Fork oil change??

[Leskid]

I thought my fork oil was original because it was a 1-owner bike when I bought it last year with only 9000kms on it.

But even if it had been changed just as the guy decided to sell (would you?), I've ridden her up to 30000kms now. From what I read, particularly in my post yesterday, I was expecting to empty out black bilge water with gobs of crud. In fact, the oil that came out was bright, clear and because of my oil-sucking rig (basically a big turkey baster bulb with a clear vinyl tube, I was able to inspect each load that I pulled out. Even the oil at the very bottom was clear and contained no sediment of any type?

I refilled and pumped them over and over but could not suck out any type of crud. Could the difference be related to climate? Whatever, I'm not complaining about that.

But I am ticked-off as hell right now. I put her all back together, wiped her down and she's looking pretty. I came inside and on the table where I had cleaned and set aside all the pieces that came out, there's one of the dampening rods. :******:

 

[dcarver]

DOH! Wonder what type of fluid was used..

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Uugghh! I know that must have been painful to see that rod....

.

You'll get an amazing satisfaction pulling them off and putting them back together much faster than the first time.

.

not that I would know of such an experience first hand... :huh:

 

[Bungie]

I came inside and on the table where I had cleaned and set aside all the pieces that came out, there's one of the dampening rods. :******:

DOH!

You've motivated me to change mine. I'll get'r done before Friday next week when I pull out for NH. Gonna go darkside next week as well.

 

[Leskid]

I came inside and on the table where I had cleaned and set aside all the pieces that came out, there's one of the dampening rods. :******:

DOH!

You've motivated me to change mine. I'll get'r done before Friday next week when I pull out for NH. Gonna go darkside next week as well.

no ****, really? While I do see the $ advantage, I just can't see charging at a set of twisties with non-round rubber.

I'm anxious to hear about what your oil looks like. Haulinashe had me CONVINCED I was going to drain-out swamp-sludge but my old oil was just a little darker than the new oil, without any form of sludge or sediment. Several other members also said that within 3000 miles, fork oil is sludge... and yet even though I can't confirm/deny that my fork oil actually was original, I CAN positively say that I rode 21000kms on mine and the fork oil looked minimally deteriorated. Maybe something about cooler climates....

ps: I'm still trying to understand the holiday-inn / photographer reference. Still no luck

 

[RadioHowie]

Gonna go darkside next week as well.

no ****, really? While I do see the $ advantage, I just can't see charging at a set of twisties with non-round rubber.

PM Sergeantnic and ask him how a fat, old man on an '04 with fat, non-round rubber hung in with him on a recent CenFla ride. :yahoo:

 

[Leskid]

Gonna go darkside next week as well.

no ****, really? While I do see the $ advantage, I just can't see charging at a set of twisties with non-round rubber.

PM Sergeantnic and ask him how a fat, old man on an '04 with fat, non-round rubber hung in with him on a recent CenFla ride. :yahoo:

Steve

no way anyone will ever convince me that saving $200 once or twice a year on rubber is a 'saving'. I won't imply that opinions other than mine are wrong, I'm 'jes sayin.....

been meaning to ask about your last 2 avatars, what's up with the frankenstein thing?

 

[Bustanut joker]

The fact that you answered means the Darkside has piqued yer interest leskid... Resistance is FUTILE! h34r:

Tell 'im old man..

:jester:

 

[RadioHowie]

been meaning to ask about your last 2 avatars, what's up with the frankenstein thing?

It's all in honor of "Frankenbike".....my "back-from-the-dead" Cerulean Battlecruiser!

 

[Patriot]

been meaning to ask about your last 2 avatars, what's up with the frankenstein thing?

he's a member of the atomic engine club...swapped out his '04 imploded engine with another peeps running '03 (came out a wrecked bike)

4 of so of us have learned the hard way not to trust a "marbles in a can" sound from the right side of the engine...it indicates a failing CCT (cam chain tensioner) which can quickly lead to the pistons meeting valves up close and personal. Will ruin you whole day fa sure.

his Frankenbike and my Francistein bikes indicate foreign internal combustine units transplanted into owner's frame

 

[Leskid]

The fact that you answered means the Darkside has piqued yer interest leskid... Resistance is FUTILE! h34r: Tell 'im old man..

:jester:

BJ,

the day you see a car tire on my scoot will be the same day someone posts a youtube video of you & I having a three-way with your hottest ewe.

