Fork oil level

[Jethro]

How accurate do you think I have to be with the fork oil? The qty. listed for each model is only a minor difference- like a few ml. Do I really have to go buy a friggin' graduated beaker? That's a pain in the neck.

[daveo]

I wouldn' t worry about it too much if all the model specs are pretty close, more important to make sure you have the exact same amount in each leg

[saaz]

Don't worry about the volume of oil. Put in roughly the right quantity then measure the oil level to the specs. Far more accurate. I have found that the oil volume quoted is often approximate. I use an old big syringe with some old tube attached with some tape on it to stick in and suck up any oil excess above the quoted oil level.

I have two set of forks for my GS1000, euro and US spec. Neither get to the right oil level with the quantity quoted in the manual!

[Jethro]

I didn't realize that there are level height specs in my manual- I only noticed a quantity. I'll check that out tonight.

[bwringer]

The oil level is what's important.

I just dump some oil in and then slurp out the excess with a large syringe attached to tubing with a hole at the correct level. There's a diagram of this homemade tool in the manual.

With Progressive fork springs, the amount of oil will be off anyway because the springs are made of thicker wire.

If the oil level is much different side-to-side, you could conceivably get some binding -- even with 0psi in the forks, the trapped air compresses and has an effect.

You also don't want too much oil, or the forks could bottom on the oil and blow out your fork seals.

[Jethro]

With Progressive fork springs, the amount of oil will be off anyway because the springs are made of thicker wire.

Mmmm, I can't wait to see how the Progressives are gonna ride.

That's a great idea about the syringe and the hole cut in the tubing, that's how I'll do it.

[SqDancerLynn1]

When you install the progressive springs It takes a day or to to get used to them THEY work great