Showa Oil level

Nasher · 17-03-2021, 09:02 AM

Does anyone know the recommended Oil level 'Gap' for this style of fully adjustable Showa?

I know the older version(40mm Calliper mounts) is 108mm, but not sure about these.
I've seen everything from 94mm to 132mm quoted online.
They are the shorter length S4/ST ones, not the longer 1000SS ones.

Got a new Stanchion arriving for the one in pieces today, and would like to get them back together.

Thanks

Nasher.

Kato · 17-03-2021, 09:19 AM

S4 service manual says 492cc and level at 94mm

Nasher · 17-03-2021, 09:32 AM

Thanks Kato

I've just found a ST service manual on line and it says 7.5 weight Oil at 109mm.
But that could be because the ST is heavier.

Haynes say 108mm for the 900SSie fitted with the same forks.

Looks like I'll start with the 94mm and top it up if it needs it.

Nasher.

Mr Gazza · 17-03-2021, 09:52 AM

My Ducati Manual for M900Sie with adjustable Showas says 108mm.

I measured the level in the forks before I emptied them, with all the gubbins still inside and hanging vertically fully extended. It was 72mm, so that's what I put back.
They appear to be working beautifully with new 7.5w, but seeing all the other figures, I might suck some out, but then again I probably won't as they have been at that level since I've owned it and I was told by the PO that they had Ohlins internals. I don't know if that's true or not, but if it aint broke as they say.. Maybe next year they will be professionally inspected?

Kato · 17-03-2021, 10:36 AM

The correct way to measure is with spring out
fork leg fully compressed

Nasher · 17-03-2021, 10:37 AM

Thanks Mr G.

I'm going to try the 94mm and see how they feel.

The one I've taken to bits has some nasty marks on the old stanchion, and has probably the worst oil I've ever seen in a fork, really grey and thick. So the damper will get flushed through with some engine flushing oil I have before cleaning it again.

The oil in the other one just looks like normal used fork oil.

The new Stanchion and seals have arrived from Wemoto, so I just need to get this 'working from home thing out of the way for another day before I can put them back together.

They are for my new, very simple, project which arrives with me tomorrow.

Nasher.

jerry · 17-03-2021, 12:09 PM

I have experimented with that type of fork with oil levels as high as 85mm and as low as 120mm about 95 -100mm seems best they also work best with 7.5w oil but check the springs 8.5nm or 9nm are best ,, some had 9.5 and even 10nm in which is horrible

Mr Gazza · 17-03-2021, 12:31 PM

You're welcome Simon.

i also found dirty foul smelling oil in one leg, the offside I think, opposite to yours?

After you have set the level as Kato kindly stated, I would be interested to know how high your level is with the spring in and the leg extended as I measured mine. Obviously the spring is going to displace a lot of oil and then extending them will change it again.
No worries if you don't want the hassle...

Darren69 · 17-03-2021, 01:14 PM

Did you get the foot off easily? I've a TIn set that needs a new stanction. You could probably get them re-chromed and ground, the other one is probably equally worn too, maybe?

Nasher · 17-03-2021, 02:00 PM

Yep, the foot came off OK.

I've done a couple now.
Hold the stanchion in a vice wrapped up in a sheet of 2mm silicone rubber, warm the foot up with a blowlamp then unscrew it with a bar through the axle hole.

This one has some dinks out of it, it's not worn.

The tubes are available from a few places for less than £140ea, which is not only about the same price if not cheaper than re-chroming, but you don't have to wait 6 weeks with the bike off the road whilst they get around to doing it.

Nasher.

Darkness · 17-03-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Yep, the foot came off OK.

I've done a couple now.
Hold the stanchion in a vice wrapped up in a sheet of 2mm silicone rubber, warm the foot up with a blowlamp then unscrew it with a bar through the axle hole.

This one has some dinks out of it, it's not worn.

The tubes are available from a few places for less than £140ea, which is not only about the same price if not cheaper than re-chroming, but you don't have to wait 6 weeks with the bike off the road whilst they get around to doing it.

Nasher.

Are you going for the TIn on the replacements?

Nasher · 17-03-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkness

Are you going for the TIn on the replacements?

I nearly did, but the extra cost seamed way OTT.

Just buying one pattern leg in chrome was @£140.

But I'd have to buy two in 'Gold' at £225ea(£450)

Perhaps if both needed replacing I'd have gone for it.

Nasher.

Terryphukwit · 01-02-2022, 09:02 AM

Hi Nasher, how did you get on with the forks, oil levels etc, I have just refurbed my S4 forks that I believe are the same, 7.5wt oil and 492ml was way over and gave a very hard ride, I have removed oil to about 420ml and is a lot better but still nasty over sharp bumps, thinking of swapping oil out to 5wt so very interested on your experiences.

jerry · 01-02-2022, 09:41 AM

If they have the original springs which are probably 9.5nm they wont be much cop,, get 8.5nm springs and maybe a revalve too , 7,5w oil is fine ,,

they will never be great as the rebound circuit is rubbish ,,its too short does nought ,

i eventually put a set of 996 forks on mine , rebound circuit is decent on that model fork with 8.5nm springs and a revalve with Ktec valves and 8,5m springs ,, 7.5 w oil

17-03-2021, 09:02 AM	#1
Nasher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portsmouth Bike: M900 Posts: 1,510	Showa Oil level Does anyone know the recommended Oil level 'Gap' for this style of fully adjustable Showa? I know the older version(40mm Calliper mounts) is 108mm, but not sure about these. I've seen everything from 94mm to 132mm quoted online. They are the shorter length S4/ST ones, not the longer 1000SS ones. Got a new Stanchion arriving for the one in pieces today, and would like to get them back together. Thanks Nasher. __________________ Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over.

