| Author | Message | ||
     Cecil1 |
My wifes 2000 blast rides fine around town but when you get it to highway speeds the front wheel hops which makes it feel very unstable. Will changing the fork oil help this? Thicker fluid maybe? it has 5878 miles on it. I have the service manual and it looks like you can take the spring,spring seat and spring collar out with the forks still on the bike to change the fluid. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
While the first thought might be the suspension, how's the tire? If a 2000 Blast has 5878 miles on the original Dunflop tire, thats the first place I'd look. If it is, its old, hard and prone to dry rot. Is the wear normal? Cupping? Tire pressure? The Dunlops also ride hard and follow every groove even when new. Check the balance of the tire. The tire probably spins on the bearings very well by now so jacking up the front, giving the brake pads a little spread, you should be able to spincheck the balance. Front wheel bearings are also notorious for going bad on early Blasts. Lastly, the forks need to be turned upside down to change the fluid, there isnt a drain. You can try to pull the fluid out from the top, but its not the most consistent way to drain it all out. If you do change the fork oil ask yourself if the forks are stiff enough and have enough dampening. They tend to be on the soft side so this is your chance to make an improvement on them, if you desire. But the forks would be last on my list (not that after 10 years the fluid doesnt need changing though). IMPORTANT: The fork plugs are held in by 'snap rings'. Do not lose them. They are impossible to get from Buell. The local bearing place may or may not have them. | ||
| Cecil1 |
Thanks for the fast reply gearhead. The tires are new with about 600 miles on em(Avon vipers. I thought I might be able to use a mity-vac brake bleeding tool to suck the fluid out from the top. Just didnt want to take the forks off if I didn't have to. Think that might work? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yeah, might. Normally when you take the fork leg off you need to pump them a bit to get all the oil out. I would keep track of how much you take out. That will let you know if you got most of it or just a little. Certainly worth a try  | ||
| Cecil1 |
Gearhead when you say make an improvement on them are you talking about the pvc insert? At one time I read a thread on here about doin that. Where do you place the pvc and how long of a piece should i use? Thanks again for your help | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Different weight fork oil and shims. You can do the PVC insert, but its much easier just to add washers to the top (right under the fork plug).That way if its too soft or hard you can add or subtract washers as need be. If you pull it apart again (or you think you've got it where you want it) you can pull the stock spacer out (and washers) and replace it with the PVC. * A 1 inch spacer puts you about good for performance riding. A half inch will just stiffen it up a little. The more spacers you put in you should increase the weight of the fork oil. Stock is 10wt. *Depends on how good your springs are. New springs tended to be stiff. After 10 years they are probably a little mushy. Depends on how you like your front end. Stiff, soft or somewhere in between will dictate spacing and fork oil. I run 1" spacers and 20-50 motor oil (if I remember correctly about the oil-its heavy). It was set up for racing. Its a little stiff for the street, but I like it! | ||
| Cecil1 |
Is there a specific size dia. washer i should use? That sounds like a good way to go. I have an extra quart of 20/50 V-twin oil from my last oil change that should work right? |
