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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: chrishiggs on September 25, 2009, 06:47:47 AM

Title: RaceTech springs- fork oil quantity?
Post by: chrishiggs on September 25, 2009, 06:47:47 AM
Hi Folks,

I'm about to fit a pair of 0.8kg/m RaceTech fork springs to my '99 GS and am not sure if I should be adjusting the quantity of oil I put back in. From what I've read different fork springs take up different volumes so I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Its a UK spec bike with adjustable preload caps which takes 377cc per leg as standard and I weigh about 185lbs. Any advice most welcome. Cheers. :thumb:

Chris

PS Not sure if I should be posting in the race section...
Title: Re: RaceTech springs- fork oil quantity?
Post by: Bluehaze on September 25, 2009, 08:47:50 AM
You should put back the same amount if the issue the first time was just squishy forks.  If you want to adjust preload and such..then you may need to read up on quantity vs. air deal.   I recommend a heavier folk oil too 15w..  You wont really feel any diff if you dont change from stock oil.
Title: Re: RaceTech springs- fork oil quantity?
Post by: RichDesmond on September 25, 2009, 11:49:12 AM
Quote from: chrishiggs on September 25, 2009, 06:47:47 AM
Hi Folks,

I'm about to fit a pair of 0.8kg/m RaceTech fork springs to my '99 GS and am not sure if I should be adjusting the quantity of oil I put back in. From what I've read different fork springs take up different volumes so I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Its a UK spec bike with adjustable preload caps which takes 377cc per leg as standard and I weigh about 185lbs. Any advice most welcome. Cheers. :thumb:

Chris

PS Not sure if I should be posting in the race section...

You're much better off setting the oil level rather than using a volume measurement. I'd start with 120mm, and use 15w oil. Some details on setting the level here:

http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/damper_rod_forks_tech_article.php
Title: Re: RaceTech springs- fork oil quantity?
Post by: chrishiggs on September 26, 2009, 08:57:32 AM
Thanks for the info. Is it the general consensus that 15w is the way to go? I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that forks work best with the lowest weight oil you can get away with. As I'm not racing I'm tempted to stick with 10w and if they still feel too soft/underdamped go for the 15w... Thanks again.

Chris
Title: Re: RaceTech springs- fork oil quantity?
Post by: Bluesmudge on September 26, 2009, 01:36:24 PM
I like 15w much better than 10w. I would even consider going to 20w