Sanity check on fork oil level

[JTGS850GL]

If I read the GS850GLZ portion of the factory manual correctly, it states that the fork oil level should be 260mm or 10.2" below the top with the forks collapsed and the spring out. That's almost double what the GS850G spec is at 140mm or 5.5".

Is this correct? Just want to make sure before I go to all the trouble of removing the forks and replacing the oil. I'll apologize in advance for not believing the factory service manual.

[Dogma]

The GL model has leading axle forks. That is, the axle is on the front of of the fork tube, instead of down at the end. So, all the guts of the fork are several inches farther from the top of the fork. The difference is about what you find in the oil level spec.

Don't be afraid or embarrassed to doubt the manual. Errors have been detected before. Anyhow it's good that you're thinking about what you're doing instead of blindly following along.

[tkent02]

The GL model has leading axle forks. That is, the axle is on the front of of the fork tube, instead of down at the end. So, all the guts of the fork are several inches farther from the top of the fork. The difference is about what you find in the oil level spec.

Don't be afraid or embarrassed to doubt the manual. Errors have been detected before. Anyhow it's good that you're thinking about what you're doing instead of blindly following along.

Just a guess, but the L has longer springs, putting them in will displace more oil than the shorter G springs, so the oil level without the springs should be lower. Also the L is meant to be ridden slowly, less aggressively, so less bottoming resistance is probably required. I bet they are originally set up for a softer ride overall. Hence a larger air space above the oil works just fine.

Or something. Not a suspension expert, but I have been reading a lot about it lately due to problems with another project.

[JTGS850GL]

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll be changing the old oil out ASAP. Picked up some 15W fork oil yesterday. I opened the bleed screw on the forks just to make sure I could and found thick silvery goop that dripped out. May even be the original fluid of 32 years. I'd say it time for a change.

[jsandidge]

Keep us posted

Let us know how this goes for you. I have the same bike and am preparing to do the same thing in a couple weeks. Hope you have no problems. And pics would be great!