Note to self: stay away from Michigan

 

[RadioHowie]

The fact that you answered means the Darkside has piqued yer interest leskid... Resistance is FUTILE! h34r: Tell 'im old man..

:jester:

BJ,

the day you see a car tire on my scoot will be the same day someone posts a youtube video of you & I having a three-way with your hottest ewe.

Note to self: stay away from Michigan

So.....Darksiding isn't your only temptation? :rofl:

 

[HaulinAshe]

An FJR that's been ridden 9,000 kilometers 5,600 miles???

I must have missed that somehow. I was focusing on the 2003 year model. My bad. My apologies!!!

I change fork oil at least every year, no matter what the mileage. But my bikes average closer to 5,600 miles a month than 5,600 miles a year.

Cooler climate and possibly ridden primarily or even exclusively in dry conditions, would definitely explain cleaner fork oil than expected. I do an appreciable amount of gravel roads, ride in weather no matter what, and my average day is 400 miles so suspension fluids get long periods of heated use.

 

[Intech]

An FJR that's been ridden 9,000 kilometers 5,600 miles???I must have missed that somehow. I was focusing on the 2003 year model. My bad. My apologies!!!

I change fork oil at least every year, no matter what the mileage. But my bikes average closer to 5,600 miles a month than 5,600 miles a year.

Cooler climate and possibly ridden primarily or even exclusively in dry conditions, would definitely explain cleaner fork oil than expected. I do an appreciable amount of gravel roads, ride in weather no matter what, and my average day is 400 miles so suspension fluids get long periods of heated use.

I'm with you Jeff. On the annual oil change that is. I am not quite up to your mileage yet. I changeed my oil at the beginning of the year after 20K a little less than a year and it was dirty. No sludge or anything, but the fluid was on the brownish side.

 

[Bungie]

[no ****, really? While I do see the $ advantage, I just can't see charging at a set of twisties with non-round rubber.
I'm anxious to hear about what your oil looks like. Haulinashe had me CONVINCED I was going to drain-out swamp-sludge but my old oil was just a little darker than the new oil, without any form of sludge or sediment. Several other members also said that within 3000 miles, fork oil is sludge... and yet even though I can't confirm/deny that my fork oil actually was original, I CAN positively say that I rode 21000kms on mine and the fork oil looked minimally deteriorated. Maybe something about cooler climates....

ps: I'm still trying to understand the holiday-inn / photographer reference. Still no luck

I'm only going with the car tire for this trip. 15-20Km on a premium bike tire, lots of which will just be slab borders on abuse. Throw in I'm buying lightly used tire (5Km) and stainless brake stay from a local guy, whose also going to mount it for me, for a $100 and it becomes a no brainer. (He sold his FJR and bought a Road Zepplin).

I'll snap some pics of the heavy crude I get out of my forks and we can see what 90Km of use looks like. I'm gonna lube up the steering head and change the pads in the back as well.

Have a great time on the Cabot. Thats one spectacular ride!

 

[Leskid]

......But my bikes average closer to 5,600 miles a month than 5,600 miles a year.

that's not in a year, that was the total accumulated mileage after SIX years!!!!

HOW can one buy an FJR brand-new and after 6 years, have averaged LESS that 1000 miles a year? I'm sure not complaining though. What a bonus to stumble-across as a prospective buyer. The best, fastest, prettiest year of FJR in time-capsule condition (with clean fork oil)!

But I'm glad you put the fear of god in me. As FJRremingtonrider suggested, it took a fraction of the time to repeat the process second time around. Now that I've done it a couple of times, this will become a part of my routine spring preparation.

 

[Bungie]

Just came back from picking up 2 quarts of Amsoil "Medium #10" (I'm gonna assume this means 10w) fork oil. Along with a fresh set of EBC brake pads for the rear. We'll get it done tomorrow.

Guilt is a powerful motivator. Nearly as strong as regret.

 

[petey]

I would definitely go with the fork up side down, drain method, over sucking out the fork oil. In fact it's suggested to let it drain several hrs or over night.

 

[Intech]

I would definitely go with the fork up side down, drain method, over sucking out the fork oil. In fact it's suggested to let it drain several hrs or over night.

You can also use some cheap transmission fluid to flush after hanging. It is a lot cheaper than using the expensive fork oil. If you use this method than a couple hours of hanging is sufficient. Ample time to chill and have a couple beers!