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Forky Air

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by robvoi, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. robvoi

    robvoi Member

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    I have a 81 550 Seca, fork oil was dripping on right front, undertook, after reading as much as possible on this amazing forum, the removeal of said forks, drained them, a lot of fine metal shavings were pouring out, cleaned it with hydrolic jack oil, as suggested here, put them together, filled them with the correct, according to the manual, amount of oil, yes, I used hydrolic jack oil again.
    I did not, wasn't able and didn't want to break anything by pushing (forcing) the top cap down to get the srping out and refill from the top.
    I refilled the forks from the bottom, i.e. I had the forks upside down and filled them with new oil and then srewed in the bolt.

    Question: should all the air pushed out of the forks and just be filled with fluid?

    Thank you in advance for the responses.
     
    robvoi, Mar 19, 2012
    #1
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    No, you're fine.

    For about a day. Then the fork that was leaking will continue to leak.

    What you need to do is A: get the caps out, it's gotta happen. Get some Kroil.

    B: REBUILD the forks; replace the seals and dust seals. Otherwise it's just going to pump out all the oil you put in as you ride. You might want to go ahead and replace the springs, it's an inexpensive but worthwhile upgrade.

    C: Use fork oil.
     
    bigfitz52, Mar 20, 2012
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  3. darkfibre

    darkfibre Member

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    Forks are not 'full' of oil, there is a certain amount. Generally most have a spec from the top (as well as a specified amount of oil), when the forks are compressed.

    Your method is wrong.
     
    darkfibre, Mar 20, 2012
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  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I assumed (possibly rashly) that "filled" meant "added the specified amount."

    If indeed they were FILLED filled then yes it's very wrong.
     
    bigfitz52, Mar 20, 2012
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  5. robvoi

    robvoi Member

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    I used the specified amount as per manual.
    Great ... rebuilding .....
    Kroil to losen the top caps and then, will I be able to push the caps down to get the wirerings out?
    I am really tentative in hammering or using too much force.
     
    robvoi, Mar 20, 2012
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  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Yep. You can hammer all you want, just don't go very far past the retaining rings.

    I fought with rusted-in caps for MONTHS before another forum member recommended Kroil; and it worked immediately.
     
    bigfitz52, Mar 20, 2012
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  7. robvoi

    robvoi Member

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    thx bigfitz, ordered Kroil this morning .... I'll keep everyone up to date
     
    robvoi, Mar 20, 2012
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