SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fork oil change? 2011 S40
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1478376546

Message started by piedmontbuckeye on 11/05/16 at 13:09:05

Title: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by piedmontbuckeye on 11/05/16 at 13:09:05

I am running a risk here as many of my past questions have been addressed in articles in the tech section, but I just can't seem to find the answer to this one:

When I purchased my used bike last week, I was given a repair manual in PDF format on a CD, but it only goes up to 2009. I am assuming that it will still give good info on most things.

However, I want to make sure of the lubrication of various parts of the new (to me) bike. I trusted my last purchase (a 1978 BMW R100/7) seller who told me that everything was OK. I later found out that the front wheel bearings hadn't been touched in years! Very dangerous and I was very lucky!

My question now is, after searching the tech section, and also practically reading that whole manual's pertinent sections, I don't find a way to change fork oil without removing fork and turning upside down to drain. Is this correct? There is not a "drain plug" somewhere on the lower sliders to drain out fork oil?

Title: Re: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by verslagen1 on 11/05/16 at 13:16:59

Yep, take the cap off, slip the fork down out of the tree and set it upside down in a liter jar, cycle a couple of times and it'll be empty.

There is a bolt at the bottom, but I doubt you'll get it loose without making a bigger mess.

Title: Re: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 11/05/16 at 15:25:46

The 2009 manual will work correctly for your 2011. Their may be some wire color changes, that's it.

How many miles are on your bike? No need to change fork oil if it has low miles.

Title: Re: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by LANCER on 11/05/16 at 19:20:01

I do suggest at least checking the fork oil level on any bike, including a brand new one. My 1996, bought new on 2000, had only a few drops of oil in the forks from what the factory put in. Who ever it was the dealer had take my bike out of the crate totally missed that item on the check list, assuming he could read. I did have engine oil at least.
So it NEVER hurts to check.

Title: Re: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by ohiomoto on 11/06/16 at 06:07:54

Changing the fork oil with the forks on the bike won't be any easier that removing them. You still have to remove the wheel to access vthe lower fork bolts, the top cap, spring and preload spacer. But you'll also need to fabricate a special tool and remove the lower bolt from each fork. And technically, you should replace the crush washers on the lower bolts when you install the lower bolt.

So, unless you are replacing the seals or lowering the forks, it's probably easier to just dump the oil out.

Title: Re: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by Rodger on 11/06/16 at 15:22:37

Dumb Question of the day for Lancer:

When I bought my new S40, I found that the tires were 5 psi below recommendations & 3 cells on the battery were below the add line. Now I'm wondering about the fork oil. Is there a way to accurately check the levels without removing the forks from the bike?

Title: Re: Fork oil change? 2011 S40
Post by verslagen1 on 11/06/16 at 15:49:58

Clymer has a method, but involves removing the spring and collapsing the forks.

But that said, the level is about an inch or 2 below the top of the tube when fully collapsed into the bottom.

Do 1 side at a time.
Lift the front end up to take the weight off, but wheel still on ground.
Remove the cap,loosen the signal, loosen the pinch bolt, slide the top tube down.