Question about Fork Oil

thisisbenji · February 21st, 2015, 02:55 PM

Not sure where to post this since it's about my FZ6, not a Ninja. There doesn't seem to be a general maintenance forum that isn't specific to a certain model of Ninja. So mods, feel free to move this.

So I'm in the process of doing the R6 fork mod to my bike. I ordered two separate fork legs off of eBay. One was new old stock and the other was a used unit.

When I flip the used fork leg upside down and then right side up I can hear the oil going from one end to the other. When I do the same thing with the NOS fork leg I can hear the oil but it's very faint

If I hold the NOS fork upside down when I flip it back it seems to take at the most 1 second for the oil to stop moving. With the used fork it takes closer to 5 seconds.

Help!

choneofakind · February 21st, 2015, 03:01 PM

Sounds to me like you should flush the used unit out, then refill it to the factory suggested level. They lose some oil over time and get sediment and general crud in it that plugs stuff up.

Singh2jz · February 21st, 2015, 03:03 PM

I don't know too much, but you think there are bubbles in there? You gonna be changing the oil?

Motofool · February 21st, 2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

........... If I hold the NOS fork upside down when I flip it back it seems to take at the most 1 second for the oil to stop moving. With the used fork it takes closer to 5 seconds.

Help!

Each may have different volume and grade of oil inside.

Ghostt · February 21st, 2015, 07:28 PM

the used fork needs to be R.D.I. anyway.

Change the fork oil to what your riding needs are, a good weight for me was 15w in the Ninjette, in my EX I run 30w

Fill to the OEM specs!!! each one is different.

propilot · February 21st, 2015, 07:41 PM

Sell the used unit and buy another new old stock. U want the same forks imho

Ghostt · February 21st, 2015, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propilot

Sell the used unit and buy another new old stock. U want the same forks imho

No need once you R.D.I., then you replace parts if needed and the consumables

Better than new

Also gives you the perfect excuse to modify the fork springs, and set that sag height finally

thisisbenji · February 22nd, 2015, 10:39 AM

What does RDI stand for?

It sounds like I should take both fork legs to my local shop and have the oil changed so that they match, eh?

Ghostt · February 22nd, 2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

what does rdi stand for?

It sounds like i should take both fork legs to my local shop and have the oil changed so that they match, eh?

remove
disassemble
inspect

thisisbenji · February 22nd, 2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostt

remove
disassemble
inspect

ah... thanks! Definitely taking these forks to the shop then, that's above and beyond my skill level.

flitecontrol · February 22nd, 2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

ah... thanks! Definitely taking these forks to the shop then, that's above and beyond my skill level.

Not really; it's pretty simple. A service manual will take you through it step-by-step with pictures. They pay for themselves pretty much the first time you use them.

Finesse · February 22nd, 2015, 08:01 PM

I would remove disassemble and inspect! Just go slowly and line up your parts in the order in which they came out in the relative positions in which they go inside the fork. If you screw up you can look at a parts fiche or the service manual. Drain the oil and re-fill.

Shops charge a LOT for doing work on the forks. While you have them off the bike, you should go through them in case you ever need to do it in the future (replacing fork seals costs $350)

Ghostt · February 22nd, 2015, 08:06 PM

Also do one at a time, don't do both together, at least this way you have a complete one to reference.

Finesse · February 22nd, 2015, 08:07 PM

Also, you don't need to disassemble the forks to change the oil. Just take the cap off, take the washer and spring and spacer out, tip it upside down and drain the oil, then refill using the service manual capacity or the level with the spring OUT, and put the cap back on.

thisisbenji · February 22nd, 2015, 08:17 PM

Eh. I'll just pay. My shop charges $175 for seal replacement labor. Not too bad. I work 55 hours a week and am studying for some exams about 20 hours a week. So I'd rather just pay someone else to do it. It'll save my sanity.

Plus I want someone with experience to do the inspection of the used fork. I wouldn't be able to spot an issue.

