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sweetip2000
10-28-2025, 01:46 AM
Original OEM oil from 1986 (whats left of it) in forks. Needs seals. Is it OK to loosen any nuts for drain and fill before taking the forks off ? I do not have a bench with a vice. Only hand held vice grips and I do not want to murder it. None of the nuts have ever been wrenched and I don't want to be the first to strip them because I am good at doing that. Got the bike from original owner.
Dirtcrasher
11-17-2025, 06:10 AM
Original OEM oil from 1986 (whats left of it) in forks. Needs seals. Is it OK to loosen any nuts for drain and fill before taking the forks off ? I do not have a bench with a vice. Only hand held vice grips and I do not want to murder it. None of the nuts have ever been wrenched and I don't want to be the first to strip them because I am good at doing that. Got the bike from original owner.

Andy, my friend. Why wouldn't you go grab a 10mm and 12mm wrench? That's pretty much all you need to remove the forks. But, the wheel has to come off first. and a few other odds and ends.

Is your question can you drain and refill the forks with new oil?? Of course, by loosening the 10MM bolt at the bottom of the fork leg. And removing the cap (with a monkey wrench is all you'll have I guess). How do you plan to not "murder" any fastners when using vice grips?? How are you gonna change the fork seals?? Once they leak, they'll keep leaking. If this trike was original, why rush and harm it??

I so wish you kept that 350X I went through completely for you in one weekend while you were here. It was the best it could ever be...
sweetip2000
11-18-2025, 04:16 AM
Andy, my friend. Why wouldn't you go grab a 10mm and 12mm wrench? That's pretty much all you need to remove the forks. But, the wheel has to come off first. and a few other odds and ends.

Is your question can you drain and refill the forks with new oil?? Of course, by loosening the 10MM bolt at the bottom of the fork leg. And removing the cap (with a monkey wrench is all you'll have I guess). How do you plan to not "murder" any fastners when using vice grips?? How are you gonna change the fork seals?? Once they leak, they'll keep leaking. If this trike was original, why rush and harm it??

I so wish you kept that 350X I went through completely for you in one weekend while you were here. It was the best it could ever be...

That was an incredible experience. The one weekend fix. I wish I would have kept it however if I did I would have to sell it. I cant kick over a thumper now with the titanium in my leg from the Harley accident. I would not put an E start on a 350X. So what are you gonna do with that 86 200X parked on the wall ?

And furthermore yes I have a chimp wrench.
Dirtcrasher
11-18-2025, 11:22 PM
That was an incredible experience. The one weekend fix. I wish I would have kept it however if I did I would have to sell it. I cant kick over a thumper now with the titanium in my leg from the Harley accident. I would not put an E start on a 350X. So what are you gonna do with that 86 200X parked on the wall ?

And furthermore yes I have a chimp wrench.

I built another one after that one and ended up with another fully rebuilt 86 200X. I still have all my trikes and built an addition 2 years ago onto it 24x20x10' tall. And soon I plan to build a 35 x 50 metal building. Then I can put everything together. Only problem I have is everyone I used to ride with has moved, passed away, has other hobbies or is in jail. I'm on my own now.
sweetip2000
11-20-2025, 05:51 AM
Most places I used to ride are some of the best trails under high tension wires. That is all off limits to bikers. Most everything has been trashed since the c0vid 9teen . Most of my immediate family has passed on. Do you still have access to the riding local to you ? I am grateful for what little garage space I have.
JThias
12-14-2025, 08:14 AM
Original OEM oil from 1986 (whats left of it) in forks. Needs seals. Is it OK to loosen any nuts for drain and fill before taking the forks off ? I do not have a bench with a vice. Only hand held vice grips and I do not want to murder it. None of the nuts have ever been wrenched and I don't want to be the first to strip them because I am good at doing that. Got the bike from original owner.

I've never done any maintenance with the forks on my '85 250SX (I'm the original owner) but am planning on doing so this spring. Like you, I have a propensity to stripping or breaking old bolts, leaving me with having to drill them out and re-tap (which I'm not very good at either :lol: ).

Nick from West Michigan Motorsports made a great how-to video for changing the oil and seals in the forks of a 250SX. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/Jeb3zy51RaI?si=OIrQgIwgp6tyFl2N
sweetip2000
12-17-2025, 01:41 AM
I've never done any maintenance with the forks on my '85 250SX (I'm the original owner) but am planning on doing so this spring. Like you, I have a propensity to stripping or breaking old bolts, leaving me with having to drill them out and re-tap (which I'm not very good at either :lol: ).

Nick from West Michigan Motorsports made a great how-to video for changing the oil and seals in the forks of a 250SX. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/Jeb3zy51RaI?si=OIrQgIwgp6tyFl2N


Yes I saw that video. If I remember correctly there are service manuals somewhere on this site.