XR400 2003 Fork Oil

[kiwijohn]

Help please.

Can I adjust the fork oil with the forks on the bike? Can I simply remove the caps and then adjust the level?

Also the owners manual shoes air bleed screws on the top of the fork along side the adjuster.

This is not on my bike though? Is it a different model or has the previous owner changed the forks?

[taggkent]

The XR4 forks have a rebound adjuster screw and a air bleed screw, what do you have?

Youl have to remove the springs to set the oil height.

[kiwijohn]

THanks for the reply. All I have is the screw in the centre. I cant see anything else. Is the air bleed on the top? Is it under the cap?

I might take a photo and post it up

[jasonbc]

Originally Posted by kiwijohn

Help please.

Can I adjust the fork oil with the forks on the bike? Can I simply remove the caps and then adjust the level?

Also the owners manual shoes air bleed screws on the top of the fork along side the adjuster.

This is not on my bike though? Is it a different model or has the previous owner changed the forks?

Sound like they have xr250 forks they have a bleed valve (like a car tyre valve) on top that way you can adjust pressure. Xr400 forks shouls have a screw restrictor at the top of the fork leg and one in the adjuster at the bottom of the fork leg to adjust the rate they move in either direction.

If you want to change the oil you can't do it in place as you have to lower the fork stanchion down into the fork leg so that you can measure the air gap. As standard they use 7.5w oil but go for 5w as it's thinner it allows the oil to move faster if you go to 10w it slows everything down. Most offroad bikes now use 5w as standard when K-tech serviced mine they also fitted 5w oil for best performance.

If you need help let me know i will photograph my forks so you know what the adjusters should be like for an xr400

[taggkent]

yea that does sound like a xr250 fork... cant b tho, no one in their right mind would downgrade to an xr250 fork... or would they??? lol take a pic, and measure the diameter of the inner sliders, as the xr250 forks are a mill or two thinner

[kiwijohn]

Originally Posted by jasonbc

Sound like they have xr250 forks they have a bleed valve (like a car tyre valve) on top that way you can adjust pressure. Xr400 forks shouls have a screw restrictor at the top of the fork leg and one in the adjuster at the bottom of the fork leg to adjust the rate they move in either direction.

If you want to change the oil you can't do it in place as you have to lower the fork stanchion down into the fork leg so that you can measure the air gap. As standard they use 7.5w oil but go for 5w as it's thinner it allows the oil to move faster if you go to 10w it slows everything down. Most offroad bikes now use 5w as standard when K-tech serviced mine they also fitted 5w oil for best performance.

If you need help let me know i will photograph my forks so you know what the adjusters should be like for an xr400

THanks, I wouldn't mind a photo just so I know what they should be like. The bike I bought is a bit rough, but was cheap. I weigh 15 stone so need the forks to work well. I may get them serviced or get some replacements. THere are some on ebay for £100 off a 2004 model. I would prefer not to spend the money though

[jasonbc]

Originally Posted by kiwijohn

THanks, I wouldn't mind a photo just so I know what they should be like. The bike I bought is a bit rough, but was cheap. I weigh 15 stone so need the forks to work well. I may get them serviced or get some replacements. THere are some on ebay for £100 off a 2004 model. I would prefer not to spend the money though

I personally wouldn't bother wasting £100 on forks from ebay, unless yours does have xr250 forks fitted. The ones on ebay could be in the same state as your own or worse then you would have two sets to get sorted. If you forks are the same as these send them to K-tech for service and a custom rebuild, they are Showa forks so they are a quality unit. I had mine done there and when they came back you wouldn't think they were the same ones that i sewnt away. I recently had them do a rear shock custom rebuild for me aswell BIG DIFFERENCE now. I put that in a thread on here " xr maintainance"

FROM THE TOP





Bottom of the fork leg, if it's got a plastic gaiter on it then take it off and you should see......

[kiwijohn]

Originally Posted by jasonbc

I personally wouldn't bother wasting £100 on forks from ebay, unless yours does have xr250 forks fitted. The ones on ebay could be in the same state as your own or worse then you would have two sets to get sorted. If you forks are the same as these send them to K-tech for service and a custom rebuild, they are Showa forks so they are a quality unit. I had mine done there and when they came back you wouldn't think they were the same ones that i sewnt away. I recently had them do a rear shock custom rebuild for me aswell BIG DIFFERENCE now. I put that in a thread on here " xr maintainance"

FROM THE TOP





Bottom of the fork leg, if it's got a plastic gaiter on it then take it off and you should see......

Thanks for this. Mine definitely does not have the air screw to the side. Only the centre preload adjuster. I think I will take your advice and send them for service - they may know what forks they are.

I have seen your thread on the rear service. I sent my shock to K-Tech last week on your recommendation. It is due back this week. I hope it is on time as I have a hare and hound on Sunday!!!

[jasonbc]

I have seen your thread on the rear service. I sent my shock to K-Tech last week on your recommendation. It is due back this week. I hope it is on time as I have a hare and hound on Sunday!!![/QUOTE]

I also have a Hare'n' Hounds this Sunday at Nancemellion nr Camborne it's a south west round and i'm not up to that standard, me and a mate have just entered in the sportsman class. Where's your event to this weekend?

Customer service at k-tech is very good, you won't be dissappointed. Let me know how you get on with your rear shock when you've tried it out

[kiwijohn]

It is at Kingsbridge, South Devon.

It is part of the GBXC series. I did my first Hare and Hound a couple of weeks ago. First time on a dirt bike for 15 years, so was very slow and very tired. I go in the sportsman also. I am doing the ORE events series in the southwest. The GBXC is just a one off for me and I will be in the Novice class.

I just find it difficult to find good places to ride so I treat the races like an organised mass trail ride. The XR is not quite road legal either. I do like it to be a little competitive only.

Having been away from dirt bikes for so long the bikes a quite different. I am on a budget so I hope to keep the XR going as long as possible.