Just bought a 80 KZ550 off eBay. Bad forks?

Pulled the carbs apart, made new choke flaps, cleaned the jets, filled the master cylinder (it was dry, still have to bleed it but it doesn't leak and the brake works), and now, I've got this new problem.

When I brake (going say, 5mph), the front forks compress completely.

Do I need to fill them with oil, or something?

Help get me on the road so I can paint the darn thing.

Sounds like it could mean new fork seals are in order.
Any leaks around the dust covers?

the oil level might be too low in the forks. to check, the manual says:
- lift the front wheel off the ground
- remove the top plug and front spring from the inner tube
- insert a rod (coat hanger) down into the tube, and measure the distance from the top of the inner tube to the oil level...it should be 505 mm.

or maybe its not the correct oil weight ...it should be SAE 5W20.

this is for the KZ550A......edit: the 1980 kz550A1 to be more exact.

Post edited by: duncan, at: 2007/05/02 15:05

It doesn't look like there's any oil leaking around the rubber boots.

I'll check the oil level when I get home.

Anything special techniques there, or do you just pop the black caps off?

wreckedmyteg wrote:

I'll check the oil level when I get home.

Anything special techniques there, or do you just pop the black caps off?

this might help. it will involve removing part numbers 15 to 18:



good luck

edit...this is the OEM manual:

img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=forkoilum2.jpg

Post edited by: duncan, at: 2007/05/02 18:47