Symptoms of overfilled front forks

[blackcat]

I had my IS forks rebuilt last week with all new honda bushings and seals and amsoil 10wr oil.


We departed missouri saturday headed out west currently in new mexico  and forks seem to be binding up. Takes a good bump for them to move.


I want to check oil level first but can it be done without removing forks.

Nick
870-565-5804

[Anthony]

yes overfilling makes it feel like there is very little bounce in it.

checking oil level can be done without removing the forks off the bike,
but best with bike's weight of the wheel : use a lift or jack if available.

according to manual : fork fluid levels are
LEFT fork
GL1500C/CT : 142mm / 5,6 inch
GL1500CF : 148mm /5,8 inch

RIGHT fork
GL1500C/CT : 135 mm / 5,3 inch
GL1500CF : 136mm /5,4 inch

measure to the center of the tube, not on a side, to compensate the fact that the fork leg is not vertical.

just remove the cap on top of forks (1 at the time, when not on lift ! )
and measure.

it is already a pain to put the fork caps back on correctly, pushing in against the spring and correctly aligning the thread of the cap to the fork.
I don't know how hard it would be to put the cap back on correctly, if the bike's weight is still on 1 fork leg.


fork caps torque : 34Nm - 25 lbf ft

tip : make sure you keep your socket straight on that nut, while you are putting all that force to turn in/out, so that you don't scratch the nut, which is always in your direct sight. (no, don't ask how I know ! )

even better: if possible, use a socket with 6 sides, instead of 12, helps avoiding to damage those nuts.

Anthony

[hubcapsc]

The "measured from the top" method requires the springs to be out, and the
forks compressed fully.

The "volume"method requires the forks to be dry, and then you pour
in the right amount.

The left side takes a little more fluid than the right side, maybe they
put the same amount in each side? Maybe you'd get lucky by
taking a little out (of each side? one side at a time?) and riding
the bike to see if the problem goes away...

-Mike

[Gryphon Rider]

Hubcapsc is right. There is no easy way to check fluid level.

[Hook#3287]

Make sure to release the 4 top pinch bolts before trying to remove the caps.

[blackcat]

I have a centerstand so getting weight off the front not a problem but the interstate fairing wont allow me to get a socket on the caps correctly

So question is with all weight off the front do the caps still have pressure from the springs that wont allow me to use a end wrench 


Ether its oil or there is something slightly bent

Nick

[Tfrank59]

I know this doesn't solve your problem, but could you ask the shop that rebuilt your forks how much oil they put back in, and if they knew enough that the two forks don't get the same?  I'd want to find out if they knew what they were doing.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Did you have the forks off the bike to work on them?

And if so: When you put the front end back together, did you follow the service manual procedure for centering the wheel in the forks prior to tightening the axle pinch bolts?

That's the FIRST thing I would check here.

[Ricky-D]

Hold your front brake lever and rock the bike with force.

Can you get the forks to compress?

If so, you have no problem.

It's no big deal.

***

[sandy]

Loosen the pinch bolts on the right side of the bike at the lower end of the forks. Loosen the axle bolt and bounce the front end up and down. Retighten the axle and then the pinch bolts (18 ft/lbs).
Most pro shops have a syringe with a 5 inch tube on it. After filling, they suck out excess to that measurement. The pros know that exact measure isn't that important.