Noob forks question

[cbr guy]

i was just reading through random threads and i came up on something about how not many people replace the oil in forks of old bikes, and well i admit that i'm a noob, but i do know dat my bikes 20 years old! i did some searching but couldnt find out too much information except that a good place for syringes is the vet.lol. cutting to the chase, would it be worth changing the oil in my forks? they seem to be good, but i wouldnt really know as the majority of my road riding has been on this bike. and yeah, i'm into taking corners fast (well fast for me at least!), and if handling/safety improves noticabally that would be great! thanks

[riffer]

Shit mate its not that vital that you need a syringe.

I just use a plastic measuring jug. You can get within a ml or two of right that way.

Always been good enough for me.

Save your money for petrol.

And yes. Change the fork oil. You will have a completely different bike. One that will go around corners properly. Ask Colapop.

[HDTboy]

Yes, change the oil. On a CBR250 you should use 10w.

Undo the cap of each fork leg, watch out they're spring loaded, and you'll need to support the weight of the bike.
Measure how far down the tube (mm) the oil level is with the spring and spacer removed and fork compressed.
Put a drip tray below the fork leg, and undo the 10mm bolt at the bottom. You'll spray old dirty fork oil everywhere, try not to get it on your brakes or tyre.
Pump the fork up and down a few times with the bung removed until oil stops coming out. Refit the bung.
Fill the fork with new oil to the previous level (Or the higher of the two if they're different). Pump the fork until bubbles stop coming through the oil, then 5 more times.
Correct the oil height. Extend the forks. Refit the springs, then the spacers.
Refit the caps, clean off any excess oil. Recheck everything's tight, then go for a ride.

[cbr guy]

Shit mate its not that vital that you need a syringe.

I just use a plastic measuring jug. You can get within a ml or two of right that way.

Always been good enough for me.

Save your money for petrol.

And yes. Change the fork oil. You will have a completely different bike. One that will go around corners properly. Ask Colapop.

lol bugger, the one thing i thought i knew aye! sweet as man, thanks heaps for the advice, ooh i'm excited about going around the corners better now!

[cbr guy]

Yes, change the oil. On a CBR250 you should use 10w.

Undo the cap of each fork leg, watch out they're spring loaded, and you'll need to support the weight of the bike.
Measure how far down the tube (mm) the oil level is with the spring and spacer removed and fork compressed.
Put a drip tray below the fork leg, and undo the 10mm bolt at the bottom. You'll spray old dirty fork oil everywhere, try not to get it on your brakes or tyre.
Pump the fork up and down a few times with the bung removed until oil stops coming out. Refit the bung.
Fill the fork with new oil to the previous level (Or the higher of the two if they're different). Pump the fork until bubbles stop coming through the oil, then 5 more times.
Correct the oil height. Extend the forks. Refit the springs, then the spacers.
Refit the caps, clean off any excess oil. Recheck everything's tight, then go for a ride.

hey, thanks heaps for taking the time to write that out, its really appreciated.sounds like a good weekend job for me, looks really easy to follow. i'm really looking foward to the last step in the process too!
cheers, ben.
oh, one last thing, does anybody know roughly how much fork oil i will need to buy? don't wanna sound annoying or anthing, im just poor and don't wanna pay for more than i need.lol

[HDTboy]

A litre will do the job. Once youve done it a few times it gets really easy to do. I got to the point where I could have it done in 20 minutes.

Somewhere on the internet is a workshop manual for MC22s, it will probably have a lot about the MC19 in it too. I can't remember where it was, but google is your friend

[cbr guy]

:)
A litre will do the job. Once youve done it a few times it gets really easy to do. I got to the point where I could have it done in 20 minutes.

Somewhere on the internet is a workshop manual for MC22s, it will probably have a lot about the MC19 in it too. I can't remember where it was, but google is your friend

excellent, one litre of 10w then. thanks about all that :)

[cbr guy]

hey, finally got around to trying to change fork oil (had ball and duck shooting weekends in the way!) but i've encountered a problem, i taken off the bung at the top, and theres a valve for compressed gas at the top of the fork! dont have a clue about what to do about it and dont want to make a mistake. perhaps i just remove it and change fork oil, then put some more air back in with the air compressor when its done?sounds crazy, maybe its for easily adjusting the forks hardness for different roads/tracks or something? can anybody help me please?

[HDTboy]

Sounds like the ones in the top of my NC23 forks, don't use a compressor. Pump them up to 5psi with a hand pump when you're finished.

[cbr guy]

thanks man, will do. just emptied out the fork oil out now, very exciting. quite alot over your 20 minute record already however!

[cbr guy]

well if anyones searching this or something, i done it a while ago now and am happy woth results, taken a few rides to get used to though! this link has some pretty basic instructions i made and pictures i taken, just to get an idea of whats in store really. PM me if it doesnt work.

http://bebo.com/PhotoAlbum.jsp?MemberId=698543647&PhotoNbr=1&PhotoAlbumId=4976993916

[cbr guy]

fun and cheap weekend job too, i recommend it

[Squiggles]

that sure is one helluva beaten up fork leg! :shit:

[Katman]

Personally, I think draining and replacing the oil is only doing half the job. It is far better to strip the forks completely and be able to clean out the build up of shit that sits at the bottom of the fork - otherwise, this will immediately start to contaminate the fresh oil you've just put in.