Sorry, can't help. Owneerr's manual has no info on this.

 

Oil is 10w and the volume is 529cc +/- 2.5cc. Fork oil level is 114mm measured from the top of the tube with fork spring removed and the leg fully compressed

 

Cheers Jason.

 

I was feeling my 2005 Vara (24k miles) felt a bit tired on the front end this morning on some less than perfect roads (coming back from a test ride on a modern, Tiger 800!!) and I was pondering if some fresh oil would sharpen up the old Girl, maybe even some Hagon springs!

Is it worth the effort?

 

Is it worth the effort?

Steve,

Having had two of these beasties, one of which was kitted out with Hyper Pro springs front & rear, I can only say that i didn't notice any difference between the two bikes . . . but they were owned 18 months apart

However, on one occasion whilst on a ride out with Jim, we did compare, sad buggers that we are, the amount of fork travel experienced after we'd both gained a "bit of air" under the bike tyres. Jims 09' plated bike, with standard springs & oil, had virtually bottomed out the fork travel. My old '02 plated machines forks still had over an inch of travel left, going by the marks on the fork legs.

Try new, possibly heavier oil, to start with, slowly decreasing the air gap till you find something that suits you & the machine. You can always suck oil out if it gets a bit "stiff" for you

Just the ramblings of an aging, crumbling rider

Steve T

 

I had a slight leak so opted for new seals and heavier oil, I noticed a huge difference but maybe the leak and shagged oil were to blame,

I'd say try it you've got nothing to lose, 15 grade worked fine for my lithe 90k frame

 

I am sure a slightly stiffer front end would do no harm whatsoever, the Mighty Vara does tend to be a lardy, wallowing old Girl, but is still good fun. I DO love the motor....

 

What is the rod inside the one fork leg that is attached to the top screw cap retainer for? Not in the fiche list....

Yes, I have whipped the forks out, as the front wheel was out The oil was like soup!!

 

That sounds very odd Steve...
Normally if a rod is attached to the cap it shows that cartridge internals are fitted (as opposed to the more basic damper rod) - do you have 1 of each type...?

Is it stiff when you pull/push?
Be sure to pump this rod to get the old oil out of this one & also to bleed the air out before checking air gap.

Phil

sent from my 'phone

 

It sounds like an anti dive doofaa

 

The technical term, Paul?? :-D

Far too sophisticated for an old fella like me.... :toothy9:

 

I amaze my self sometimes

 

All back together now and had a run up the lane over some deep potholes and didn't feel a thing ;-) OK I exagerate, but felt much, much better, I'll see what it feels like tomorrow on the road. Just need to sort the alignment of the wheels in the morning.