fork oil. how much what kind?

[azguzzirep]

After I reset the seal in the fork, I want to drain both fork tubes and put in new oil. But......

My Ev has those adjustable springs. Do the caps come off same as the older type?

Do the fork tubes also drain the same as the older bikes? I would think so.

What weight and amount of oil do I add?

Thanks!

Tom

[leafman60]

Fun reading-


http://www.peterverdone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Suspension_Fluid


.

[guzzisteve]

Tom,          If you are still riding a 98 EV there is a Phillips head fill screw w/oring on the top cap, and a 4mm allen & orings on the bottom.  Set the adj knobs to minimum first then take out fill screws then drain screws, let it drain, then pump out cartridges compressing the forks, repeat a few times, let it drip out. Then I blow air in the top to get it all out. Close up bottom & fill in top screw holes w/485cc 15W fork oil ea leg. I use a ketchup bottle w/a couple orings on the small outlet to seal it up in the small screw hole. I also put Dow Corning molykote oring grease on fork tubes w/pumping to coat the seals so they stay soft & tight. Pump the legs w/done to get it back in cartridges, reset knobs and your done. Don't forget to clean off oil on brake rotors from draining them.   

[Two Checks]

Hmmm every cartridge type fork I have run across the cartridges are sealed units.

[azguzzirep]

First, thanks all for the info.
Yes, it's a 98EV.

Second, will the cartridges leak or is there oil in there too?

[azguzzirep]

485cc's equals about 16.5 ounces. That's a lot!

[guzzisteve]

The cartridges leak back into fork legs, fork legs are the reservoir for the unit. To empty them and get all the fluid out I sit in front of front wheel and pull down on triple tree w/front brake tied on while on the centerstand. Once you refill and pump the front end, they fill back up and stay full. 

[Two Checks]

Not on any cartridges I have used.

[azguzzirep]

 

I'm getting conflicting info here.

[canuck750]

Cartridges are sealed, the oil in the fork tube is just to keep the spring and damper rod lubricated and you don't use much.

If the cartridge is leaking oil its finished, buy new ones and splurge on FAC cartridges, not the screen door units that Guzzi fitted stock.

[guzzisteve]

Believe what you want, who here does it(did it) for a living on current bikes newer than 97 or USD forks, I'm not arguing the crap, have a nice day. If you can take it apart and buy parts for it, it's not sealed.

[canuck750]

No disrespect intended, my knowledge is limited to the sealed cartridges only, early bike design I suppose. I take it OP's bike uses a cartridge different from the Tonti era bikes?

[Ted N]

Follow Steve's direction, 100% correct as stated including the quantity of fluid. I just did my 98 V11 EV forks as stated. No cartridge per say, Just a conventional fork inside.

Ted

[guzzisteve]

I shouldn't be posting w/I been drinking, gets me all the time. No offense and not a good excuse from me. And Ted is right, not really a cartridge more like an emulator in there.

[canuck750]

No worries Steve.

Are cartridge type forks unique to Moto Guzzi?

I never seen such a set up until I got into the Tonti frame bikes, seems like a simple system but is the damping limited by the small size of the damper reservoir?

[oldbike54]

No worries Steve.

Are cartridge type forks unique to Moto Guzzi?

I never seen such a set up until I got into the Tonti frame bikes, seems like a simple system but is the damping limited by the small size of the damper reservoir?

 Sealed cartridge forks are the norm on high end sporting MC's , both street and dirt , along with Wings , and most high priced bikes .

 Dusty

[canuck750]

Sealed cartridge forks are the norm on high end sporting MC's , both street and dirt , along with Wings , and most high priced bikes .

 Dusty

Thanks Dusty, I never had a high end motorcycle until I found Guzzi!

[oldbike54]

Thanks Dusty, I never had a high end motorcycle until I found Guzzi!

 Me either Jim   

 Dusty

[azguzzirep]

Alrighty, then!
I'll be getting to it this weekend!

Thanks all!

Tom