Changing fork oil on a DRZ400 motard in the garage?

[racefactory]

What's the best way to go about this? I'm thinking hang it up by the handle bars from the shelves and hopefully get it high enough to slide the forks out.

Could anyone run through how you change the fork oil and if I will need any specialist tools? Maybe I could pay someone to show me in Auckland if they're interested?

I think the fork oil viscosity is too thick and the dampening is suffering even on minimum compression dampening settings.

[rok-the-boat]

Not sure about that model but many bikes have a drain screw at the bottom - just have to be careful not to wreck the head of the screw. Or, pull the forks out, take the tops off and drain them.

Or, are they adjustable? They might be.

[Shaun]

What's the best way to go about this? I'm thinking hang it up by the handle bars from the shelves and hopefully get it high enough to slide the forks out.

Could anyone run through how you change the fork oil and if I will need any specialist tools? Maybe I could pay someone to show me in Auckland if they're interested?

I think the fork oil viscosity is too thick and the dampening is suffering even on minimum compression dampening settings.

If the forks realy do feal that bad to you, you will need MORE than just an oil change mate. They should be fully stripped and inspected and cleaned perfectly before just pooring new fresh oil in them

[SVboy]

If my limited knowledge serves me correctly-if you dont have the right tools, dont do it. Take your forks out, and get it done professionally. I just had my GSXR forks done @$180 ish after advice on here NOT to tackle them myself. The USD forks on the DRZ are quite tricky, I believe. If you do do it yourself, document-so we all can learn...

[Shaun]

If my limited knowledge serves me correctly-if you dont have the right tools, dont do it. Take your forks out, and get it done professionally. I just had my GSXR forks done @$180 ish after advice on here NOT to tackle them myself. The USD forks on the DRZ are quite tricky, I believe. If you do do it yourself, document-so we all can learn...

well said mate

[Robert Taylor]

What's the best way to go about this? I'm thinking hang it up by the handle bars from the shelves and hopefully get it high enough to slide the forks out.

Could anyone run through how you change the fork oil and if I will need any specialist tools? Maybe I could pay someone to show me in Auckland if they're interested?

I think the fork oil viscosity is too thick and the dampening is suffering even on minimum compression dampening settings.

What is your height and weight? Is the suspension stock standard or has it neen messed with?
Some special tools are required and the job is best left to a high volume specialist. Norm Cobb in Ellerslie will do a great job.

[racefactory]

Hi there thanks for replies...

it's a drz400 motard, standard unmodified suspension. USD forks.

Height is 1.80, weight is 83kg.

I was thinking, is it possible they might have some air in them? there is a air bleed screw but im not sure how to use it properly or what im looking for.

Basically I find that the front dampening is not as good as the rear, on minimum compression it's bit too harsh. especially when the load is on the rear the front hits bumps rather hard. When it is loaded it feels nice though.

Possibly too much fork oil?

[Robert Taylor]

Hi there thanks for replies...

it's a drz400 motard, standard unmodified suspension. USD forks.

Height is 1.80, weight is 83kg.

I was thinking, is it possible they might have some air in them? there is a air bleed screw but im not sure how to use it properly or what im looking for.

Basically I find that the front dampening is not as good as the rear, on minimum compression it's bit too harsh. especially when the load is on the rear the front hits bumps rather hard. When it is loaded it feels nice though.

Possibly too much fork oil?

Theres supposed to be air in them, just not pressurised at full extension. Sit it on a stand with the front wheel in the air and undo the bleed screw to release any residual pressure. But that is not the issue, nor is oil level or viscosity. It needs the mid valve shim stack fettled and also the base compression valve. The cartridges have to come apart to do that, a job for a high volume suspension proffessional.

[racefactory]

Thanks for that, fixed it. It was air in the forks. I lifted the weight off the front of the bike as much as I could with straps and undid the air bleed screw. There was an audible hiss of air that released out.

Front forks now nice and compliant over bumps and feel different especially on the rebound stroke... more controlled on the way back, not just like a spring releasing.

Any idea how often you are supposed to do this? Quite a hassle to tie the bike up to get the weight off the forks. Can it be done at all in normal position with bike on side stand?

Robert- do you know much about these RM450 forks on the DRZ400 motard? Is the .440kg/mm spring rate good for a 82kg rider?

[Ocean1]

Any idea how often you are supposed to do this?

Depends.

It varies, dude,from bike to bike and how hard it's ridden.

I do it every couple of rides, usually mid-ride, (when I need something to blame for the latest pilot error). I don't bother hoisting the front of the bike up, I just put it on the sidestand and pull back/up on the bars, gets it close enough.

[Robert Taylor]

Thanks for that, fixed it. It was air in the forks. I lifted the weight off the front of the bike as much as I could with straps and undid the air bleed screw. There was an audible hiss of air that released out.

Front forks now nice and compliant over bumps and feel different especially on the rebound stroke... more controlled on the way back, not just like a spring releasing.

Any idea how often you are supposed to do this? Quite a hassle to tie the bike up to get the weight off the forks. Can it be done at all in normal position with bike on side stand?

Robert- do you know much about these RM450 forks on the DRZ400 motard? Is the .440kg/mm spring rate good for a 82kg rider?

As Ocean 1 says.

.44 is not too far off but its not only about the maths, its also about personal preference.

Carelessly installed axles can also add unneccessary harshness. Check out my youtube video in this forum

[Robert Taylor]

Thanks for that, fixed it. It was air in the forks. I lifted the weight off the front of the bike as much as I could with straps and undid the air bleed screw. There was an audible hiss of air that released out.

Front forks now nice and compliant over bumps and feel different especially on the rebound stroke... more controlled on the way back, not just like a spring releasing.

Any idea how often you are supposed to do this? Quite a hassle to tie the bike up to get the weight off the forks. Can it be done at all in normal position with bike on side stand?

Robert- do you know much about these RM450 forks on the DRZ400 motard? Is the .440kg/mm spring rate good for a 82kg rider?

As Ocean says

.44 is not too far off, its also though about personal preference. Not only the ''gospel'' of spring rate calculators.

Carelessly installed axles can also instil added harshness. Check out my youtube video in this forum.