TOPIC:

I want to check my fork oil levels. The manual says to remove the rubber cap on top of the fork and remove the upper fork bolt. Problem is my upper fork doesn't really have a standard bolt.

The rubber cap fits down into a square socket. You can kind of see it in the parts diagram (#3).

What kind of tool do I need to remove that "bolt"?

try a 1/2 drive ratchet, ect. that's the trick for my 79MKII.

I believe the bolt referred to is #5 in the diagram. The upper clamp needs to be loosened before attempting to remove the threaded cap that holds the spring assy in.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE SPRING IN UNDER TENSION!!!

Be VERY careful.

OK, then it's the threaded cap I need to remove to check fork oil level. I'll try a half inch rachet after loosening the bolt.

Topper wrote: OK, then it's the threaded cap I need to remove to check fork oil level. I'll try a half inch rachet after loosening the bolt.

When checking fluid level, I recommend you place a bottle jack under the engine (use a piece of wood between the jack and oil pan for protection) and with the bike on centerstand lift the front wheel off the ground. This way the forks are fully extended when you check fluid. If you don't know the last time fork oil was changed, or if it's been more than 2 years, I would change it while you have the caps off (it's due or overdue). In either case, do one fork leg at a time so you don't risk collapsing the front forks. I use 15W Bel Ray Fork Oil with great success. Ed

Thanks Ed. I bought the bike in January and have no idea when the fork oil was changed. It certainly would be a good idea to change it.

Topper wrote: Thanks Ed. I bought the bike in January and have no idea when the fork oil was changed. It certainly would be a good idea to change it.

Odds are, it has never been changed

I change my fork oil twice as often as I do my motor oil. I don't know why people tighten the fork caps so tight since there is an "O" ring up there to prevent any leaking. When ever I replace it I just snug it up and that is all. I made a special socket to remove the cap. The fork oil gets dirty very fast.

otakar wrote: I change my fork oil twice as often as I do my motor oil. I don't know why people tighten the fork caps so tight since there is an "O" ring up there to prevent any leaking. When ever I replace it I just snug it up and that is all. I made a special socket to remove the cap. The fork oil gets dirty very fast.

Are you serious.... every 1500 miles you change your fork oil?

That's what I call attention to details

First of all I change my motor oil every 5K. And I change my fork oil every 2-2.5K.

otakar wrote: First of all I change my motor oil every 5K. And I change my fork oil every 2-2.5K.

That's still pretty impressive. The maintenance chart in my manual recommends fork oil change every 10,000 miles. When I bought the bike in January it had about 16,000 on the odometer. It's approaching 19,000 now.

I suspect Mcdroid is right, there's a good chance it hasn't been changed in 32 years. That could be vintage fork oil from the factory in those tubes! I wonder what it'll go for on ebay...

If you checked the fork oil after about 1000 Mi. you would know why I change it every 2.5K The oil looks like "ARCo Graphite" This is also why I started to use a Non-detergent Motor oil for the job. I just add 5% seal conditioner to it. I also flush the forks with K-1 each time.

Edit;
At one time I used to use ATF but I found it too light and by the time I added enough conditioner to it to thicken it up it was just as expensive as Fork Oil.