Fork oil change

[Steve S]

Hi guys,girls,
would like to change the fork oil on my Z1A over the winter period,many of you would have done this task already,was proposing to drain them in situ(with weight off) and then refill.Couple of questions for you what is the best grade of oil to use for a standard set up and do I just measure the fluid level from the top,with springs in.What measurement am I looking for?
Any advice/tips/experience would be welcome.

Many thanks,Steve

[london calling]

I always fill the forks with the specified amount,job done
The factory workshop manual should list 2 capacities,1 is for oil change only and the 2nd is for when the forks have been stripped.
I ususally use the next weight above the standard weight,i.e. 15w instead of 10w or you can mix the 2 for 12.5.
These fork oil weights are for the later Z1000J/LAWSON/GPz1100 models.

[Rich]

Oil height is usually measured with the springs removed and the stantion down in the leg, remember to pump it a few times to get any trapped air out when refilling.
z1000a1 runs with 170 - 178cc initial fill 140cc when changing oil 10W is std but there is no height measurement in the manual.

[Pasc]

If you want to get the heights smack on in each leg I popped to my local homebase and bought a piece of ally tube with an inside diameter of approx 3 or 4 mm. Cost about ?2 for a metre. Get a small piece of wood and drill a hole through it so that the ally tube is a nice snug fit but loose emough to slide through the hole under a bit of pressure. You can then measure from the bottom of the tube to the bottom face of the block of wood the distance shown in the manual. Drop the tube into the fork leg and the wood will sit flat on the top of the fork tube. Fit a rubber tube and syringe over the end of the tube sticking out of the top face of the wood then overfill each leg with oil and draw the excess out with the syringe leaving you with the same amount of oil in each fork leg. Total cost about a fiver.
There is a very similar tool you can buy from the likes of M&P but it will cost you a lot more than this home brewed version leaving you a few quid to spend on fast women and loose bikes.

[Steve S]

Thanx guys,
looking through my manual for the 74/75 model it gives a measurement of 475mm from the top of the tube,but doesn,t mention taking the springs out? just says'remove the top bolt and pour in the oil'.
Can anyone confirm these measurements for Z1A and weather springs are in or out?
yours confused,steve.

[phil churchett]

Steve, according to the gen manual, it does not say anything about removing the springs, when measuring. The listing shows, for Z1, Z1A and B models, 169cc per leg,[10W]. Oil level from top of tube 455 mm.
Hope that helps, if you struggle, let me know, i will pm you my no.

[london calling]

Pasc,fast women round here are very $$$$$ but the loose un's are usually buy 1 get 1 free

[Steve Cooke]

Nowt like a bargain!

[Steve S]

Thanks for the info Phil,I will give it a go over the Christmas break....................hopefully if I get it right hope it will ride as good as a loose woman but feel like an expensive one!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

[phil churchett]

No problem, if need be, i can photo copy you the page and send it to you.
Good luck!

[london calling]

Steve S,that's made my day