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I'd like to ask people's opinions on preferred methods of achieving fork oil level. I've got new Progressive springs, new fork seals & dust caps; I ordered new fork bushings but they're on back order, and won't likely arrive before I re-do the front end.
The two methods I'm familiar with for adding the correct level of fork oil seem to be fairly straightforward: 1) add a precise predetermined amount of oil to the forks, ensuring that the same amount gets into each fork leg. Or 2) add a little more than the recommended amount to each fork leg, and remove excess oil until a precise oil level, as measured from the top of each fork leg, is reached.
My questions are; a) does one method give a 'closer to spec' result than the other? b) Progressive springs being larger than stock springs, when combined with the stock amount of oil, would it result in too much oil/spring volume and not enough air volume in the fork? I do understand that with the Prog springs, I'll likely no longer need the air-adjustment feature on my forks.
As far as amounts and measures go, I think I recall that I should be using 241ml of oil per fork leg, or an oil level 140mm down from the top of the fork. The springs are Prog 11-1107, the bike is an '81 1000GL, the apparent red-headed step-child of the GS world. (My apologies to all red-headed step-children reading this.) This model seems to be harder to find info and specs for, and I don't yet have a manual for it. I do, however, have a Chilton repair manual that covers (among many other makes and models) '77-'81 GS750 & 850. I also have the old manual from my old '83 650 Katana. (There's a great story about loss and resurrection that goes with that bike, which I'll happily tell at a later date.) These two manuals, along with blow-up diagrams from PartsPitstop.com, should be more than enough to get this done; but, not having the correct manual on hand, is it safe to assume that the forks are generally like the 1100GL, while the rest of the chassis is closer to the 1000G?
I've been searching the site for specific info and found threads dealing with similar topics, but no direct answers as of yet. Hope this isn't beating a dead horse with questions already asked and answered.
Incidentally, the bike came to me with Progressive shocks on the rear. I don't know the spring rate on them, however, the PO was about 40 lbs more than me, (I'm around 160, but gradually increasing) but rode in a much more civilized manner.
Thanks,
-chris
The two methods I'm familiar with for adding the correct level of fork oil seem to be fairly straightforward: 1) add a precise predetermined amount of oil to the forks, ensuring that the same amount gets into each fork leg. Or 2) add a little more than the recommended amount to each fork leg, and remove excess oil until a precise oil level, as measured from the top of each fork leg, is reached.
My questions are; a) does one method give a 'closer to spec' result than the other? b) Progressive springs being larger than stock springs, when combined with the stock amount of oil, would it result in too much oil/spring volume and not enough air volume in the fork? I do understand that with the Prog springs, I'll likely no longer need the air-adjustment feature on my forks.
As far as amounts and measures go, I think I recall that I should be using 241ml of oil per fork leg, or an oil level 140mm down from the top of the fork. The springs are Prog 11-1107, the bike is an '81 1000GL, the apparent red-headed step-child of the GS world. (My apologies to all red-headed step-children reading this.) This model seems to be harder to find info and specs for, and I don't yet have a manual for it. I do, however, have a Chilton repair manual that covers (among many other makes and models) '77-'81 GS750 & 850. I also have the old manual from my old '83 650 Katana. (There's a great story about loss and resurrection that goes with that bike, which I'll happily tell at a later date.) These two manuals, along with blow-up diagrams from PartsPitstop.com, should be more than enough to get this done; but, not having the correct manual on hand, is it safe to assume that the forks are generally like the 1100GL, while the rest of the chassis is closer to the 1000G?
I've been searching the site for specific info and found threads dealing with similar topics, but no direct answers as of yet. Hope this isn't beating a dead horse with questions already asked and answered.
Incidentally, the bike came to me with Progressive shocks on the rear. I don't know the spring rate on them, however, the PO was about 40 lbs more than me, (I'm around 160, but gradually increasing) but rode in a much more civilized manner.
Thanks,
-chris
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