Suspension upgrades....


flipper

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To change the oil............ it's in the service manual but............... remove the fork legs, remembering to loosen the fork caps while the leg is held in the bottom yoke.

1 leg at a time - completely unscrew the fork cap. Compress the spring so that you can release the cinch nut on the damper rod below the cap. Unscrw the fork cap. Decompress the spring. Remove the spacer. Remove the spring. Invert the leg and pour out the old oil. With the leg held pointing slightly downhill pump the damper rod repeatedly until all the old oil is out.

When you do this DO NOT hold the leg by the outer stanchion, hold it by the "foot" ie the brake caliper bracket otherwise the inner will fall out of the outer!!!!!

When you are satisfied that all the oil is out hold the leg vertically by the foot in a soft jawed vice.

Pour in approx. 400ml of oil. Pump the damper rod until you hear that all the air is bled out. Add more oil then remove using the level setting tool to set the correct height. Pump the damper rod a dozen more times and recheck the level. Top up and adjust as required.

Insert the spring and spacer. Compress the spring, pulling up on the damper rod so that the fork cap can be screwed on. Set the rebound damping screw if applicable. Tighten the cinch nut. Check the damping adjustment again. Decompress the spring and tighten the fork cap into the leg. Check the damping adjustment again cos you'll be pissed if it's wrong when the forks are back on the bike.

Fit the leg back into the yokes. Tighten the bottom yoke first so you can nip up the top cap. Replace all the front end.

Maxton internals will be lovely and miles better than thicker oil only - the compression damping on the stock fork is non existent. The GP Suspension valve kit is excellent and less than half the price of Maxton kit. Others offer valving kits and full replacement cartridges too.
 
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Locksmith

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I went for Silkolene 5W with ohlins springs using ohlins recommended 145mm oil level. (I think, though I cant really remember!! )
I gave the shop doing it a 1lt bottle and had some left in it after.
Firmed the front right up, I had to back the preload and compression right off compared to what I was running with std set up.

I see 130mm has been mentioned, can I adjust the levels whilst the forks are still fitted to the bike?
 

flipper

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you can but............ don't attempt to unscrew the fork cap without loosening the top yoke pinch bolt.

Somewhere Marthy posted an equivalent cc per mm height change. It was 27cc (ml) = 20mm oil height.

Use a syringe to get the volume correct as if you put in too much you cannot really lower the level with any accuracy without taking the forks off.
 
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Locksmith

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Cheers Flipper
Am I right in thinking that the 130mm level refers to the oil level is 130mm down from the top of the fork tube?
If correct then my 145 means I've got less oil in mine at the moment?
 

flipper

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Cheers Flipper
Am I right in thinking that the 130mm level refers to the oil level is 130mm down from the top of the fork tube?
If correct then my 145 means I've got less oil in mine at the moment?
That is correct Locksmith. Bringing the level up to 130mm means that the air "spring" gives more resistance to dive. It makes a lot of difference going to 130mm.

The level is measured from the top of the outer leg with the forks compressed and the spring removed.

BTW - if you adjust the level with the forks on the bike only remove one fork cap at a time................................... and probably best to support the bike with a jack or similar to stop the forks collapsing.
 
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Locksmith

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Thanks. So I need to add 20ml to raise the level by 15mm if my maths is right?
 


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