Want to add oil to fork - need quick method!

[nikki]

Want to add oil to fork - quick method!

I am looking to add a few cc's of oil to a leaky fork. Is it as simple as taking out the air bleeder screw and putting oil in through there? I'm not concerned about measuring the fork oil height right now (unless that's really easy to do without taking the fork apart?), just want to add some oil to make up for a leaky seal that won't be fixed until after 3 days of riding this weekend. Also, is there any type of "fork" oil available at an automotive store like Pep Boys or Autozone? Or is this more of a bike shops only? What about like a Harley shop? Is there a certain weight I should be looking for?

Thanks!

 

[JTT]

Nikki, you can add oil through the air bleed holes, no problem. Most seem to go with 5wt fluid in dirtbike forks. I've run Mobil 1 ATF before with good success. I don't think there would likely be any adverse effects of mixing a small portion of this with the present fork fluid, just to get you by for a very short time. I'd be sure to tear them down, clean thoroughly and replace that seal as soon as you can though.

 

[OKKX'er]

I have successfully done the bleeder hole trick, I used a 25 cc syringe w/o the needle. Mobil 1 syn ATF is 7.5 wt. according thread from about a year and a half ago. I have run this ATF is a set of forks for a year, no probs.

 

[nikki]

Thanks guys, next question - where to get a syringe or would a super small funnel work? Wonder if I could make one if need be?

 

[Supafly_MX]

Will normal ATF work (Valvoline Dexron) ? My one fork has been leaking for about a month and rode the bike about 3 times during the month.How much do u think i need to fill through the air bleeder screw ???

 

[KelvinKDX]

Thanks guys, next question - where to get a syringe or would a super small funnel work? Wonder if I could make one if need be?

nikki - you can get syringes (from a few cc's to 1/2 litre) at any Farm&Fleet type store (TSC - Tractor Supply) or pet store. The farm stores have them for doing nasty things to horses and bovines. :laugh:

They're cheap and you can find dozens of uses for them ... i'm referring to the syringes!!

 

[JasonWho]

You might could fold a piece of paper into a funnel, also. Fold it so it looks like one of those water fountain, paper cone cups. Cut out a circle and fold it into four quarters, then fold out one side. Just be sure to snip the bottom so oil will flow through. :-)

 

[nikki]

Thanks! Now time to find a TSC on the way from Chicago to Alabama :)

 

[ps2112]

Did you try the business card trick on your seal? pull the wiper down and stick a business card or 35mm negative strip between the seal and tube and rotate ir around the whole tube. Most times leaking seals are no more than some dirt holding the seal lip away from the tube.

 

[JasonWho]

AL? Where are you going in AL, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[cr2504life]

ps2112, What is a wiper??

 

[JasonWho]

dust seal

 

[nikki]

Did a similar "trick" that Thump showed us at DW last year (and I think Will Patterson showed him) with electrical tape. Remove wheel, put the tape on the fork like a screw shape, then push up the fork and spin. The tape works as a screw and should push down any dirt and whatnot. Problem is, when I did this, nothing came out LOL. No dirt. No oil. Either she's dry or it's not leaking anymore. Oh well, they will get new seals next week (or this weekend if there is a vendor at the track).

I'm going to Monster Mountain Friday for an open ride and Saturday for a womens national race (men's racing too on Saturday). Then Sunday, probably gonna open ride at Mill Creek. I've been to both tracks back in December '02 - cool tracks! It's gonna be hot, though. Grrr!

 

[JasonWho]

Wow! I am glad to hear a track in AL has such a race. I am about 4 hours north of there. They always have a couple of enduros and hare scrambles in that town.

 

[Danger]

Will normal ATF work (Valvoline Dexron) ? My one fork has been leaking for about a month and rode the bike about 3 times during the month.How much do u think i need to fill through the air bleeder screw ???

Thats what I use Supafly. Its cheap and its the right weight for me. No problems. I would guess you will only need about 5mls but if you put 10mls in the leaking side it shouldn't be too unbalanced.