Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by russ_gott at April 22. 2012

Can anybody please advise me of the correct procedure as I am finding the haynes manual a little confusing on this particular job....Would I be correct in thinking that once I have drained the oil and replaced the screw plugs back in the bottom of the forks, all I have to do is unscrew the two large chrome retaining nuts at the top of the forks,create a small gap and then just pour the oil into each fork leg???? Oh and what viscosity oil should I use and how much......will not be doing this job for a couple of weeks so no great urgency on a response..as always thank you in anticipation of some advice..Regards..Russ

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by gordon_johnston at April 23. 2012

"Unscrew the large filler plug on top of each fork leg and 'pull up' the front wheel to expose the springs. Place a block of wood under the wheel to hold the springs clear. Using two spanners, unscrew the filler plug nuts from the top of the damper rods. Remove the block and allow the forks to move to full extnesion. Four in 142ccs of grade 20 oil in each leg." All straight from the Norton Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book. In many ways better than a Haynes manual. You should buy a copy. Gordon.

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by colin_sharpe at April 23. 2012

SAE 20 oil is the recommended fluid from back in the day, and the quantity is 5 fl oz. These days a lot of riders use automatic transmission fluid in their forks, maybe because straight 20 oil is not so easy to find?

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by alan_dawes at April 23. 2012

SAE 20 fork oil is readily available. Try Demon Tweeks, 1 litre is about £10, free postage, and they have a very quick service.

Cheers

Alan

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by alan_clarke2 at April 23. 2012

Previously wrote:

SAE 20 fork oil is readily available. Try Demon Tweeks, 1 litre is about £10, free postage, and they have a very quick service.

Cheers

Alan

Hiya, Just a word of warning, make sure you have a substantial block or box under the front of the frame to take the weight of the bike when you unscrew the two big nuts on top of the forks. I did this job on a H*nda cb750 four when I was a mere callow yoof ! and didnt realise what would happen when I undid the second nut. I undid one nut and nothing happened apart from a slight boing! as the first spring came loose, Ok to proceed then, thought I, commencing to undo the second one. as soon as the last of the screw thread cleared, the front end collapsed like the bike had been shot. both springs hanging out the top of the fork legs and manky oil everywhere. The bike fell forward off the centre stand and fell flat on its side. How I larfed at myself and my lack of forethought.

Cheers Alan, Shenstone branch

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by russ_gott at April 23. 2012

Thank you to all members for the good advice..Russ

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by paul_edwards at August 29. 2012

Previously wrote:

SAE 20 oil is the recommended fluid from back in the day, and the quantity is 5 fl oz. These days a lot of riders use automatic transmission fluid in their forks, maybe because straight 20 oil is not so easy to find?

Re: Roadholder fork oil change

Posted by lionel_yexley at August 30. 2012

I seem to remember that 5fl oz as listed by Norton isn't actually the right or best quantity. I think there's a technical article somewhere that says they function better with a little more oil. I'm going on holiday again soon but if I get the time I'll try and find it.

Cheers, Lionel