Triumphrat

dunringil · 04-21-2004, 11:22 AM

Any pointers on changing the fork oil? I've heard several people move up a notch in weight.

Mine specifies 15w.

How much is required on a 96 adventurer.

MickMaguire · 04-21-2004, 12:24 PM

A much better solution to the squishy forks on the classics is to fit higher rate springs. It's not so much that the damping isn't good enough it's that the forks are way too soft, you need to pretty well double the spring rate to get them to perform. If you do that you will find that the damping is ok. I did this plus fitted cartridge valve emulators, and stuck with the stock weight oil and am very pleased with the result. I thought my oil was 10weight but don't have the books here at work to check.

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2004-04-21 10:24 ]

cafetbird · 04-21-2004, 01:40 PM

Older T-Birds were speced 10w, and they changed this spec to 15w on later models. I think the factory was trying to reduce the dive by doing this.

Another thing to do is verify that your oil level is correct per spec. Some folks have found it to be low from the factory. Before I installed the springs, I discovered that my oil was 1" too low, and topping it off made a HUGE difference in dive.

Scot

Slinky · 04-21-2004, 02:35 PM

When I checked mine last year prior to changing the oil, both the fork legs had completely different oil levels. Not just a little difference, a huge difference.

Trumpets4Years · 04-21-2004, 04:25 PM

As part of the MAJOR maintenance when I first got my Adventurer this year, I changed the fork oil and got the level up to spec. However, I too have been wondering about the "squishyness" and was planning to post this exact question.

So, it sounds like I should look into different springs instead of increasing the weight of the oil. Mick - do you have any specs or part # on what would be the right springs to try?

Thanks a lot

Ken

Trumpets4Years · 04-21-2004, 04:28 PM

Sorry dun, forgot to answer your last question......Haynes calls for measuring the oil level to 109mm -- don't know why they can't just give a quantity; it would make the job a lot easier. I just created a dipstick using a clean metal rod and a permanent marker.

Ken

dunringil · 04-21-2004, 04:48 PM

I forgot to mention why I was changing my for oil. #1, it's never been changed. #2, I have a high speed front end wobble. I've tried everything to fix it. Wheel checked & balanced, new tire. etc...

When I ride a passanger, it's smooth as silk, no wobble at all. So that suggested to me maybe the fork oil. My advenuterer calls for 15w, that's what I'm going back with unless someone gives me good reason not too.

I did see a reference to using 20w in the classictuning10a.doc in the download section.

jimmyj900 · 04-22-2004, 01:41 AM

I had a severe braking dive with my 2K Adventurer so I went to Progressive front springs because they'd worked well on a couple of other bikes and gave the best "bang for the buck."

I used 20W oil and set the level at 120 mm below the top of the tube with the tubes fully extended and the new springs installed.

The preload spacers are schedule 40 PVC pipe and I set the length by dropping the pipe into the tubes (with the new springs installed) and drawing a pencil line on the pipe. Then I cut them off on my table saw for a square cut. PVC plumbing works fine for spacers as long as you use the heavier schedule 40 pipe and make sure the ends are square.

Altogether, I'm very happy with the result. The severe dive is gone and the front wheel tracks beautifully on rough surfaces.

I've always preferred a stiff front suspension for tracking with a softer rear suspension for comfort. Not a racing setup, but I'm happy with it.

Jim

MickMaguire · 04-22-2004, 09:57 AM

Quote:

On 2004-04-21 14:25, Trumpets4Years wrote:
Mick - do you have any specs or part # on what would be the right springs to try?

Well I hesitate to recommend them, but I used Race Tech springs. The reason i hesitate to recommend is appalling customer service (see this thread for details). I used their online calculator which basically said that the spring rate needed to be doubled for most riders. You can dial in your bike, weight and riding style and the web site will come back with a recommended spring rate and part number.

Race Tech's customer service / support was awful and when I was initially having what I thought was a problem they were of zero help and just resorted to insults! However, their products are (I have found) very good. I am extremely pleased with my forks now I have their springs and cartridge emulators fitted.

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2004-04-22 07:58 ]