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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: lilbill on July 14, 2007, 02:28:29 PM

Title: Fork seal help
Post by: lilbill on July 14, 2007, 02:28:29 PM
Hi all...I know that this has been beaten to death...I've been searching for hours but I have one question. :oops:

How do you measure the amount of fork oil to put back in after the change?  The clymer manual says 99mm is the level for the oil ( I assume this is from the bottom up...but I have read to measure 99mm from the top of the fork tube down to the top of the oil). :dunno_white:

Also if you use the 375mL to 382mL volumetric measurement, what do you use to measure this accurately?

Thanks so much
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: ben2go on July 14, 2007, 03:07:17 PM
measure from the top of the tube with the spring out and the fork compressed all the way.I just done a few and they ride great.
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: Affschnozel on July 14, 2007, 03:09:16 PM
I used a measuring cup ,poured approximately the correct amount and then used a ruler to measure oil level (from the top of the tube )
Just use the ruler as if you're using dipstick to check on engine oil level ( insert 99mm and then add a bit if it's not showing oil )
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: lilbill on July 14, 2007, 03:10:45 PM
Cool thanks so much  :cheers: to all of you!!  When I get this done I can go for my first ride!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: ben2go on July 14, 2007, 03:11:52 PM
Quote from: Affschnozel on July 14, 2007, 03:09:16 PM
I used a measuring cup ,poured approximately the correct amount and then used a ruler to measure oil level (from the top of the tube )
Just use the ruler as if you're using dipstick to check on engine oil level ( insert 99mm and then add a bit if it's not showing oil )

+1 I did this too
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on July 14, 2007, 04:54:34 PM
Quote from: lilbill on July 14, 2007, 02:28:29 PM
Hi all...I know that this has been beaten to death...I've been searching for hours but I have one question. :oops:

How do you measure the amount of fork oil to put back in after the change?  The clymer manual says 99mm is the level for the oil ( I assume this is from the bottom up...but I have read to measure 99mm from the top of the fork tube down to the top of the oil). :dunno_white:

Also if you use the 375mL to 382mL volumetric measurement, what do you use to measure this accurately?

Thanks so much

Uh... I know this isn't terribly helpful, but I used a 500 ml polypropylene graduated cylinder, laboratory ware...

They are pretty impressively accurate. I could read the difference on the side of just a few drops either way... but it's certainly overkill.

Some companies make devices... they're metal tubes with length markings, a sliding collar with a set-screw, the metal tube fitted to a flexible plastic tube that's fitted to an oversize syringe. You overfill the fork, set the collar on the tube to the depth you want, slide the tube into the fork up to the collar, and suck the oil out with the syringe until it doesn't come out anymore, and that's the depth you want. Slick.

I didn't have one of those.



Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: bosozoku on July 14, 2007, 05:25:56 PM
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on July 14, 2007, 04:54:34 PM
Some companies make devices... they're metal tubes with length markings, a sliding collar with a set-screw, the metal tube fitted to a flexible plastic tube that's fitted to an oversize syringe.

You could make the same thing for $5 out of some copper water tubing, tape, an oversize washer, a short length of rubber hose and a turkey baster...

-b.
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: Admiral Crunch on July 14, 2007, 09:02:39 PM
I used one of my wife's measuring cups out of the kitchen.    :icon_mrgreen:

Now I wonder if we could ever use it there again even if I washed it a dozen times.   :icon_confused:
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: ben2go on July 15, 2007, 08:08:18 AM
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 14, 2007, 09:02:39 PM
I used one of my wife's measuring cups out of the kitchen.    :icon_mrgreen:

Now I wonder if we could ever use it there again even if I washed it a dozen times.   :icon_confused:

I would a little oil in the diet helps keep things moving through ya system.Might make going to the can a little easier,if ya have problems going.  :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: lilbill on July 15, 2007, 08:12:32 AM
QuoteMight make going to the can a little easier,if ya have problems going.   :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:

Yeah...as long it doesn't give you stopping troubles  :icon_lol:  :icon_lol:

Btw Wecent, where did you get that graduated cylinder?  I looked and the biggest that I could find was 10mL.
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: lilbill on July 15, 2007, 04:49:43 PM
Thank you all again  :thumb:

I just got back from a ride (my first on this bike and on the street) and the forks are wonderful!! The 15wt oil is magical in them(I'm dramatic yes I know).

BTW I hate dumb cagers :mad:  This was my first time on the street.  I was just riding down a little road near my house when I saw a van with its reverse lights on...I just knew.  He started backing up and accelerating...and accelerating...until his daughter turned, threw her hands up and yelled and he hit the brakes(after 6 in. of his butt was already in the street).  Thankfully I had stopped when I saw the lack of brake lights and was 20yds. away when all of this happened.  Are people blind?  I guess they don't realize that motorcycles have a right to be on the road as well.  :dunno_white:

Anyways sorry for the rant and thanks once again  :cheers:
Title: Re: Fork seal help
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on July 15, 2007, 05:28:57 PM
Quote from: lilbill on July 15, 2007, 08:12:32 AM

Btw Wecent, where did you get that graduated cylinder?  I looked and the biggest that I could find was 10mL.


Geez... it's been years, it was for another project...  I think I may have gotten it from Edmund's.

Later.. nope, found it in an e-mail archive.  Here  (http://www.onlinesciencemall.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/1786991/vpcsid/0/SFV/30852/sret/1219142112181716225282223212283214231216287224217290237220295224223224225234243228245230243236245) you go.