Fork oil change

[Ken Talbot]

Here's a variation on the "Festus Fast Fork Oil Change" procedure listed in the technical section. The heart of this method is a 1 1/2" needle nose grease dispenser.
[IMG]/forum/images/tips/20030730-needlenosedispenser.jpeg [/IMG]

I modified the dispenser by removing the end fitting and threading the point to M4x.7 to match the threads of the drain screw at the bottom of the fork leg.
[IMG]/forum/images/tips/20030730-dsc02231.jpg[/IMG]

Here is a shot of the entire apparatus...

[IMG]/forum/images/tips/20030730-dsc02230.jpg[/IMG]

To use it, I first removed the stem of the air valve, removed the drain screw, and drained the old oil. A bit of a blast with the air compressor got the old oil out a bit quicker than gravity alone.

Then I attached a piece of clear hose to the modified grease dispenser, screwed it into the drain hole, and put the end of the hose into a container with the measured amount of fresh oil.

Finally, I attached a vacuum pump to the air valve, and pumped up the vacuum. It only took a couple of minutes for the fresh oil to be drawn up into the fork. Sure was a lot faster than any other method I've tried.

[Hammerhead1st]

I always knew changing fork oil sucked..

[thewiz]

Very cool, Ken

When can the masses (like me) expect the production version of this clever tool in stores near us?

[melbxs]

I measured out the right amount of oil into one of these and used the flexible spout to squeeze the oil in through the air valves on the top of the forks.

Going in from the bottom seems like a fight against the forces of gravity.

Using the $1 sauce bottle took 15 minutes and not a drop spilled.