17-03-2021, 09:19 AM	#2
Kato Dismantled Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East Molesey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,223	S4 service manual says 492cc and level at 94mm __________________ "Political correctness is just intellectual colonialism and psychological fascism for the creation of thought crime"

17-03-2021, 09:32 AM	#3
Nasher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portsmouth Bike: M900 Posts: 1,510	Thanks Kato I've just found a ST service manual on line and it says 7.5 weight Oil at 109mm. But that could be because the ST is heavier. Haynes say 108mm for the 900SSie fitted with the same forks. Looks like I'll start with the 94mm and top it up if it needs it. Nasher. __________________ Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over.

17-03-2021, 09:52 AM	#4
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,815	My Ducati Manual for M900Sie with adjustable Showas says 108mm. I measured the level in the forks before I emptied them, with all the gubbins still inside and hanging vertically fully extended. It was 72mm, so that's what I put back. They appear to be working beautifully with new 7.5w, but seeing all the other figures, I might suck some out, but then again I probably won't as they have been at that level since I've owned it and I was told by the PO that they had Ohlins internals. I don't know if that's true or not, but if it aint broke as they say.. Maybe next year they will be professionally inspected? __________________

17-03-2021, 10:36 AM	#5
Kato Dismantled Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East Molesey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,223	The correct way to measure is with spring out fork leg fully compressed __________________ "Political correctness is just intellectual colonialism and psychological fascism for the creation of thought crime"

17-03-2021, 10:37 AM	#6
Nasher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portsmouth Bike: M900 Posts: 1,510	Thanks Mr G. I'm going to try the 94mm and see how they feel. The one I've taken to bits has some nasty marks on the old stanchion, and has probably the worst oil I've ever seen in a fork, really grey and thick. So the damper will get flushed through with some engine flushing oil I have before cleaning it again. The oil in the other one just looks like normal used fork oil. The new Stanchion and seals have arrived from Wemoto, so I just need to get this 'working from home thing out of the way for another day before I can put them back together. They are for my new, very simple, project which arrives with me tomorrow. Nasher. __________________ Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over.

17-03-2021, 12:09 PM	#7
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	I have experimented with that type of fork with oil levels as high as 85mm and as low as 120mm about 95 -100mm seems best they also work best with 7.5w oil but check the springs 8.5nm or 9nm are best ,, some had 9.5 and even 10nm in which is horrible __________________ MONSTERMAN

17-03-2021, 12:31 PM	#8
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,815	You're welcome Simon. i also found dirty foul smelling oil in one leg, the offside I think, opposite to yours? After you have set the level as Kato kindly stated, I would be interested to know how high your level is with the spring in and the leg extended as I measured mine. Obviously the spring is going to displace a lot of oil and then extending them will change it again. No worries if you don't want the hassle... __________________

17-03-2021, 01:14 PM	#9
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	Did you get the foot off easily? I've a TIn set that needs a new stanction. You could probably get them re-chromed and ground, the other one is probably equally worn too, maybe? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

17-03-2021, 02:00 PM	#10
Nasher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portsmouth Bike: M900 Posts: 1,510	Yep, the foot came off OK. I've done a couple now. Hold the stanchion in a vice wrapped up in a sheet of 2mm silicone rubber, warm the foot up with a blowlamp then unscrew it with a bar through the axle hole. This one has some dinks out of it, it's not worn. The tubes are available from a few places for less than £140ea, which is not only about the same price if not cheaper than re-chroming, but you don't have to wait 6 weeks with the bike off the road whilst they get around to doing it. Nasher. __________________ Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over.

01-02-2022, 09:02 AM	#13
Terryphukwit Registered User Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Canterbury Bike: S4 Posts: 75	How did it go?? Hi Nasher, how did you get on with the forks, oil levels etc, I have just refurbed my S4 forks that I believe are the same, 7.5wt oil and 492ml was way over and gave a very hard ride, I have removed oil to about 420ml and is a lot better but still nasty over sharp bumps, thinking of swapping oil out to 5wt so very interested on your experiences.

01-02-2022, 09:41 AM	#14
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,822	If they have the original springs which are probably 9.5nm they wont be much cop,, get 8.5nm springs and maybe a revalve too , 7,5w oil is fine ,, they will never be great as the rebound circuit is rubbish ,,its too short does nought , i eventually put a set of 996 forks on mine , rebound circuit is decent on that model fork with 8.5nm springs and a revalve with Ktec valves and 8,5m springs ,, 7.5 w oil __________________ MONSTERMAN