Folks,
I have a great deal of experience with this subject. I agree, do not use
anything heavier than 50wt fork oil. (internal damage often reuslts) You
are correct that the valves are adjustable. They will adjust both
compression AND rebound. Remember that you are adding or "topping up" the
shock because the oil has leaked. You do not need to use fork oil for fear
of destroying the seals. Yes, oil will leak out, but it did before. Email
me privately, if you wish, for details, I'm happy to share.
Peter C
At 08:54 AM 6/11/99 , Chris Lillja wrote:
>
>Dudes-
>
>I've never tried anything that heavy in my lever shox, but way back when I
>tried 90w in the forks of my Kawasaki 125 Enduro when I decided it needed a
>lot more dampening. Result -- blown seals. Oil that heavy has a tendency
>just to "go around" the seals and foam like heck. Result, not much
>dampening, not for long....
>
>Anyway I just sent J.K. Jackson's lever shock suggestions to another lister.
>Here they are for the benefit if the entire list:
>
>"Use stock Armstrong levers - there is an adjustable valve under the large
>plug. Tighten the nut at the end of the valve all the way down and put a
>.070" washer under the spring. Refill the shock with 30wt oil (he means M/C
>fork oil) and bleed all air from the shock before you put the valving and
>the large plug back in."
>
>From what I understand the valve only affects bump, not rebound settings.
>The heavier oil will help with rebound. The Harley 50wt is probably as heavy
>you should go.
>
>These suggestions appeared in a Grassroots Motorsports article "The RxFiles"
>where a TR6 was the subject. (Mar/Apr 97)
>
>I've actually read about people "remote gas pressurizing" their lever
>shocks. By adding a line fitting where the fill plug is, and adding a
>motorcycle style gas or air pressurized reservoir. A few PSI of air or gas
>pressure really helps the oil from foaming and the increased oil volume
>helps keep the oil cooler in long events. I guess your oil seals would have
>to be in really good shape!
>
>Chris Lillja
>'66 TR4A
>'74 Norton Commando 850
>'71 Spit MKIV
>http://members.aol.com/lilljaweb/index.html
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