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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: finmac on October 13, 2005, 01:46:15 PM

Title: methods- changing out brake fluid and fork oil
Post by: finmac on October 13, 2005, 01:46:15 PM
Anyone tried using a little hand crank fuel pump (for model remote control airplanes etc) to change out old brake fluid while pouring new in? I was thinking this little pump could be used to get air out of the line if that cropped up too.

Also if i'm replacing my fork oil with heavier weight: I dont really want to remove my whole front fork and dump it upside down- would this work?:

Take a small fuel line down to the very bottom of the fork, slowly pump in the heavier oil with the hand crank pump and displace the lighter oil, siphoning it off the top? Or are the baffles and nooks that the oil sits in, making this technique impossible?

:thumb:
Fin
Title: methods- changing out brake fluid and fork oil
Post by: raylarrabee on October 13, 2005, 01:56:59 PM
I used a $3 siphon from AutoZone to get the old fork oil out.  It worked well.  I recommend zip-tying a straightened metal coat hanger to the siphon tube so that you can poke and route around to get all the oil out.

As for the brakes, you can get a brake bleeding kit for around $25-35 at Sears.  It works well and will pay for itself in one or two uses.
Title: methods- changing out brake fluid and fork oil
Post by: Riggsy on October 13, 2005, 03:03:06 PM
When you are changing your brake fluid its usually for a reason.
Dirty or a couple of years old.
Either means you don't want the old stuff mixing with the new.

Brake fluid is very hydroscopic (absorbs water) and this is the main reason for the service schedule change every 2 years (or thereabouts)

N.B.
I don't know your bikes mileage, but if you're going to all this trouble you may as well change the piston seals as well, only costs a few quid and will improve your brakes no end :thumb:


About the forkoil, I've never considered doing it like that, Normally (unless you have water in the stantions) just drain the old oil (assuming you hae a bleed screw on the bottom of the GS sliders) and refil from above.
If you have a go make sure you have plenty of rags handy for mopping up afterwards ;)

TIP
When setting the levels don't bother with syringes etc for measuring the oil volume. Use a steel rule and measure from the top on the stantion to the oil level.
make sure its the same for each leg. :thumb:
Title: methods- changing out brake fluid and fork oil
Post by: gobstopper on October 13, 2005, 07:47:42 PM
Quote from: RiggsyBrake fluid is very hydroscopic (absorbs water)

The word is hygroscopic, but yeah, that's right.
Title: methods- changing out brake fluid and fork oil
Post by: Riggsy on October 14, 2005, 10:36:45 AM
I apologise for my poor use of the queens english :oops:  :P


Many thanks for pointing out my inadequate and obviously substandard spelling :roll:


Can I assume I answered the question correctly?


FFS