Fork oil... Voyager 1700... measurement?

[sho_greg]

guys

I need help.... what should the fork oil measure in mm??? I'm reading about 390mm of fluid on collapsed forks without springs.

Trying to even them out.

[kpmhspirit]

guys

I need help.... what should the fork oil measure in mm??? I'm reading about 390mm of fluid on collapsed forks without springs.

Trying to even them out.


This is from service manual for 2013-2014 Vaquero

[Sabre-t]

Same as Kpmhspirit for Voyagers VN1700A & B.

If they are that low, the oil has really been abused. I would advise a complete oil change.

1) Pour the old oil out, pumping the forks to get all the old oil out of both forks.
2) Pour a small amount of fresh oil in, pump a few times, then pour out with more pumping while inverted.
3) Add new oil.

This would be a good time to up the fork oil to something with a higher viscosity (weight) if you are not happy with the front end response. Many like it to be a little stiffer. I use Maxima 15 weight (not the racing version, though!). If you are not aware, you can't compare fork oil weights like you can engine oils. One brand's 15 wt is another's 12 or 17 wt. Pick a brand and stick with it if you like the front end response.

http://mahonkin.com/~milktree/motorcycle/fork-oil.html

[RACNRAY]

On the 1700 forks I have serviced I have used 20 weight oil and raised the fork oil level 10-15mm from stock, depending on the fork action b4 the servicing, riding style and total weight of rider and passenger.

[mbarr10]

Same as Kpmhspirit for Voyagers VN1700A & B.

If they are that low, the oil has really been abused. I would advise a complete oil change.

1) Pour the old oil out, pumping the forks to get all the old oil out of both forks.
2) Pour a small amount of fresh oil in, pump a few times, then pour out with more pumping while inverted.
3) Add new oil.

This would be a good time to up the fork oil to something with a higher viscosity (weight) if you are not happy with the front end response. Many like it to be a little stiffer. I use Maxima 15 weight (not the racing version, though!). If you are not aware, you can't compare fork oil weights like you can engine oils. One brand's 15 wt is another's 12 or 17 wt. Pick a brand and stick with it if you like the front end response.

http://mahonkin.com/~milktree/motorcycle/fork-oil.html

:tup::tup:
Just had mine done at the dealer they used Kawi 10wt. Seemed stiffer than stock? Could be me have not sat on it for 3 months and could be the oil leaked out that is why they replaced the seals.

Looks Like they put 410 ml in I will double check though

[Sabre-t]

:tup::tup:
Just had mine done at the dealer they used Kawi 10wt. Seemed stiffer than stock? Could be me have not sat on it for 3 months and could be the oil leaked out that is why they replaced the seals.

Looks Like they put 410 ml in I will double check though

The manual for the Voyager recommends Showa SS-8 which is actually a little heavier than Maxima 10 wt. I can't find any specs on the Kawi 10 wt, so no way to compare it to other oils, unless you assume it is rebranded Showa SS-8.

[DragonLady58]

When I first got my Vaquero, she rode like a log wagon....fork oil had been totally ruined, overheated, cooked. Pulled them, flushed out good, replaced dust seals since bushings were still tight.
I slightly overfilled with lucas synth. 15 wt. fork oil....feels like I'm riding my sofa down the road now....
Ride quality is every bit as good as the Gold Wings now....

[Sabre-t]

mbarr10, I finally found a table that compares Kawi G10 (10 wt) to Showa SS-8 here:

https://transmoto.com.au/Comparative-Oil-Weights-Table/

I have a feeling that Kawi was no longer using Showa when your bike was manufactured and that it feels stiffer because the old oil had broken down a lot.

Anyway, the important thing in choosing a fork oil is to stick with the same brand and weight once you find something you like, and to keep it feeling that way, change it on a regular basis. I usually change mine out every 2 years.

[andyvh1959]

Years ago, those of us that rode Japanese bikes of the late 70s to late 80s modded our front forks with a few simple steps:
1. Drained the old oil, increased the damper rod hole diameter, or drilled more holes,
2. Used slightly heavier oil,
3. Set the oil level with the fork leg compressed, about 3" from the top,
4. Installed Progressive wound springs with a softer initial spring rate
5. Installed a plastic pipe coupling spacer to set preload, sag at about 1/2". Some even used VW bug valve springs as the spacer.
6. Drilled/threaded the top caps for Schrader valves to add some air damping. Some added a crossover tube to a single Schrader.

I plan to do something similar this winter on my VN1600 Classic.