[Casey Stangle]

I want to change the front fork oil. Do you have to pull the forks off of the bike and dump it out? That's dumb if true!! How about drilling and taping a hole at the bottom to facilitate this next time.



Someone stated that you should use 10 weight fork oil instead of ATF. Thoughts?

 

[MotorcycleCommuter]

I like BelRay 20 weight fork oil. It gives you a much better feel than ATF. ATF was used 30 year ago. There have been improvements in fork dampening oil technology since then. I on the forks without a drain you must remove the forks and dump them out from the top. If you're going that far you might as well take them completely apart, wash out the inside and replace the fork seals and wipers.

 

[Shep]

+10 to the 20w fork oil but I've never bothered to change the wipers in either of my Cxs.I have replaced the fork seals that went though on one of them with Pyramid brand seals.My forks don't have the drains so I have to take them off and find with dual discs it's easier to remove the brake calipers as well for easy re-fit of the front wheel and I do a brake service at the same time if I have to do this.



HTH

 

[Casey Stangle]

I suppose that you are going to tell me that changing the fork seals are no big deal, right? Does make sense if you are that far into it. Beside, I have had so many surprises with thid bike what is one more! Still can't figure out why there are no drain holes. My 1970 450 has them.

 

[DavidfromWisconsin]

I suppose that you are going to tell me that changing the fork seals are no big deal, right? Does make sense if you are that far into it. Beside, I have had so many surprises with thid bike what is one more! Still can't figure out why there are no drain holes. My 1970 450 has them.

Contact me and I can talk you through it. I already sent you my email address.



Otherwise, if you want to wait until spring, you can ride up by me and we can do it in a day.

 

[Blindstitch]

Which bike do you have? I am in the area and if they are 78-80's I can swap them fast.

 

[Casey Stangle]

I have a 1980 Custom. I basically wanted to know if you need any special tools to do this, or is it pretty straight forward?

 

[bandit]

I have a 1980 Custom. I basically wanted to know if you need any special tools to do this, or is it pretty straight forward?

step by step guide here.....with tools and photo,s.its not hard.just a bit messy

http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/37528/showPost.aspx

 

[Casey Stangle]

That's great, Bandit! Just what I was looking for. Thanks, Blindstich, for the offer. If I get into trouble I will take you up on it. I am very thick skulled and like to learn by mistake.

 

[bandit]

That's great, Bandit! Just what I was looking for. Thanks, Blindstich, for the offer. If I get into trouble I will take you up on it. I am very thick skulled and like to learn by mistake.

take them apart one at a time.you then have a referance if you mix up the order for re-assembly

 

[Shep]

take them apart one at a time.you then have a referance if you mix up the order for re-assembly

Also use your great tip when fitting the new one.Even if using a piece of plastic pipe use the old seal on top of the new one to help prevent damage when pressing the new seal in.I lubricated my new ones with fork oil so they slid in easier.Also be careful of damaging the inner seal skirt that the tubes come up through.

 

[Blindstitch]

You do have the easier forks. To get the seals out you will need a pry bar flipped around to easily pull out the seal and a long 6mm allen socket and possibly an impact drive. Don't forget to loosen the fork caps first. But just loosen them don't take them off till everything is apart.

 

[Casey Stangle]

I removed the shocks. Will get to them when I get back from vacation. Thanks for the help.

 

[Blindstitch]

Well when you get back if you need some help i'm here.