| Author | Message | ||
     Xbolt12 |
Has anyone changed fork oil on their xb? I'm over-due on the 10k fork service and I am thinking of doing it myself. I have done my KYB forks on my YZ400 and even have a modified 5/8 craftsman open-end wrench which is ground thin for removing the top cap from the cartridge/damper rod assy. My big question is do I need any special tools? Also since I now have a Jardine exhaust, I am thinking about pulling the slip-on, putting a block of wood under the engine, jacking up the bike, and using tie-downs and jack stands to stabilize it (no laughing now buckingfubba). xbolt12 | ||
| Fullpower |
looks like you have to invert the motorcycle, or alternately remove and invert the forks. mine did not come with a drain plug. | ||
| Darthane |
XBolt, I just did mine a couple months ago. I bought some tools from Traxxion Dynamics, suspension specialists, and did it in my garage. It was quite a bit easier than I had anticipated. First time, probably 3-4 hours, after that cut it in half. The parts I bought from Traxxion came to something like $75 (You really only need the compression kit, but I bought the level gauge as well) - WAY better than the labor I'd be charged at a stealership, not to mention the worrying over whether or not they put my front end back together right. Oh, you'll need a 32mm wrench as well, or a really big crescent, as well as something to grip the fork tubes while you open/drain/reassemble them (rubber-jawed vise is recommended - I used my bike rack, which has rubber clamps meant to hold bike frames, turned sideways in the trailer hitch). | ||
| Starter |
If you know what your doing it is easy. First timers will take a little longer but it is still a peice of cake. I find it easiest to do most of the work with the forks still in the triples instead of using a bench. Then I just slide them out to bleed and re-fill. I have found that the triples hold the tubes alot more securely than a vice (plus I don't have a vice to start with). What's the quality of the oil in them from the Showa factory like? | ||
| Racertroy |
anyone play around with oils, air chamber length? | ||
| Xbolt12 |
Thanks. I am thinking of raising the oil level 5mm as well. xbolt12 | ||
| M1combat |
Why John? | ||
| Freyke |
FYI, My dealer quoted me 2 hours labor plus the oil cost... We're talking around $150 USD for complete job... I'll do all the rest of the 10K my self... | ||
| Keith |
I did the same thing as Darthane and will do the same at the next interval. Keith | ||
| Chainsaw |
Anyone care to elaborate on this procedure with pictures and flowery prose? Would make a fine addition to the KV. I have the service manual but have yet to tackle this task. | ||
| Darthane |
If you've got the service manual, then you're set. The procedure as described in there is very good, and the pictures that acompany it are clear as well. | ||
| Keith |
Plus the Traxxion Dynamics tools come with some pretty good instructions. Keith  | ||
| Xbolt12 |
M1Combat, I might raise the oil level a little to add a slightly more progressive rate (spring) on compression. If you add oil, you have less air capacity in the fork and since oil is not compressable you end up with a stiffer rate of compression on the fork most noticeable in mid travel(not to be confused with damping). Too much will make a fork harsh though, and as I recall on the YZ400F mxer the recommendation is try in 5mm increments. Still it is no substitute for the right or stiffer coil spring. Enzo Racing even has a bottle setup for KYB forks that lets you vary the capacity externally w/o changing oil-trick stuff for the factory motocross riders. xbolt12 | ||
| Barkandbite |
Dealer wants $150 for the fork oil swap even if I bring them the forks OFF THE BIKE. I think I'm going to just buy the tools and try it myself. I think I'm going to get the nifty tool that doesn't require a third hand so I can do it myself without involving the wife, neighbor or errant homeless person. Then, if anyone else wants to come over to do theirs, I can make an excuse for beer and garage time!  Anyone talk me into upgrading the internal springs to something else? Will I actually see a difference in mostly commuting ventures or just stay with the stock stuff? Chris |
