Fazer Owners Club - Unofficial
Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => FZS600 Fazer => Topic started by: Freza on 27 October 2014, 11:37:20 pm
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Hi,
I'd like to change my fork oil (2003 fzs600), but don't know which oil to put and how much.
Here (http://www.answers.com/Q/Yamaha_Fzs600_fazer_how_much_fork_oil) it says:
Use either of two methods: A) measure 465 ml per fork leg B) measure 132 mm air gap (room from the surface of the oil to the top of the fork without the springs and with the fork fully compressed) Note 1: It is very important to have the numbers correct and - even more important - the same at both sides. If you miss out on this, it may result in poor handling and even have disastrous consequences. Note 2: Measuring air gap is recommended over measuring volume, and not especially more difficult, it will be more precise and yield better results. You can use any measuring device dropped in at the desired length and fill until the oil slightly touches OR you can overfill and suck out the excess oil with a hose that you drop in at the specified depth. Note 3: Recommended oil is a grade 10W fork oil. Addendum: You can tweak you forks according to your liking, e.g. by putting 15W grade fork oil in or reducing the air gap by a few millimeters.
Is that correct or ?
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The air gap is more reliable.
10w oil is okay if you're a lightweight and don't carry much luggage, or a passenger regularly.
15w oil firms up the front end in a positive way and gives a more controlled feeling to it in my opinion.
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I'm 80kg and don't carry luggage. Should I go with 15w anyway?
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In my personal opinion i would say yes.
If you simply don't like it then it just means changing it back to 10w but it made a big difference for me.
One of those things, if you don't try it you won't ever know.
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I'll put 15w then.
I don't like loose front end anyway.
Thanks
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I never noticed much difference using 15w oil but filling to standard level then adding another 10cc oil made front end feel a lot better
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Not a bad idea. It probably loses a few cc when it settles...
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Not a bad idea. It probably loses a few cc when it settles...
I would change one thing at a time to be honest, there's still the small chance you may not even like it with 15w oil, and the levels are there for a reason.
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Hi focs,
I 've got a 2001 fzs600 and i am changing fork oil with 15w.
There are two amount-air gap specs that i found:
1)98-00 models, 475ml -121mm air gap
2)02-03 models, 465ml - 132mm air gap
Which one should i follow?My forks are with adjusters on top.
Thanks,
Aris.
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With preload adjusters use the 02-03 details
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Hi focs,
I 've got a 2001 fzs600 and i am changing fork oil with 15w.
There are two amount-air gap specs that i found:
1)98-00 models, 475ml -121mm air gap
2)02-03 models, 465ml - 132mm air gap
Which one should i follow?My forks are with adjusters on top.
Thanks,
Aris.
If it's the first time you've used 15w oil then post your thoughts on if it feels better/worse/no change.
I'm pretty damn sure you'll prefer it though. :)
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Yeah, I'm interested too. I'll change mine in a few months.
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Sorry for the late reply,but i wanted to "feel" the bike before i give a feedback.
As many before me have said,the 15w i believe is a "must" uprgade.At least for those who ride at bouncy-shity-not so good roads like me,here in my country.
I also upgrade my hadlebars,from renthal's ultra low to lsl's street bars,and the feeling i get from the bike is the best i ever got from it.Ofcourse sag settings were checked.
The lsl bars have less sweep and are lower than renthal's and with the stiffer front end it became spot on for me!
I plan also a future spring upgrade,as i like the positive upgrade of the front end.
As for the bars,i have an ktm's superduke headlight conversion,so i dont know if they will interact with the fzs fairing!
Overall a big YES from me! ;)
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Thanks, 15w it is then!
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Oddly enough, just bought some silkolene 15w today as I heard that it's easier to just replace the standard 10w oil with 15w for a better front end, will see what happens and post a response when all done. About to do a stripdown anyway, so will be a few months.
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Sorry for the late reply,but i wanted to "feel" the bike before i give a feedback.
As many before me have said,the 15w i believe is a "must" uprgade.At least for those who ride at bouncy-shity-not so good roads like me,here in my country.
I also upgrade my hadlebars,from renthal's ultra low to lsl's street bars,and the feeling i get from the bike is the best i ever got from it.Ofcourse sag settings were checked.
The lsl bars have less sweep and are lower than renthal's and with the stiffer front end it became spot on for me!
I plan also a future spring upgrade,as i like the positive upgrade of the front end.
As for the bars,i have an ktm's superduke headlight conversion,so i dont know if they will interact with the fzs fairing!
Overall a big YES from me! ;)
playing devils advocate: wouldn't replacing old degraded 10w oil with fresh 10w oil give a improved feel anyway and if the case then any advantage gained in using 15w would come as extended service intervals
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Sorry for the late reply,but i wanted to "feel" the bike before i give a feedback.
As many before me have said,the 15w i believe is a "must" uprgade.At least for those who ride at bouncy-shity-not so good roads like me,here in my country.
I also upgrade my hadlebars,from renthal's ultra low to lsl's street bars,and the feeling i get from the bike is the best i ever got from it.Ofcourse sag settings were checked.
The lsl bars have less sweep and are lower than renthal's and with the stiffer front end it became spot on for me!
I plan also a future spring upgrade,as i like the positive upgrade of the front end.
As for the bars,i have an ktm's superduke headlight conversion,so i dont know if they will interact with the fzs fairing!
Overall a big YES from me! ;)
playing devils advocate: wouldn't replacing old degraded 10w oil with fresh 10w oil give a improved feel anyway and if the case then any advantage gained in using 15w would come as extended service intervals
Honestly?
