Changing only the fork oil on 250es?

[dreux13]

So I've searched the forum and found all the info I need about the type of oil and weight/amount, but I can't find anything about how to ONLY change the oil and not the seals, etc.

I'm not a mechanic and have limited time. The rebound isn't sounding right and I suspect that the original oil is in there. The machine is a low hour gem too!

I know I can drain the oil via the Allen bolts at the bottom, but how do you add oil? Through top bolts? Flip the machine on its ass and go that route?

Thanks in advance!

[hillbilly 200x]

I have added it that before, it was hard trying to get all the fluid in there

[jeswinehart]

Jack up front and remove tire.
Loosen pinch bolts that are right beside the fender side(s)
wiggle the fork(s) down and out (good luck, hope it is that easy for you~wasn't for me)
Once you got a fork leg in hand you will see a snap ring on inside top, remove and then remove oil seal.
Kinda a good idea to drain them before hand.

[Flossyb20]

You need to take the shocks out of the forks to change your oil, meaning break the whole front wheel down...each fork has 2 bolt that pinch the shock in place. Once you have them out, you'll see a flat cap with a small indent on top of the shock tube...now here's the pain-in-the-ass part, you need to compress just that cap, and then with a set picks, get the ring out that holds the cap in place (make sure you've drained the oil out of the tube from the bottom). Once that's off, compress and extend the shock a few times to get all the old fluid out, then refill and repeat. I warn you though, it's a lot harder to get that cap back in than it was to get out...a vice will help, but you'll need to be extra careful not to scratch/bend/dent the tube....a honda manual will lay this process out step by step....good luck

[dreux13]

So it's a year later and I did rebuild my forks per the instructions above and service manual. Wasn't too bad, but it still was a pain.

With that said, the ride was better, but it still took a beating on the trails. I ended up needing to add some more fork oil (15wt) the way that I originally thought of doing it and it worked great!

In the end, if they've never been rebuilt, take the time to take everything apart and clean. If you need to add an ounce to make it a bit stiffer, than put her on her rear and pull out the syringe!

Hope the helps someone along the way!