mystery tube

[Kurt Grife]

I just put Progressive 1151's in a set of '04 forks that I got on ebay and installed on my old '91. I used 2 5/8" spacers which a tech at Progressive told me was their recommended maximum. With the forks compressed and no spring installed I put 10 wt Maxima fork oil to 190mm from the top. I weigh just about what you do and am very happy with the results. I have a F1 rear shock with a 400# spring and they seem to match well.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Rick McCauley wrote: > > Good morning. > I just put new progressive springs in my 2003 KLR. Has anybody experimented with different fork oils, and which works best. I tip the scales at 280 lbs > At what point are the forks full? Are they filled with the springs in, or out? > > I know. I need to buy a manual. > > Rick > A17 > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[k650]

I looked into this about 5 or 6 years ago and came to the conclusion that the 190mm figure everybody uses which is listed in service manuals was a misprint. My thinking is that the correct level should be 170mm for all years up to 2007. (have not considered 2008 and 2009) I arrived at this because the KLR600 manual specifies 170mm and even though most KLR650 manuals specify 190mm mysteriously with the KLR650 manual updated around 2003 it specifies 170mm yet the forks have not changed. So it is either a misprint or some engineers decided for some reason to use 190mm but later changed their mind and figured the original 170mm was better. Walt

----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick McCauley" To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 12:30 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork oil If I may ask, why 170mm? Rick A17 --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Walter Mitty wrote: From: Walter Mitty Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork oil To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud Jones" Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 10:09 AM What Jud said. You will surely like it better at 170 mm. I use Mobil 1 ATF. It is supposed to be about 10 wt. It is available just about anywhere that has Autozone or Walmart. --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Jud Jones wrote: From: Jud Jones Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork oil To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 6:22 AM --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, Rick McCauley wrote: > > Good morning. > I just put new progressive springs in my 2003 KLR. Has anybody > experimented with different fork oils, and which works best. I tip the > scales at 280 lbs > At what point are the forks full? Are they filled with the springs in, or > out? > > I know. I need to buy a manual. > Measure the oil level with the springs out and the forks compressed - 190 to 170 mm from the top. The higher the oil level, the greater the air spring effect. Oil weight is a matter of preference. I like 10wt or even 7.5 for compliance over rocks. A lot of riders prefer 15wt, and on I know of uses 30wt.

[Walter Mitty]

The air trapped above the oil acts as an auxillary spring. I higher (lower number) oil level results in what amounts to a higher spring rate.

--- On Fri, 3/13/09, Rick McCauley wrote: From: Rick McCauley Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork oil To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 9:30 AM If I may ask, why 170mm? Rick A17 --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Walter Mitty wrote: From: Walter Mitty Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork oil To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "Jud Jones" Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 10:09 AM What Jud said. You will surely like it better at 170 mm. I use Mobil 1 ATF. It is supposed to be about 10 wt. It is available just about anywhere that has Autozone or Walmart. --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Jud Jones wrote: From: Jud Jones Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork oil To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 6:22 AM --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, Rick McCauley wrote: > > Good morning. > I just put new progressive springs in my 2003 KLR. Has anybody experimented with different fork oils, and which works best. I tip the scales at 280 lbs > At what point are the forks full? Are they filled with the springs in, or out? > > I know. I need to buy a manual. > Measure the oil level with the springs out and the forks compressed - 190 to 170 mm from the top. The higher the oil level, the greater the air spring effect. Oil weight is a matter of preference. I like 10wt or even 7.5 for compliance over rocks. A lot of riders prefer 15wt, and on I know of uses 30wt. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Rick McCauley]

I want to thank everyone for the help on fork oil weight, and height info. I am a big fan of Mobil 1 products, so I have decided to go with Jud's recommendation of Mobil 1 ATF. I am going to use the 170mm height along with my new proggresive fork springs. I also purchased a Top Gun 8Kg rear spring. I believe when all is done, I will have a descent suspension. Special "Thank you" to John for the offer of a copy of the manual. I did get one over the weekend. Again Thanks. Rick A17

--- On Sat, 3/14/09, J. Mace wrote: From: J. Mace Subject: Re:Fork oil To: ramachm12@... Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009, 4:33 PM Hey Rick, I have both manuals on cd in pdf format. If you want a copy, send me your mailing address. thx, John >Good morning. I just put new progressive springs in my 2003 KLR. Has anybody experimented with different fork oils, and which works best. I tip the scales at 280 lbs At what point are the forks full? Are they filled with the springs in, or out? I know. I need to buy a manual. Rick A17 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeffrey]

