I changed the front fork oil to Silkolene 10 weight on my 98 XR250 and added the standard amount of oil according to the Owner's Manual. When I ride the bike on the road, the front forks are pitching back and forth a bit. I tried adjusting the compression damping setting to the softest setting possible, but the problem persists. Is the solution to reduce the volume of fork oil, use a 5 weight fork oil, or something else? I don't know that much about suspension. Thanks.

I think 10 wt. is too heavy. 5wt. Would be my choice.

Also, your tire/wheel assemblies need to be balanced for riding the road. Suspension settings won't fix that.

Thanks for the advice, Trailryder42. I will try some 5 wt fork oil. I think the tyre/wheel assemblies on my bike are balanced, because the problem did not occur before I changed the fork oil. However I will check the tyre/wheel assemblies anyway.

Be sure you're bleeding all the air from the damper and getting it completely filled with oil before topping off the fork tube to the recommended height.

TrailRyder42, not sure how to bleed the forks of air...do you move the damper rod back and forth numerous times? Thanks again.

Brian1980, on 25 June 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:

Yes, that's uaually sufficient. In and out, stop to stop, until it's travel is smooth all the way, no skipping between air pockets. It's usually at the very extremes of travel each way that air pockets persist. Just be vigilant and you'll get it all.

What are you setting your final oil height to?

Edited by Trailryder42, 25 June 2012 - 05:30 AM.

TrailRyder42, I have added the 5 wt fork oil to 82 mm below the top of the fork tubes. This is the standard amount of fork oil. I have not finished assembling the forks and the front wheel yet. If fork oil needs to be added or removed, is it possible to do this by removing the fork caps with the forks still attached to the frame? Thanks.

Yes, tho measuring level is more difficult. You more or less add or remove a measured amount. Leave the bottom triple clamp pinch bolts tight and loosen the top ones.

With the bike on a stand and the wheel off the ground, spring preload might be enough get ahold of and pull up the cap, if not, It helps to have the wheel off so you can push the fork tube up, pushing the cap out of the tube.

Edited by Trailryder42, 28 June 2012 - 06:18 AM.

TrailRyder42, that is the way I was thinking to adjust the fork oil volume, if required. I have now ridden the bike with the 5 wt fork oil, and the ride is much better, although I will still try some different compression damping settings. On another note, I removed the rhs crankcase cover to adjust the clutch and I did not replace the gasket with a new one because it was only a few weeks old. Do you think this is risking an oil leak? Thanks.

Brian1980, on 28 June 2012 - 12:27 AM, said:

You removed it to " adjust the clutch"? I'm thinking there's more to it than that if you removed the case cover.

Being in Australia where it can be difficult to get parts, I'd have no problem reusing a gasket that was still in good shape.

TrailRyder42, I actually removed the rhs crankcase cover to adjust the four bolts holding the clutch lifter plate so that the clutch lifter pin rotated at right angles to the clutch. I made a mistake when reinstalling the clutch. Anyway, it now functions correctly. I have not had many problems getting Honda XR250 spare parts in Australia, although I live in the Sydney metro area, which is probably better serviced than most areas of Australia. I have heard that it can be difficult getting Honda motorbike tools though, and not just in Australia.