|
Enduro Suspension Tuning & maintenance of Enduro forks, shocks, etc |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
WP Fork Oil Level
I changed my fork oil tonight in my WP's and according to the WP manual it mentioned to set it 25 mm below the 4 holes in the inner tube. Well, this is approximately 100 mm down from the top when the fork is fully collapsed. After reading some older posts on Talking Smack, it sounds like the common oil level is around 130 to 150 mm from the top. At this point, my forks are reassembled but not on my bike yet. Now is the time to reset the oil level if needed.
What oil level do you recommend? What is the damping effect of 100 mm vs. 140 mm? I guessing increased bottoming resistance due to smaller volume of air... Will it be too harsh?
__________________
Matt Current: 2009 Yamaha FZ1 Previous: 2001 GasGas TXT280, 2001 GasGas XC250, 2004 KTM 200EXC, 2007 GasGas EC250, 2007 Husqvarna SM610, 2008 Husqvarna WB165 |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Matt,
That sounds too high to me, and I suspect things will be harsh. The correct method is to first fill to the top of the inner tube (over the 4 holes) until all the air is expelled from between the tubes. Then bleed the cartridge and adjust the level. I run 110 - 115 mm with 90cc subtanks, and I never bottom even in big whoops. I would go back into the forks and fill over the holes, then drop the level to 140 - 150 mm. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
The WP manual has you reduce the oil level below the holes and then raise the rod and outer leg. This "dumps" the oil that was between the legs. So the 100mm air chamber WP asks for using their procedure equals about 140mm without "dumping" the legs.
|
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Well, I opened my forks back up tonight and readjusted the oil level per Glenn's recommendation. I set it at 140 mm from the top. I hope to get out this weekend and try it out. However, it has been raining a lot here and my usual riding places turn to "swamps" when it rains.
By the way, I don't know what method you used for setting the oil height but my method works great! Here is what I did:
__________________
Matt Current: 2009 Yamaha FZ1 Previous: 2001 GasGas TXT280, 2001 GasGas XC250, 2004 KTM 200EXC, 2007 GasGas EC250, 2007 Husqvarna SM610, 2008 Husqvarna WB165 |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
When you do it this way, how far do you extend the fork? If you extend it too far without the cartridge, you can move the lower holes past the seal. I guess its OK as long as your consistant. Most tuners seem to referance oil levels in the 130 - 150 range, so I assume they use the other method. I suspect the WP method makes adjusting the oil level eaiser without a complete change, as you do not need to add oil past the holes.
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Hey Glenn,
Not sure if your comments were for Dave or me. Here's what I did: I had the fork fully collapsed with the spring and thin adjusting tube removed. I added oil until past the 4 holes and waited for the bubbles to stop. Bleed the cartridge by stoking it up and down until I got consisent resistance. With everything fully collapsed, I used my syringe device to remove oil to get the level at 140 mm from the top of tube (oil is now below the holes). Hope I didn't booger it up again!
__________________
Matt Current: 2009 Yamaha FZ1 Previous: 2001 GasGas TXT280, 2001 GasGas XC250, 2004 KTM 200EXC, 2007 GasGas EC250, 2007 Husqvarna SM610, 2008 Husqvarna WB165 |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Matt,
I was replying to Dave, probably while you were replying as I didn't see your post. Anyway, you did it as I do and it should be fine. I have a fork oil level tool thats like a turkey baster with an aluminum tube, and a small collar that you can clamp at different heights with a setscrew. You just set the collar for the desired oil level, stick it in the fork until the collar rests on the edge of the tube, and draw oil out until you get air. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
How to set float level. Revisited. | gasgasman | Enduro Intake/Carburetion - 2 stroke | 48 | 11-10-2018 05:11 AM |
Zokes oil level? | jostby | Enduro Suspension | 2 | 06-20-2009 11:29 AM |
Fork oil level ? | Brian VT | Enduro Suspension | 4 | 03-10-2009 08:57 PM |
LTR fork Oil | PEB | Enduro Suspension | 5 | 09-10-2008 08:07 AM |
5000-7000 ft. above sea level (jetting) | Link | Enduro Intake/Carburetion - 2 stroke | 7 | 03-25-2008 01:45 PM |