Fork oil

[helmetvonthrob]

Am going to change my fork oil this weekend, anyone got recommendations for oil weight?  I've heard that 15W is a good upgrade.  (I'm not a lightweight!

What is the air gap?


Anyone got any tips? 


Everything is fine otherwise so I'm just going to drain and refill, should flush?  if so what with?


Thanks

[unfazed]

Am going to change my fork oil this weekend, anyone got recommendations for oil weight?  I've heard that 15W is a good upgrade.  (I'm not a lightweight!

What is the air gap?


Anyone got any tips? 


Everything is fine otherwise so I'm just going to drain and refill, should flush?  if so what with?


Thanks

Loads of tips if we knew what bike you were working on  As long as it is not a bandit 

[helmetvonthrob]

Am going to change my fork oil this weekend, anyone got recommendations for oil weight?  I've heard that 15W is a good upgrade.  (I'm not a lightweight!

What is the air gap?


Anyone got any tips? 


Everything is fine otherwise so I'm just going to drain and refill, should flush?  if so what with?

Loads of tips if we knew what bike you were working on  As long as it is not a bandit 


Thanks

Oh yeah, just seen my profile!, it's a 2005 FZ6S

[chaz]

take it its a FZ6, what year? just done mine (05) theres no drain screw so take the legs out, the allen bolt is hard to get to R/H side lower, had to undo head light and bracket (naked bike) I put 2 photos on in general, "what did you do with your fazer" page 161.
For mine the air gap is 134mm fully compressed without the spring, or .467 L in each leg. Just drained mine pumped them a few times and left them upsidedown while I had a coffee.
took me about 4 hours but 1hour was looking online for oil level. found a Yamaha manual online so used that as forums gave different amounts? i used w15 oil.

[unfazed]

The manuals are in the download section.

[helmetvonthrob]

Well I got my forks off the bike and opened the top nuts.  Closer coils to the top?... not on this one! 


The springs were upside down, what would this do?  The forks seemed very soft.


The oil that came out was minging, I suspect original @ 35,000 miles.  So does that mean it came out the factory like that??


Anyone else found this?

[unfazed]

Most Yamaha OEM springs I have come accross are fitted closer coils to the bottom.

[helmetvonthrob]

Most Yamaha OEM springs I have come across are fitted closer coils to the bottom.

Ok, so I'm going to put everything back the way it came apart.

[chaz]

the oil in mine was discoloured with black? but was still oil, I haven't noticed any differance in the ride since changing it but at least it's done.

[helmetvonthrob]

Well a bit disappointed if I'm honest!  The 15W fork oil has made a small difference but there's still too much dive.


Anyone use 20W?  or do I just bite the bullet and go for Progressives?