Oil level or oil quantity?. KX 250

[kimoajaj]

Hi guys !

I`m going to rebuild my 2001 KX 250 forks this week, and I wonder how much oil I should put in them?.

The last time I rebuilt forks like these (KX 125) I called the dealer and asked how much oil I should put in them.

The oil level should be 105mm, but I think it seems easier to just measure the amount of oil and pour it into the fork.

If I use the level method, should I fill it up with oil, and measure the level as I fill it up?.

Should I compress the fork to get air out while I do this?.

:whoa:

:)

 

[Pete Payne]

Use oil level of 105mm . This is the best way.

 

[kimoajaj]

Ok thanks Pete:).

Maybe someone could explain how to measure this?. (how to get it correct).

 

[FruDaddy]

Spring out, fork compressed, hold it vertical.
The reason to measure height instead of volume is simple, if you are just changing fluid, there is residual left in place. If you measure at that point, and pour it all in, you are neither accounting for the quantity left in the fork, nor are you taking into considering the stuff you don't want to wait for in the container. If you measure the amount in the fork, you will know exactly how much is in there.

 

[kimoajaj]

Okey FruDaddy thanks for the explenation:).

I always make sure to wipe the oil off all of the parts inside the fork, but I guess it`s better to measure the oil level.

So I should compress the fork, fill it up and measure from the "edge" and down?.

 

[FruDaddy]

Yep.

 

[kimoajaj]

Thanks again FruDaddy, one last question, I only ordered one bottle with fork oil, one liter.. will it be enough you think?.

 

[FruDaddy]

The best information that I can find claims that the forks hold 310cc each, so you should be good to go.

 

[kimoajaj]

Ok man thanks alot :).

Today I read an old Motocross Action Mag, they said that they set the oil height to 70mm, later on they wrote "Don`t be shocked by the unusually high oil height" . This is wierd, I found out that this bikes oil level should be 105mm, so the motocross action crew used more oil then ?.

Where did you find out that is hould have 310cc each?.

Maybe I just could put 310cc in each and be happy??.

:)

 

[kimoajaj]

Hi again!.

I just downloaded the Kawasaki service specs for my bike:
http://www.kawasaki.com/Default.asp...sp&intCatalogID=1&CatalogTypeID=3&Jump=Search

Fork oil capasity 492-500cc, wierd. Does this mean that I should have between 492 and 500cc?.

I`m confused..

 

[FruDaddy]

I got my info from a Team green Magazine that I recently recieved.
Yes, that does mean that the total quantity in each fork should end up in that range.
If in doubt, put in 310, then measure the height. 70mm definitely sounds overfull. 105 is about right, adding more will affect how the fork responds, If memory serves me, it stiffens the compression of the fork. Check the manual for details.
Just dumping it in will most likely not make you happy, definitely measure the height. It is the best way to know.
Even if it does take 500cc per leg, that is half a liter so you'll be good.

 

[kimoajaj]

Ok man!

I will give you an update tomorrow when I`m done:).

Thanks for the help.

 

[drolex]

Ok man!

I will give you an update tomorrow when I`m done:).

Thanks for the help.

Where's the update?

 

[KawiDave]

kimoajaj,

The oil level is measured from the top down to the oil, I don't know what the 105mm level is, seems awful low. The specs for a 2001 KX250-L3 show 68mm - 72mm, hence the 70mm spec. I have the same bike and after purging the old oil from the fork I used almost one whole bottle (1 liter) of 5W oil. I would get two bottles of oil. Do just what FruDaddy said, Compress it with out the spring and spring seat fill it to 70mm from the top edge and them wait about 5 to 10 minutes and check the level again, this will allow the air bubbles to escape. Hope this helps.