Overhauling Mk3 forks

[andrew19]

I have searched FAQ but so far not been able to find an answer so would be grateful for advice.

Which side up should the large steel washer (for want of a better word) which is situated above the oil seal be fitted? One face is machined flat and the other appears to be slightly bevelled. Unfortunately it was fitted differently in each fork so taking note during disassembly has not helped

[knackeredMk1]

Don't believe it matters.

[fallenmikethebike]

+1, It's a scraper ring for catching burrs.
Mike

[andrew19]

Thanks. Received bushes and oil and dust seals from Leisure Trail today so will put back together this weekend. I'm going to try 10wt oil.

[fallenmikethebike]

10 wt will make the damping firmer, but the rebound will be slower.
Mike

[andrew19]

FMTB

I weigh about 80kg kitted up. Are you suggesting I should use 5w? I won't be doing any jumps just "sedate" green laning

[fallenmikethebike]

I usually use a cocktail of the those two mixed, giving a 7.5, but I believe that weight is now available straight of the shelf.
PS, I'm about the same body mass, but would up the oil weight for any more exuberant riding.
Mike

[andrew19]

Motol do a 7.5 and I can obtain from M&P for £15 a litre.

Not sure about too "exuberant" rides at my age (60+)

[fallenmikethebike]

Evergreen, 60's the new 50's now .
Mike

[jompy]

[quote="fallenmikethebike"] Evergreen, 60's the new 50's now .
Mike[/quote]

i bleedin hope so

[fallenmikethebike]

Evergreen, 60's the new 50's now .
Mike

i bleedin hope so

I think it's a case of having to be, what with all our pensions shot to buggery, austerity ridden Britain, and having to get those bankers bonuses back on track, I don't see retirement coming around quite as soon as many of us envisaged.
Mike

[andrew19]

Well, I bought the 10w in the end so it will have to be "exuberant" rides.

Actually the fact that the 10w was 60% of the price of the 7.5w was what swung it.

What came out of the forks seemed a lot more viscous than the 10w so should still be a plush ride -- I hope!

[Eddie Evans]

On a trials web site it was saying that ATF was equivalent to 7 wt fork oi and a lot cheaper.
I buy ATF for about £15 for 5 liters and use it as gearbox oil. Now I'll be using it as fork oil in the trials bike but the CRM(fitted with XR650R forks) and enduro bikes will still be getting 5wt fork oil because I prefer the handling with the lighter oil.

[fallenmikethebike]

On a trials web site it was saying that ATF was equivalent to 7 wt fork oi and a lot cheaper.
I buy ATF for about £15 for 5 liters and use it as gearbox oil. Now I'll be using it as fork oil in the trials bike but the CRM(fitted with XR650R forks) and enduro bikes will still be getting 5wt fork oil because I prefer the handling with the lighter oil.

+1 Yep, I've had no problems using it for that purpose either, and as Eddie says, being that cheap, replacement times can be shortened to keep that just done feel.
Mike

[andrew19]

Got the bike MOT'd yesterday. Must say the forks are great after the refurb.

Will be trying ATF for transmission oil once I've changed the gear selector shaft oil seal. Is this a seal that has to be bought from LT?

I've not managed to find a seal number/size in FAQ. I will check for numbers on the seal when I remove the old one though.