Fork oil level: with or without springs?

RedOctober · April 6th, 2012, 10:44 PM

I'm installing racetech springs...just finished 1 fork, it's back on the bike and secured. Then I realized...I put the oil with the spring in and set the level to 140mm (racetech recommended). Does the spring volume make that much of a difference? I'd hate to disassemble everything again.

RedOctober · April 7th, 2012, 02:38 PM

Apparently it does. I opened up the forks again and set the oil level to 140mm without springs installed. That equaled about 70mm with forks in. We'll see how well it works.

HKr1 · April 9th, 2012, 12:29 PM

springs out, forks compressed.

AlanDog · April 9th, 2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKr1

springs out, forks compressed.

So I don't get "forks compressed". Without the springs in the fork, the fork will totally collapse.

It seems you would set it with the fork at the top of it's travel (full extended). If yes, why is this called 'compressed'? If no... I just don't get it.

CZroe · April 13th, 2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanDog

So I don't get "forks compressed". Without the springs in the fork, the fork will totally collapse.

It seems you would set it with the fork at the top of it's travel (full extended). If yes, why is this called 'compressed'? If no... I just don't get it.

Hydraulics. The fluid does not compress under pressure like a gas would, therefore, the levels must "fit" with them fully compressed. They would "totally collapse," which is exactly what they mean by "compressed."

abhijitz · April 16th, 2012, 02:06 AM

I am using 0.8kg Sonic springs and using stock oil level height. 108/110mm. Worked perfect for me at Laguna Seca Raceway. Upgraded to 12.5W with preload caps. Testing today at Infineon Raceway.

April 6th, 2012, 10:44 PM	#1
RedOctober ninjette.org member Name: Andrei Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2008 Daytona 675 Posts: 212	Fork oil level: with or without springs? I'm installing racetech springs...just finished 1 fork, it's back on the bike and secured. Then I realized...I put the oil with the spring in and set the level to 140mm (racetech recommended). Does the spring volume make that much of a difference? I'd hate to disassemble everything again.

April 16th, 2012, 02:06 AM	#6
abhijitz ninjette.org sage Name: Abhijit Location: San Francisco Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): Many Two Wheels .. Posts: 611	I am using 0.8kg Sonic springs and using stock oil level height. 108/110mm. Worked perfect for me at Laguna Seca Raceway. Upgraded to 12.5W with preload caps. Testing today at Infineon Raceway. __________________________________________________ [ex-AFM #828 \| SMUSA #828 \| Sponsors : MotionPro \| LeoVince \| Insurrection Racing Gloves \| QstarZ Laptimers + OEM Parts @ 30-40% OFF : Harry @ 1-877-437-1631,17 harry@hondaeasttoledo.com

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April 7th, 2012, 02:38 PM	#2
RedOctober ninjette.org member Name: Andrei Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2008 Daytona 675 Posts: 212	Apparently it does. I opened up the forks again and set the oil level to 140mm without springs installed. That equaled about 70mm with forks in. We'll see how well it works.

April 9th, 2012, 12:29 PM	#3
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	springs out, forks compressed.