Probably not.
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So, they told me about a local guy here, an experienced biker and mechanic (has over 30 years of experience). I've been trying to catch him to take a look at my bike and change fork oil for the past several months, but he was always busy with a queue of bikes waiting before me.
However, he just managed to take my bike.
The guy is a genius, immediately told me something's wrong with my carburetors. Then he turned some knobs below the carburetors (that I didn't even know existed) and immediately improved the irregularity and calmed the engine. After that he took it for a full service, but that's for some other topic.
What's important is that he changed my fork oil to Motul 15W (https://www.motul.com/us/en-us/products/oils-lubricants/fork-oil-expert-medium-heavy-15w) and did something to forks, he said that now they act more like upside-down forks than regulars. Something that has got to do with oil being pumped up the damper, and not getting stuck down, which happened to me prior to this service. If I understood him correctly, he installed some tubule to aid that.
He also installed additional spacers to stiffen the spring a bit further.
All in all, the bike now rides like brand new, more stiffer but not unpleasant. It's a beauty, no more wobbling on road hollows, it feels razor sharp. I can't believe what difference this made. Combine that with a complete service and tuning of carburetors (+some other sundries) and you get one very happy man.
It's been raining here for few days now and I'm already going mad :eek :evil
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Very interesting, knobs on the carbs? Sure that wasn't just the idle knob?
Upgrading to a firmer oil AND adding things is a little bit forward of him in my opinion, I would've preferred to have been asked about that first to be truthful.
BUT, if you're very happy with the results then that's all that matters I s'pose.
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Yes, if I understood correctly, they're used for tuning the mixture. The idle knob is on the side, these are under the carbs, not easily accessible. He said they were turned way too much, so the engine was receiving too much air, which caused difficult starting when hot and irregular idling.
Yes, but he was honest and said he went a few times for a ride and tuned the suspension to what he thinks is good in his opinion, so when I arrived he said to go and do a test drive to see if he should soften it up or leave it as it is.
Since I liked it, we left it as it is.
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Yes, if I understood correctly, they're used for tuning the mixture. The idle knob is on the side, these are under the carbs, not easily accessible. He said they were turned way too much, so the engine was receiving too much air, which caused difficult starting when hot and irregular idling.
Yes, but he was honest and said he went a few times for a ride and tuned the suspension to what he thinks is good in his opinion, so when I arrived he said to go and do a test drive to see if he should soften it up or leave it as it is.
Since I liked it, we left it as it is.
Okay, so the carb mixture screws were adjusted accordingly, that's fair enough.
I'm not knocking him at all, although it probably sounds like I am, it's that he just sounds too good to be true that's all. :lol
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Exactly, the carb mixture screws. One of the previous mechanics screwed them up completely...
He's a legend around here, I'm so pissed I discovered him just now. I won't be taking my bike to anyone else than him anymore.
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Fair play, it's great when you have a decent trustworthy mechanic that you can rely on but at the same time is not out to rinse your wallet.
I had a brilliant mechanic 25 years ago who was an ex racer with a pure passion about bikes who worked from just a garage.
He just wanted what's best for your bike, and would fix stuff you didn't even ask for, I was gutted when he retired.
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I had my fork seals replaced on Wednesday, and took the opportunity to go with 15 weight oil while at it.
Haven't been able to get out and about yet beyond the ride home, but my initial impressions were that it felt much more firm and precise. I'm 14.5 st and do a lot of heavy laden touring.
Will be out two up over the weekend and off up to Scotland in couple of weeks so will report back then.
Ps) I'm also chuffed to have found a great new mechanic, 50 labour I thought was good and he was kin kind enough to let me observe as an amateur keen to learn. I know enough to know a good job when I see one, extra care taken throughout, greased Speedo, cleaned forks etc.
Andy
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Your initial impressions are correct :thumbup
Try it through the bends now, it feels much more solid, no bobbing or chewing through hollows while leaning, etc.
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I didn't find much difference between 10w and 15w fork oil but renewing the old emulsified fork oil with nice new clean oil of the same viscosity makes a big difference. Hopefully get mine done next week.
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Didn't u replaced the top & lower bushing ? Mine pretty worn out at last servicing aound 50 000 miles
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I didn't find much difference between 10w and 15w fork oil but renewing the old emulsified fork oil with nice new clean oil of the same viscosity makes a big difference. Hopefully get mine done next week.
You're the only person who's tried it and not noticed a difference, yet everyone else felt a huge improvement, including myself, did you definitely put 15w oil in, because i can't understand why?
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It said Silkolene Pro RSF 15 on the bottle.
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If I understood correctly, you tried putting in 15W oil and didn't feel a difference, then you put a new 10W oil and felt a difference ?
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It said Silkolene Pro RSF 15 on the bottle.
It's just strange, 'cos for me it was a vast improvement?
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When bike was about 7-8 years old finally got around to replacing fork oil with new 10w the grade it said in manual and the handling went from wobbling round corners like every wheel, swinging arm and steering head bearing had collapsed to feeling like it was on rails. Replaced the fork oil every couple of years since I didn't want it in the same state it had been before and tried 15w for the last change a couple of years ago because people said it was a great improvement but I didn't notice any real difference.
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Mine went from bouncing about to very firm and predictable. I have earlier forks on mine with no adjusters so it's nothing to do with them.
I'm 100kg, plus have the large top box fitted, so handling up front became much much better.