Adding oil to my fork?

[Draketh]

Ok, so I have a leaky fork, but its not like oil is squirting out, it just seems like the oil seal isn't holding back the oil very well so its coating the fork and gradually losing oil.

The parts are on the way to fix it, a Haynes manual for my bike is on the way, until the parts get here how do I add some oil to the fork to get the suspension working right until the parts get here? Its beautiful outside and I want to ride.

I have some Rotella 15w-40 I assume that would be fine to put in the fork?

[Nessism]

Just go ride. Unless you lost a lot of oil, in which case, adding some of that Rotella won't hurt anything.

[Draketh]

Just go ride. Unless you lost a lot of oil, in which case, adding some of that Rotella won't hurt anything.

Well, I have been riding, and I'm pretty sure the fork is pretty low. They're pretty much fully compressed when I'm on the bike, and it doesn't feel right cornering like the bike is going to fall over.

[Steve]

Oil, by itself, is not going to keep your bike off the suspension stops.
SPRINGS are what hold the bike up.
The oil only damps the movement of the springs.

When you finally get them apart to change the seals, do yourself a favor and use the proper fluid, which is FORK oil, not engine oil.

.

[hampshirehog]

I've bought high mileage bikes that have never had the fork oil looked at since new - some with virtually none in at all. You can ride 'em fine (as long as you're not expecting to get your knee down on an 80mph bend).

[Draketh]

Hmm. Well the front suspension is super, super spongy, maybe I should replace the springs too then?

[bwringer]

Hmm. Well the front suspension is super, super spongy, maybe I should replace the springs too then?

Yup. Welcome to the club -- every GS needs fork springs.

This place seems to have the best prices on Progressive fork springs and shocks, and a few members here have tried them and been happy with their service:

http://www.onestopmoto.com/