Finesse · February 22nd, 2015, 08:18 PM

Sweet! Hopefully they can clear up the mystery for you. Let us know what they say, I am curious too

thisisbenji · February 23rd, 2015, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finesse

Sweet! Hopefully they can clear up the mystery for you. Let us know what they say, I am curious too

Will do, I'll probably take them to the shop this upcoming Saturday.

February 21st, 2015, 02:55 PM	#1
thisisbenji ninjette.org sage Name: Benji Location: Wadsworth, IL Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Sold), 2009 FZ6, 2015 Honda Grom Posts: 898	Question about Fork Oil Not sure where to post this since it's about my FZ6, not a Ninja. There doesn't seem to be a general maintenance forum that isn't specific to a certain model of Ninja. So mods, feel free to move this. So I'm in the process of doing the R6 fork mod to my bike. I ordered two separate fork legs off of eBay. One was new old stock and the other was a used unit. When I flip the used fork leg upside down and then right side up I can hear the oil going from one end to the other. When I do the same thing with the NOS fork leg I can hear the oil but it's very faint If I hold the NOS fork upside down when I flip it back it seems to take at the most 1 second for the oil to stop moving. With the used fork it takes closer to 5 seconds. Help! __________________________________________________ My Old Bike My New Bike

February 21st, 2015, 03:03 PM	#3
Singh2jz ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Inderveer Location: San Jose Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '07 ex250-F/J Posts: A lot.	I don't know too much, but you think there are bubbles in there? You gonna be changing the oil? __________________________________________________ The Bike \| The Truck

February 21st, 2015, 07:28 PM	#5
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	the used fork needs to be R.D.I. anyway. Change the fork oil to what your riding needs are, a good weight for me was 15w in the Ninjette, in my EX I run 30w Fill to the OEM specs!!! each one is different. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

February 22nd, 2015, 10:39 AM	#8
thisisbenji ninjette.org sage Name: Benji Location: Wadsworth, IL Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Sold), 2009 FZ6, 2015 Honda Grom Posts: 898	What does RDI stand for? It sounds like I should take both fork legs to my local shop and have the oil changed so that they match, eh? __________________________________________________ My Old Bike My New Bike

February 22nd, 2015, 08:01 PM	#12
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	I would remove disassemble and inspect! Just go slowly and line up your parts in the order in which they came out in the relative positions in which they go inside the fork. If you screw up you can look at a parts fiche or the service manual. Drain the oil and re-fill. Shops charge a LOT for doing work on the forks. While you have them off the bike, you should go through them in case you ever need to do it in the future (replacing fork seals costs $350) __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

February 21st, 2015, 03:01 PM	#2
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Sounds to me like you should flush the used unit out, then refill it to the factory suggested level. They lose some oil over time and get sediment and general crud in it that plugs stuff up.

February 21st, 2015, 07:41 PM	#6
propilot ninjette.org member Name: keV Location: NYC Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 04 ex250 Posts: 116	Sell the used unit and buy another new old stock. U want the same forks imho

February 22nd, 2015, 08:06 PM	#13
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Also do one at a time, don't do both together, at least this way you have a complete one to reference. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

February 22nd, 2015, 08:07 PM	#14
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	Also, you don't need to disassemble the forks to change the oil. Just take the cap off, take the washer and spring and spacer out, tip it upside down and drain the oil, then refill using the service manual capacity or the level with the spring OUT, and put the cap back on. __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

February 22nd, 2015, 08:17 PM	#15
thisisbenji ninjette.org sage Name: Benji Location: Wadsworth, IL Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Sold), 2009 FZ6, 2015 Honda Grom Posts: 898	Eh. I'll just pay. My shop charges $175 for seal replacement labor. Not too bad. I work 55 hours a week and am studying for some exams about 20 hours a week. So I'd rather just pay someone else to do it. It'll save my sanity. Plus I want someone with experience to do the inspection of the used fork. I wouldn't be able to spot an issue. __________________________________________________ My Old Bike My New Bike

February 22nd, 2015, 08:18 PM	#16
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	Sweet! Hopefully they can clear up the mystery for you. Let us know what they say, I am curious too __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

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