Draining Fork Oil without removing forks?

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  • Banshee's Veil
    Truly XSive
    • Sep 2020
    • 104
    #1

    Draining Fork Oil without removing forks?

    Hello, can I drain the fork oil just by removing the drain bolt with the front end up, and with the caps and springs removed? I just rebuilt the forks last year and I don't want to do it again. The suspension is ****ty so I want to upgrade to progressive springs and 15w oil.
    Tags: None
    • red bandit
      XSive Maximus
      • May 2005
      • 950
      • central michigan
      #2
      Yes you can.
      79 F full cruiser, stainless brake lines, spade fuses, Accel coils, modded air box w/larger velocity stacks, 750 FD.
      79 SF parts bike.

        Comment

        • cajun31
          Moderator
          • Oct 2003
          • 1793
          • Brandon, MS
          #3
          Originally posted by Banshee's Veil
          Hello, can I drain the fork oil just by removing the drain bolt with the front end up, and with the caps and springs removed? I just rebuilt the forks last year and I don't want to do it again. The suspension is ****ty so I want to upgrade to progressive springs and 15w oil.
          To get the bulk of the oil out you will need to be able to depress the forks to pump it out. I am assuming that you know to remove the two screws from the sides of the forks towards the bottom to let the oil out. You will also need to have something to block the oil as it squirts out. It can go a few feet and make a mess otherwise. I don't suppose you will get it all out but what ever small amount is left should hurt anything. Good luck.

          I was out on facebook and someone was asking the same question as you have here. Was that you? If it was ... on facebook he stated he had already removed the fork caps. If that is you and you have then the forks should gravity drain. If the caps are still on the tubes then you will need to pump the forks to force the oil out.
          Last edited by cajun31; 10-15-2021, 12:26 AM.
          2 - 80 LGs bought one new
          81 LH
          02 FXSTB Nighttrain
          22 FLTRK Road Glide Limited
          Jim

            Comment

            • jetmechmarty
              Master of XSology
              • Nov 2003
              • 7768
              • Coldwater, Mississippi
              #4
              Originally posted by Banshee's Veil
              The suspension is ****ty so I want to upgrade to progressive springs and 15w oil.
              The XS1100 came with progressive springs. 15W oil will slow high speed damping. Is that what you want to do? Alternatively, you can raise the oil level in the forks just a little. If you have a Special, you may try increasing the air pressure slightly. If you have money to throw at it, straight rate springs to your weight/riding style combined with Race Tech Gold Valve Emulators is the way I went. That's a big change from stock and is tunable. I think you won't find much improvement in what you propose.
              Marty (in Mississippi)
              XS1100SG
              XS650SK
              XS650SH
              XS650G
              XS6502F
              XS650E

                Comment

                • Bax
                  XStremely XSive
                  • Jan 2016
                  • 344
                  • Merrimack, NH
                  #5
                  Echo Marty: Cartridge emulators (RaceTech Gold Valve)..... Major improvment on the SG.

                  ---Bax
                  80 SG, --- Slightly modified with EFI.....

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