Shortly, I'll be be fitting a new front tyre to my '02 11s so while I've got the wheel out I think I'll change the fork oil. Is there a drain plug up thru the bottom of the leg or will I need to remove the legs?
Cheers, Nick.
fork oil change
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el-nicko
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fork oil change
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Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Need to dismantle them unfortunately Nick.
They're a 'maintenance free' item according to BMW, so unless there's a problem, or you're dismantling them for a paint, it's not really worth it. I changed the oil for heavier stuff, but it's made naff all difference to the handling
They're a 'maintenance free' item according to BMW, so unless there's a problem, or you're dismantling them for a paint, it's not really worth it. I changed the oil for heavier stuff, but it's made naff all difference to the handling
Blame the Deed, Not the Breed
Traitor Z1000SX Owner
Traitor Z1000SX Owner
Re: fork oil change
As above, mine's been ok for 98k miles...el-nicko wrote:Shortly, I'll be be fitting a new front tyre to my '02 11s so while I've got the wheel out I think I'll change the fork oil. Is there a drain plug up thru the bottom of the leg or will I need to remove the legs?
Cheers, Nick.
_________________
Nigel
Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you've been up to!
1999 R1100s (mandarin) '
2018 DL 250V Strom
2019 CB125F Honda.
MZ301 Saxon Fun ( currently retired)
'03 Bullet 65 project..
Nigel
Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you've been up to!
1999 R1100s (mandarin) '
2018 DL 250V Strom
2019 CB125F Honda.
MZ301 Saxon Fun ( currently retired)
'03 Bullet 65 project..
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el-nicko
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- Location: Nick from HEREFORDSHIRE, The Oceanian province of Airstrip One.
Cheers lads. I've just removed the wheel and there is a drain plug up there so I took them out and about a pint (in total) of what looked like quite heavy weight oil drained out. 
Nick.
Nick..
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
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Dai wiskers
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Time to start shouting Dai 's wrong again
I have used old fashioned mineral two stroke oils in forks for as long as i can remember it tends to be a straight sae 30 and contains seal swell
Not tried it in the R11 tho
It has worked well in every bike i have tried it in right from my BSA A65's Suzuki hustler Suzuki cobra Suzuki kettle right up to my Triumph speed four and countless in between
We even used it in the forks of my mates production race bike's RD400e and GT500
Wonder what I'll be putting in the R11 and harley when the time comes?
Doubt very much that the oil will have much affect on the R11 i think over 90% of the damping will come from the shoc and not the oil in the legs
I shall now put on my piss pot helmet cos people are going to start throwing things at me
I have used old fashioned mineral two stroke oils in forks for as long as i can remember it tends to be a straight sae 30 and contains seal swell
Not tried it in the R11 tho
It has worked well in every bike i have tried it in right from my BSA A65's Suzuki hustler Suzuki cobra Suzuki kettle right up to my Triumph speed four and countless in between
We even used it in the forks of my mates production race bike's RD400e and GT500
Wonder what I'll be putting in the R11 and harley when the time comes?
Doubt very much that the oil will have much affect on the R11 i think over 90% of the damping will come from the shoc and not the oil in the legs
I shall now put on my piss pot helmet cos people are going to start throwing things at me
My bike shines when it rains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dyslexic Dai
Steptoe
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Dan Cata
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Lennie
http://www.boxer-performance.com/index.html
Dyslexic Dai
Steptoe
http://www.gsshop.biz/
Dan Cata
http://boxer-upgrades.webs.com/
Lennie
http://www.boxer-performance.com/index.html
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el-nicko
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I think I read somewhere that you only need put a very light oil in Dai 'cos it's only to lube the seals. Got to say I was surprised how much drained out. I was under the impression you didn't need to put much (170ml?) in. Must get my workshop manual back from my mate down the road. 
Nick.
Nick.
.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
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dave the german
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- Location: North East
Fork in oil
Yeah all later bikes (with 1150 GS style forks) use much more oil, see recent thread: viewtopic.php?t=17385
This oil is lubricant only, I added Auto Transmission Fluid and its working great.
This oil is lubricant only, I added Auto Transmission Fluid and its working great.
R1100S current
K1200RS (2005-07) Autobahn-stormer
V-Strom (2004-05)
VFR800 (2003-04)
-in the 70s & 80s there were lots more...
K1200RS (2005-07) Autobahn-stormer
V-Strom (2004-05)
VFR800 (2003-04)
-in the 70s & 80s there were lots more...
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el-nicko
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Just read your post R-man and I will be doing what you did:- dipstick and top-up to 490ml. Also explains why nearly half a litre drained out when I was just expecting 170!
Quoting R-man from another thread here....
"Also that as my 2002 bike does not have the plastic tube inserts to reduce oil volume, so they need 490 ml each, not 170.
Small bore pipe, funnel and syringe made adding around 180 ml each leg possible, and after bouncing the front a few times held it down whilst refitting the air bleeders...and hey presto the fork action is already smoother."
Quoting R-man from another thread here....
"Also that as my 2002 bike does not have the plastic tube inserts to reduce oil volume, so they need 490 ml each, not 170.
Small bore pipe, funnel and syringe made adding around 180 ml each leg possible, and after bouncing the front a few times held it down whilst refitting the air bleeders...and hey presto the fork action is already smoother."
.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
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dave the german
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- Location: North East
Def no drain on mine, and workshop manual doesn't have one listed either, but hey, if it's there & saved time greatel-nicko wrote:Cheers lads. I've just removed the wheel and there is a drain plug up there so I took them out and about a pint (in total) of what looked like quite heavy weight oil drained out.
170ml for me WITH the plastic tube inserts, and like you Dai, I used a heavier weight oil, no problems so far.Blame the Deed, Not the Breed
Traitor Z1000SX Owner
Traitor Z1000SX Owner
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el-nicko
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- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:04 pm
- Location: Nick from HEREFORDSHIRE, The Oceanian province of Airstrip One.
Well 490ml of 5W-30 (all I had on the shelf) in each leg, replaced fork seals too. Also had some new pads on the shelf so fitted them as well. Decided there's another few miles life on the front tyre after all so I'll treat the old girl to a rear one instead. Thanks for your input chaps.
Nick.
Nick.
.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.
It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.
Perceived design conundrum: telelevers need a long overlap to ensure stability and accurate steering, plus better resolution of forces. This means a big distance between top bush and bottom bush. So how to get oil to top bush with the minimum amount of oil? Solution put something in there which occupies space but weighs nothing. Contained fresh air!
Anyone know why they deleted the plastic "bottles"? Would seem a good solution on the face of it.
My own logic is that lower viscosity oil is best in the case of telelevers. On the basis that it will find its way into the bushes better and offer less drag.
Anyone know if the extra mass of oil in the later versions constitutes unsprung weight? Or steering inertia?
Anyone know why they deleted the plastic "bottles"? Would seem a good solution on the face of it.
My own logic is that lower viscosity oil is best in the case of telelevers. On the basis that it will find its way into the bushes better and offer less drag.
Anyone know if the extra mass of oil in the later versions constitutes unsprung weight? Or steering inertia?