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#492246 kenbinsc (User) Fresh Boarder Posts: 4 Changing the Front Fork Oil 5 Years, 9 Months ago   This thread discusses the Content article: Changing the Front Fork Oil ive got a 08 roadstar bought it used with 12000 miles. im new to motorcyles[little over a year riding] how will i know when fork oil needs replacing   Logged     The administrator has disabled public write access. #492273 FRJ (User) Fat Roadstar Jon Platinum Boarder Posts: 1550 Re:Changing the Front Fork Oil 5 Years, 9 Months ago   Yami doesn't recommend any interval, my Clymers manual suggests every year. Both are a little extreme. I think a lot of it is by feel, but some things I noticed: - front end was way spongy, especially on hard stops, and I could rock it at a standstill almost down to its stops - bike became squirrely / wobbly on the highway - bumps went from feeling firm to sharp and annoying - front tire unevenly wearing/cupped - the bike was no longer fun to ride - mine became custom lowered - everytime I sat on it, the whole thing dropped.2 inches Mine was an extreme example, as I'm pretty sure my springs were shot too. I plan on doing mine every other year with average riding.   Logged       The administrator has disabled public write access. #492277 jd750ace (User) Front toward enemy Platinum Boarder Posts: 18763 Re:Changing the Front Fork Oil 5 Years, 9 Months ago   I change mine when I change a front tire. They seem to last about 10-12K miles. It usually is dirty, shot to hell if it is the original oil. AI use Bel-Ray Synthetic in my forks, but you can use what you want. There is a huge variety of options at shops that do off-road.   Logged       The administrator has disabled public write access. #492278 Crusierbob (User) Platinum Boarder Posts: 1314 Re:Changing the Front Fork Oil 5 Years, 9 Months ago   The interval depends on how much the bike is ridden more than time. I change my fork oil about every 15,000 - 20,000 miles or every couple of years. If it is close to the time to clean and repack the steering head bearings (Yamaha recommends every 16K) then you can kill two birds with one stone.   Logged       The administrator has disabled public write access. #983129 twowheelsgood (User) Fresh Boarder Posts: 14 Re:Changing the Front Fork Oil 1 Year, 6 Months ago   Thanks for the very useful article! On other bikes I have owned I've seen a spec for fork oil capacity measured as "top clearance" or "air gap" where a measurement is taken with the fork leg compressed all the way and the spring removed, recording the distance between the fork oil level and the top of the tube. This is usually mentioned as a more accurate measure to keep the oil level identical between the two fork legs, which is important for uniform damping and preload. (The air gap at top of the fluid plays a role in preload since it compresses with the fork.) Does anyone have this spec for the roadie?   Logged     The administrator has disabled public write access. #983135 jd750ace (User) Front toward enemy Platinum Boarder Posts: 18763 Re:Changing the Front Fork Oil 1 Year, 6 Months ago   Book spec is 110mm. If you are over about 190 pounds I recommend 100mm and use 10W oil, not the 5W that is original. You will see how watery and nasty it is when you dump them. Also, good old ATF is a great flushing agent to get the sludge cleaned out of the bottom of the tubes well.   Logged       The administrator has disabled public write access. #983209 Lug Nut (User) Motorcycle-Based Therapeutic Intervention works! Platinum Boarder Posts: 1498 Re:Changing the Front Fork Oil 1 Year, 6 Months ago   I just did mine on my 1998 Royal Star Tour Classic. I went from 5w to 10w Lucas Synthetic fork oil and used Marvel Mystery oil to clean/flush the fork tubes. Cane out nice and VERY clean (40k mile bike). I have air shocks up front and put the pressure to 3 psi....rides and handles great.   Logged     2000 Roadstar Silverado. Jetted, ported manifold, drilled airbox, Bubs/Rinehart exhaust, Roadwing, PCS solo seat, racetech springs, AIS delete, custom wheels CII tires, custom paint. 2002 Royal Star Venture Midnight, stereo, Ivans Jet Kit, K&N airfilters, Barons Nasty Boyz 4-2-4 exhaust, etc. 1998 Royal Star Tour Classic, stripped down mostly stoc   The administrator has disabled public write access.

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