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Extra fluid in forks

  • Thread starter Thread starter ZacharyB
  • Start date Start date
Z

ZacharyB

Guest
My front suspension is pretty worn out. I remember a post from someone whose forks would not compress due to the extra amount of oil he accidentally put in.

In order to firm up my suspension, at the possible expense of my fork seals, could I put a half-ounce of extra oil in my 6-oz. '78 750 forks in order to firm them up a little?

I'm wondering about the median between damaging the seals and having a spongy suspension. Half ounce? 1 ounce? Even two ounces more per fork?
 
When I got the bike the forks seemed okay. When I changed the oil in the forks, suddenly they lost some tension. The front end would sag an inch at stops. This is 15W fork oil! Did I have some really high weight fork oil in the forks? How high does fork oil go?
 
Fork oil will not affect the amount of sag at all. The oil is only used to dampen the movement of the shocks- esentially the oil slows down the fork so it's not a pogo stick. The springs and preload adjusters (if you have them) adjust preload, or the amount of tension on the spring. If you have no preload adjsuters and want to decrease the sag, install some pvc pipe sections on top of the springs with big washers.
 
ZacharyB said:
When I got the bike the forks seemed okay. When I changed the oil in the forks, suddenly they lost some tension. The front end would sag an inch at stops. This is 15W fork oil! Did I have some really high weight fork oil in the forks? How high does fork oil go?
Click to expand...

See Jethro's reply also.

But I have to ask, how much air came out when you changed the fluid?
Did the previous owner have a bunch of air pressure in them?
The air will "hold" the forks up also. Don't exceed the suggested amount of air if you decide to use air. Does that make sense?

Time to save up and get some Progressive springs for those forks.
 
These are non-air forks, and both of your replies make sense. I don't think I'll ever be able to afford a new suspension. It seems pretty tired all around. I will try the PVC pipe with washer idea. How much PVC do you recommend? 1/8th of an inch?
 
Excess oil=bad. Thicker oil = good. More preload =firmer. new springs=firmer. If it sags a lot, new springs are in order or a longer spacer.
 
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