Matris fork install

[ampm7]

I just did some work to the 2016 Eldo. I needed to put on new tires and spline grease, final drive oil, brake pads, spray the front lower fork legs, LED light bars on the rear, brake fluids and Matris fork install. One of the reasons for me posting is to give some of you guys that have the Eldo a leg up on changing the fork oil. The problem with the forks on this bike is that, after removing the cinch bolts the fork will not drop through the triple clamp due to a flange on the fork nut. In order to loosen, one has to make a special tool (thin stainless or ferrous metal) with an opening of 19mm. You'll need to remove the handlebars and having another person use your spring compressor to press down on the spacer, insert the tool and unscrew the fork cap. You'll also need to jam a large slotted screwdriver into the top clamp and the bottom to spread it enough to remove the fork. Then you can clean out the fork. I usually use Kerosene and turn it upside down and let drain overnight. Because, you cannot put oil in it and put the fork nut on, it is best to put the empty fork back in the bike and then fill from the top. 612 ml is what the manual says and I measured with the fork out of the bike. So, that is the correct measurement. Then just reverse the procedure. I took the Sachs shocks out (a pain) and because the Matris was made for a "Kaifa" fork and not the Sachs I had to change the dimensions of the lower fork leg bolt. Sachs was M10 fine and the Matris bolt is M12 1.25. I used JB Waterweld to seal the bolt in as you could not fit a sealing washer in as the Sachs had. Then it was merely taking the Matris and screwing it in by hand and then putting the fork back in the bike fill with oil and pump. Then put springs in and using the floor jack up & down for the installation of the adjuster/fork nuts. Put in the cinch bolts (there was already one in the lower triple clamp to facilitate the fork from falling out) and tighten. Do not overtighten the fork nuts! Once that was done, the front wheel can go back on and tighten the axle and cinch bolt. The Brembo brakes are made to service in the bike but you have to remove the brake pads as you want to remove the brakes from the bike before you change the front tire. Then you put the brakes on without the pads and then install the pads. Will be taking the bike out today to test everything...Some pictures...         


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[moto-uno]

That fork oil change sounds like a serious PITA . The volume of oil you mention , is that per fork leg ?
Was the Matris kit  just a damper or did it include springs ? $ ?  Peter

[ampm7]

612 ml per fork leg. More than usual on a lot of bikes but when I poured out the old oil I put it in a container and the filled a 500ml beaker and there was at least the remaining 112ml in the container. The Matris is a complete fork cartridge. You'll need to look at the inner lower fork legs (hard to see) which brand of forks you have in there. I also put in a blend of 5w Motorex that was included and Amsoil Shock Therapy 10w at 306ml per oil. I wanted the oil to be around 7.5w. In the Guzzi Eldo shop manual it recommends 40,000km on the fork oil. That seems like a lot of km's before change. Most bikes I have had wanted it replaced at 12,500-20,000 miles. Just like it says in the final drive that it can go 50,000km before change. All my previous Guzzi's suggested changing the final drive oil at 8-12,000 miles. Anyway, I changed all the oils as I had the bike apart. Won't have to worry about it for a while. One thing I have noticed is with the adjustability in the Matris you can get the forks much more compliant and not as heavy a compressed feel. In other words, a softer ride or you can make it as harsh as you want.

[ampm7]

Did 20 miles after install and then an adjustment-14 clicks both rebound and compression-and 4 graduated marks exposed on preload. Went for a ride of 60 miles and backed off preload .5 graduated marks and to 16 clicks. Did 160 miles today. Works very well considering the roads around here are atrocious and the Cardan drive doesn't help matters because it is very harsh even with shock upgrades. It is what it is...