechanical skills such as general maintenance etc, before even attempting such things as front fork rebuilds etc...and not having the correct tools is also a huge factor towards a possible mistake:crazy:
...use the professionals and there decades of acquired skills :yes:, theirs certainly no shame in getting the job done perfectly!, and for a reasonable price.

[SMOKEU]

+1file:///usr/share/doc/HTML/index.html

Ive gotta give it to smoku, he bought an aging sport bike that had obviously had a...well used life...and he's got the thing nearly all sorted!, from swing arm bearings, engine and carbs all sorted and list goes on and on...hes done bloody well! :niceone:

Its a really nice bike, and he's a nice guy, hence I don't want things to go pear shaped, so I firmly believe he should learn some of the more useful daily mechanical skills such as general maintenance etc, before even attempting such things as front fork rebuilds etc...and not having the correct tools is also a huge factor towards a possible mistake:crazy:
...use the professionals and there decades of acquired skills :yes:, theirs certainly no shame in getting the job done perfectly!, and for a reasonable price.

I only do what I know I can do on my own, including: engine oil and filter, engine coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs, air filter, fuel hose and filters, chain lube and adjustment. That way I don't get part way through something without being able to finish it, because I'd rather be able to ride my bike to Roger than to have it in bits and then organise a trailer/truck/van to take it over there.