Has somebody measured the distance from the top of the fork to where the fluid level is supposed to be with springs in/nothing compressed and with the front of the bike up in the air? The idea here is to be able to make sure you have the right and equal oil levels without disassembling the fork or even taking it off the klr. I change my fork oil every 2 years and this measurement would be handy. Also, I found some unopened 5 weight fork oil and used it with my Progressive springs...is the 5 wt a no no? Jeffrey #4

[Fred Hink]

If you are changing your oil every 2 years, you are doing more than most. If you don t have an oil leak, the level shouldn t change. If you do have an oil leak it needs to be fixed and then you will set the oil level during that procedure. You won t get a very accurate reading on the oil level with the springs in and still on the bike. It is best to do as the manuals say and to do it with springs out, the fork tubes vertical and collapsed. You are going to have to remove the fork caps in either case, so it is an easy step to take out the spacers and springs to get to your fork oil. Kawasaki recommends using 10wt. fork oil. You can try 5wt. but if you are riding off road, I doubt you will like it. 5wt. may be ok for street riding. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: Jeffrey Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2013 10:28 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Fork Oil Has somebody measured the distance from the top of the fork to where the fluid level is supposed to be with springs in/nothing compressed and with the front of the bike up in the air? The idea here is to be able to make sure you have the right and equal oil levels without disassembling the fork or even taking it off the klr. I change my fork oil every 2 years and this measurement would be handy. Also, I found some unopened 5 weight fork oil and used it with my Progressive springs...is the 5 wt a no no? Jeffrey #4 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[achesley43@ymail.com]

I generally change out my fork fluid on a yearly bases, flush the forks with kerosene and put ATF Dextron 3 in there and bring it down to 6 and 5/8 inches. Works good for what I do. Andy in Jennings.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, kd4zgk@... wrote: > > Anybody got any idea what wieght front fork oil the KLR-650 uses.And > if I change it out to something a little heavier will that help the > front end any? >

[Jeff Khoury]

I use Royal Purple Max Synthetic ATF. Along with a 1/2" longer spacer and a 10mm overfill, it really does wonders for the front end (on a Gen II) The front end is more firm and confident, and brake dive is drastically reduced. Actual cash value $0.02. -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: achesley43@... To: kd4zgk@..., "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Saturday, April 6, 2013 6:47:06 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork Oil I generally change out my fork fluid on a yearly bases, flush the forks with kerosene and put ATF Dextron 3 in there and bring it down to 6 and 5/8 inches. Works good for what I do. Andy in Jennings. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , kd4zgk@... wrote: > > Anybody got any idea what wieght front fork oil the KLR-650 uses.And > if I change it out to something a little heavier will that help the > front end any? >

[Jeff Khoury]

I forgot to include the link to my instructions: http://www.dsrtegl.com/2012/04/klr-400-front-suspension-mod.html -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Khoury" To: achesley43@... Cc: kd4zgk@..., "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Saturday, April 6, 2013 11:52:29 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork Oil I use Royal Purple Max Synthetic ATF. Along with a 1/2" longer spacer and a 10mm overfill, it really does wonders for the front end (on a Gen II) The front end is more firm and confident, and brake dive is drastically reduced. Actual cash value $0.02. -Jeff Khoury ----- Original Message ----- From: achesley43@... To: kd4zgk@... , "DSN KLR650" < DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Saturday, April 6, 2013 6:47:06 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork Oil I generally change out my fork fluid on a yearly bases, flush the forks with kerosene and put ATF Dextron 3 in there and bring it down to 6 and 5/8 inches. Works good for what I do. Andy in Jennings. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , kd4zgk@... wrote: > > Anybody got any idea what wieght front fork oil the KLR-650 uses.And > if I change it out to something a little heavier will that help the > front end any? >

[Bogdan Swider]

Andy, Do you consider kerosene easier on the seals than say mineral spirits ? I have an aversion to it because of the year I spent in Sri Lanka; they cooked with it and you could taste it in the food nasty. Also what weight fluid do you use ? 10 as the manual states or do you go to 15 ? Bogdan, who's way tardy for a fork fluid change From: "achesley43@..." > Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013 7:47 PM To: "kd4zgk@..." >, "DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comDSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comDSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>> Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork Oil I generally change out my fork fluid on a yearly bases, flush the forks with kerosene and put ATF Dextron 3 in there and bring it down to 6 and 5/8 inches. Works good for what I do. Andy in Jennings.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, kd4zgk@... wrote: > > Anybody got any idea what wieght front fork oil the KLR-650 uses.And > if I change it out to something a little heavier will that help the > front end any? > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]