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Message started by barry68v10 on 11/12/07 at 13:40:10

Title: Fork oil change results
Post by barry68v10 on 11/12/07 at 13:40:10

After doing some research, I changed my fork oil with Amsoil Synthetic ATF. So far I really like the improved response and rebound dampening. The one thing I'm still wondering is this:

The front axle didn't seat in the same place on the pinch bolt as before. There are two or three deep grooves in the axel sticking out on the inside that was apparently the place where the pinch bolt caught it before. Should I be concerned about this?

Title: Re: Fork oil change results
Post by Savage_Greg on 11/12/07 at 13:48:27

It depends...:P

I mean, (don't shoot yet) are you sure that you got it together right?

I do know that I'm not particularly fond of the fork caps as the method to tighten the top triple tree to the tubes. You kinda gotta loosen and retighten the lower triple tree clamps just to make sure that you don't pull the top and bottom trees together when you tighten the fork cap (that's what I do anyway).

Either way, if you are concerned, raise the front wheel and loosen the axle pinch bolt. Then loosen the lower tree clamps and see if there was any binding or if the trees are twisted at all (relative to eachother).

If not, maybe it was wrong because of a PO. Good luck.

Title: Re: Fork oil change results
Post by barry68v10 on 11/12/07 at 19:10:26

I didn't have time to tear into it today, hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for the response, Greg. No, I'm not sure it's back together right even though I was when I did it :-/

Title: Re: Fork oil change results
Post by barry68v10 on 11/12/07 at 19:46:35

Ok, I couldn't stand it. I went out and tore into it anyhow. Here's what I've concluded:

When I started this project, I didn't remove the Tkat forkbrace for fork removal to keep them in the same relative position. Same goes for bolting them back into the triple tree. When I just went out and loosened the pinch bolt at the bottom of the right fork, I noticed I could force it in and out. With no weight on it, it wanted to sit further out than originally, or in the same spot as after the R&R.

Previously, the fork seals would wipe dirt up the forks in an uneven pattern and I never paid much attention to it. Now I notice the slight ring at the top of the seal travel is very symetric and round. I have to conclude that the geometry is better now than before, but I can't really account for the grooves on the axle. I did ride my bike and it felt fine, actually still much better than before the fork oil swap.

Also, I didn't tighten the bottom triple tree clamps until I had completely tightened the fork caps. I tightened everything from the top, down.

I did verify the trees are in the right position relative to each other, and there is no binding...

After checking everything for the third time, I think the dealership had it messed up, maybe even when they assembled it.

At any rate, if anybody thinks I've made a mistake please let me know. I'm not a big fan of the "flaming death" thing... ;D

Title: Re: Fork oil change results
Post by Savage_Greg on 11/13/07 at 06:35:17

barry68v10 wrote:

Sounds pretty normal to me.

Quote:

Previously, the fork seals would wipe dirt up the forks in an uneven pattern and I never paid much attention to it. Now I notice the slight ring at the top of the seal travel is very symetric and round. I have to conclude that the geometry is better now than before, but I can't really account for the grooves on the axle. I did ride my bike and it felt fine, actually still much better than before the fork oil swap.

Also, I didn't tighten the bottom triple tree clamps until I had completely tightened the fork caps. I tightened everything from the top, down.

I just mentioned it, because the lower clamp bolts are handy if (and only if) you need to retain the forks temporarily during assembly. Gotta loosen them as you did.

Quote:

I did verify the trees are in the right position relative to each other, and there is no binding...

After checking everything for the third time, I think the dealership had it messed up, maybe even when they assembled it.

Dealerships are only experts in their own mind :P

Quote:

At any rate, if anybody thinks I've made a mistake please let me know. I'm not a big fan of the "flaming death" thing... ;D

Think that you got it, myself.