Fork oil question

[Killerbracing]

I drained 12 ounces out of my non leaking fork tube. Is this enough going back together with it?

[Krasi_BG]

Most probably yes, but I always go with my rule of thumb to put oil until it at least covers the spring while the fork is fully compressed.

[SpudRider]

Yes, but 210mm (7 ounces) per fork is probably better. I agree with Krasi. It's best to have enough fork oil to cover the springs. ;)

[pete]

Most probably yes, but I always go with my rule of thumb to put oil until it at least covers the spring while the fork is fully extended.


The air space in the forks after the correct amount of oil has
been put in is crucal to how the forks work... that air is compressed as
the forks compress... it's basicly a air spring that stiffens the forks as they compress...

[Krasi_BG]

Well, we all know what's the idea of the air cushion at the top of the fork. But specifically for these "spartan" and bare-bone forks that we get on our Chinese bikes, I don't think it matters much. I doubt there is a human on this planet that can tell if you have 100ml of oil more, or less, in a China-bike fork :D

[Killerbracing]

Any way to add any external adjustment while I'm in there?

[SpudRider]

Any way to add any external adjustment while I'm in there?

No, external adjustment must be designed into the forks before manufacture. You can experiment with different weights of fork oil, and you can adjust the fork preload with spacers, but you won't be able to create an external adjustment. If you plan to change the fork oil, you might enjoy reading the following thread.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10266

[Krasi_BG]

Actually I can think of one way to make some sort of an external adjustment "system" - screw in an air valve (e.g. from a tube tyre) or at least an air bleeder on the cap of each fork :D

If you install a standard air valve you'd be able to "pump up the volume" of that air spring, while with bleeders you'd be able only to decrease it after it's gone up by the constant fork movement.

[SpudRider]

Yes, I am aware one can install a schrader valve or bleeder valve on top of the forks. However, this is a lot of work, and I don't think it will improve the action of the Chinese forks. ;)

[Krasi_BG]

A lot, a lot, how much a lot could it be? :D

One drill and one thread tap (set) of the right size.

[SpudRider]

What valve would you get? What benefits would you expect to receive from performing this modification to Chinese forks? The damping rod in my Zongshen fork screws into the top of the fork cap. Where would you drill the hole for the valve? It might sound like a simple job, but these things usually turn out to be a lot more work than expected. ;) However, if you actually perform this modification, or can post a link to a tutorial describing the details, I would certainly be interested to see how easy it actually is. :)

[Krasi_BG]

Pf, I'm far from trying to do any of this, even though my V-Raptor's forks have just regular caps on the top. But as said earlier, they're not worth any "improvements".

I'm just "loafing" around, giving vital ideas :D

[SpudRider]

:hehe:

:tup: