Fork oil Top off.

[TurboFan]

I thought I better check that the fork oil wasn't getting low, so I opened the forks while they are still on the bike. I didn't want to replace seals or change the oil, just make sure I wasn't low.

Triumph makes three special tools for this, but I didn't order them, and I thought I could get by using tools I already had.

The fork spring has to be compressed to reassemble the fork tube, and it is REALLY stiff, or I am getting REALLY old and feeble. Anyway I gave up and made the tools pull the springs down with a pair of ratchet straps, not hard to make. You need a lathe and a 10 mm by 1 pitch plug tap. 10 x 1 is finer than I have used on other stuff.

In use the tools look like:





and the retriever rod looks like this:

 

[TurboFan]

IMHO this is only an issue if you are trailering the bike long distances and riding it short distances. I worry how much oil has been pumped out as the bike bounces down the road on my modified (and wholly inadequate) 3 rail dirt bike trailer. I've only riding three miles in the past 16 months, but I've trailered it 18 hours for those three miles. Should have bought the tools! lol.

If I was riding the bike on the street, I would like to believe I could notice the change in handling.

 

[budman]

I tried to change out the stock springs for progressives a while back..I didn't have the 'special' tools nor the ability to make them..I got them apart ok, but quickly became very frustrated trying to get the them back together..ended up taking the forks and springs to a dealer to have them do it..much easier..

 

[TurboFan]

I hear ya. I try to avoid maintenance things. They just don't have the thrill of years gone by, but I started this on a Sat night etc...
As long as the motor is still stock, things like cam tensioner, or even valve adjust, I'll load it on the trailer and take it to the dealer. They have treated me very well over the years, but once in a while something comes along....