Fork oil swap.

[steveR]

After my recent trip, I came back with a fresh opinion of my Transalp and with a resolve to keep it for at least another year. Yes, a low milage Vara would be nice, but is a luxury I cannot really justify right now. I wanna new Tractor this winter too

So, I would like to treat Gertrude to an oil change on the forks as I doubt it has ever been done since 2001 when it rolled off the production line in Italy. It is many moons since I last did a fork oil change and I would appreciate a pointer in the right direction please.

From looking and memory, the TA has a drain plug in the base of the fork legs so drop them out and pop a funnel under the legs and pump the front end up and down a couple or 5 times. Then slacken the top screw by the yokes and remove them, presumably exposing the top of the fork for fresh oil. Spring pressure here?? Change oil. Quantity? SAE 7.5 or 10??

I am missing something here and cannot remember what..... Old age I guess! Any clues please anyone

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Steve, unfortunately the 650 doesn't have a drain plug on the forks. They need to be removed, turned upside down & pumped to drain.

If it's never been done before, expect it to look 'orrible!

Use something like a 7.5 or 10 wt oil, can't remember the quantity or air gap off hand.

Phil

[Snaphappy]

Sounds the same as the dero, as in no drain hole.
fill up and use a syringe to suck out the excess to the exact level both sides

[steveR]

Thanks very much to you both. Pity the legs have to come out... It would have been the work of minutes otherwise. Yet again, another annoying little cost saver for Honda like the crap rear shock adjustment.

[awsi4u]

Steve, unfortunately the 650 doesn't have a drain plug on the forks. They need to be removed, turned upside down & pumped to drain.

If it's never been done before, expect it to look 'orrible!

Use something like a 7.5 or 10 wt oil, can't remember the quantity or air gap off hand.

Phil

Hi everyone,

My TA 2001 650cc has drain plugs at the end of the for legs, and I drained the fork oil through them, never taken the fork legs off. Are there TA650 with and without drain plugs for the fork oil??

[RegH]

My TA 2001 650cc has drain plugs at the end of the for legs, and I drained the fork oil through them, never taken the fork legs off. Are there TA650 with and without drain plugs for the fork oil??

If you mean the bolts at the very bottom of the fork legs, they are actually there to secure the dampers. I have heard that the oil can be drained through them though. Remove spring, half release bolt and push damper up (with tray ready). Use spring to push damper down again.

Mine is an '04 and there are no proper drain holes. The 600 had them (I think) and there was a bit of a re-design (i.e. cost cutting) exercise in '02 so they may have gone then.

Regarding filling up, second the comment on using a syringe (+ short tube) to set the levels exactly for both sides. I had a terrible handlebar wobble and it totally disappeared after doing this.

[awsi4u]

oops, I think you are right , me wrong. but I managed to drain all the oil that way without removing the fork.

[steveR]

oops, I think you are right , me wrong. but I managed to drain all the oil that way without removing the fork.

As long as it worked and the front suspension is still working!!

These are the two little screws I had seen and wondered if they were drain plugs.

[FatFergie]

there are no proper drain holes. The 600 had them

My 600 doesn't have them but to be frank it makes it easier to get all the old oil out and reset the level (and clean out the gaitors) if you take them off. Be wary of draining the oil out the damper bolt holes; if you loosen the bolts it can be a pain to get them tight again as the damper can spin round inside the fork.

My tips for oil changes?

1. Loosen the fork caps before loosening the yoke clamps.
2. Flush the old oil with a little fork oil.
3. Drain them upsidedown overnight.
4. Leave the damping and seals alone unless there's a reason for it.

I use 5 wt oil but I'm on a 600. Not sure what yuo need or how much.

[awsi4u]

about point nr 1, in the repair manual they gave tip which is the opposite, they mension to loosen the about yoke clamps abit before loosening the fork caps, this will preserve the tread of the forks from being damanged.
just my 2 cents