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I just use a standard measuring cup.

Sneak it out of the cupboard when she's not lookin'.

 

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I'm just going through this as well, Ray. :waving:

Go to a dollar store and get a measuring cup, preferably one that's marked in both fluid oz and ml.

10cc = 10ml


Make sure all your old oil is completely drained from your forks.


With your springs out of the forks, collapse the fork tubes until they are bottomed out and then pour in the correct amount of fork oil, according to your manual(look under specifications) Then cycle them through full extension/bottoming out a few times.

Progressive calls for the oil to be 5 1/2" from the top of the tubes. Add/withdraw fluid until you reach that level. If you want a little 'plushier' ride, subtract a few ml (5 ml)from each tube. I wouldn't add any more than the recommended level, as progressives ride a little firmer/harsher than your stock set-up when riding solo, but does quite nicely when 2 up.

Once you have your oil level where you want it, add the springs and button her up



Dusty

 

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Dusty Boots is pretty well correct. Read this for info from Porgressive, 15 weight oil required. Read the 'fine tuning' to get results you like.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/forkSprings/3055.pdf

 

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Well, this is all very confusing.:?:? Other threads say 10 - 11oz of fluid, standard. I just put that in with new progressives, but it did not get up to 5.5 inches.

I don't want to overfill and blow a seal again. So what is it? Does 11oz = 5.5 inches? Maybe I did not have the fork collapsed (I guess that means pushed up?)?

 

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:waving:HI lucky,

Just go to the link provided in my above post and print out the Progressive instructions. I don't think you can go wrong. What I did was read carefully and highlight the instruction pertaining to my bike. The instructions provide info for GL 1100/1200/1500.

Oil level isthe distancefrom the top of the fork tube to the top of the oil with the fork tube completely collapsed (both tubes pushed together as faras they will go) and the fork spring removed.

If you go on a few trips and decide the ride is too harsh or too soft, apply the fine tuning instructions.

That's what I did on my GL 1500 and GL 1100A, along with, over the past, two other GL 1500s and one GL 1200. From what I read on this Forum, some have used the fine tuning instructions to change the ride feel. I used the basic initial instructions, no fine tuning,and have been satisfied.



Lucky, you may be Ok with your oil level. :baffled:

The oil level also affects the ride, too high an oil level and the forks will feel too stiff, too low an oil height and the bike will bottom and feel soft or dive.

 

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Dusty
Removing oil will not make the ride any plusher. Oil is used to dampen the fork travel by being forced through a metered hole which is at the bottom of the fork, so lowering the oil level will have absolutly no affect on the ride. To get a softer ride try a lighter oil, maybe 10W or 7W.

 

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Cal-D wrote:

Dusty
Removing oil will not make the ride any plusher. Oil is used to dampen the fork travel by being forced through a metered hole which is at the bottom of the fork, so lowering the oil level will have absolutly no affect on the ride. To get a softer ride try a lighter oil, maybe 10W or 7W.

:waving:Hi Cal-D. You are correct on the change of oil weight. That is included in Progressive's instructions for fine tuning (link in my above post).



Also: Copied word for word from Progressive Spring Installition information for fine tuning (link in my above post):

The oil level also affects the ride, too high an oil level and the forks will feel too stiff, too low an oil height and the bike will bottom and feel soft or dive.


I am happy with my GL 1500 and my GL 1100A and did not use any fine tuning.

 

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On a 1500 and a 1100 I did it Progressive's way and then compared using the amount called for in the Honda manual. Didn't see much difference in the level in the tubes, definitely not enough to worry about. If one was being real particular reducing the oil level about 1.5 oz. from the Honda calloutwould be very close to Progressive's recommended depth. In my bikes I just use the Honda manual callout, never had a seal pop out or have a hydraulic lock due to running out of air space in the tubes.

 

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FYI The 5.5 inches from the top when the forks are collapsed is the maximum amount of fork oil that is recommended by Progressive. This is not the actual amount needed for the forks. It also states that if the manual calls for less than 5.5 inches from the top, they recommend not going any higher than 5.5. I am not sure about the GL1200 but the factory manual for the GL1500 states that the level should be 7.6 inches from the top for the proper amount with factory springs. When changed over to Progressive springs, they displace a little more oil so if the proper amount of fork oil is added, the actual level will be less than 7.6 inches. So with the GL1500 as long as the level falls between 5.5 inches and 7.6 inches from the top, the forks will be ok. Another tip, make sure to pump the forks up and down several times before measuring the level.

 

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When Progressive talks about oil level, they are refering to excessive levels, like 3-4 inches high or low. Honda recommends a level of 5 inches for an 1800 and progressive lowers that by a half inch due to their larger springs displacing more oil. Lowering the oil level by a half inch or even an inch will have no affect. Lowering too much and you will cavitate on large bumps(air in oil) and the suspension will be very mushy. Too high a level will creat a hyd lock on compression and blow the seal.