chopper667

OK peeps I have now drained the forks of the old oil and used 20/50w engine oile as suggested. Still a little bouncy for my liking though... is this common for these bikes? Maybe the springs are knackered?

Yes mate that does help - a lot! I hadn't thought of using 20/50 oil but as I'm riding an Enfield I got loads of the stuff... £4 a gallon at Asda I should be able to get this done at the weekend so will let you know how it goes. I have kindly been sent the manual so I even know how much oil to put in as well! I played a gig in a church in Stroud about 8 years ago... now that was weird

That's grand, gentlemen, thanks very much. Now taking the forks off ain't a problem as such, only I believed (up until now) that the only way to get all the existing oil out was to remove drain bolts/plugs and compress the forks - I have done this before by applying front brake and bouncing it. Similarly, I have read that the same proceedure is recommended when you fill 'em up. After replacing the bolts of course. Does anyone know if there are drain holes inside the bottom of the forks, i.e. higher than the spindle holes? Perhaps someone with a little time could check their manual... I would buy one if I had the whole bike but seeing as I only have the front end (and cash is tight right now) I have other 'priorities' like feeding those pesky kids! In addition, what would be the correct amount of oil to use in each leg? Much appreciated

Aye, that's the one and thanks for your swift reply! So... how do I drain these little beauties?

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in ages... now I have acquired a complete front end from an XVS650 which I have put on my Enfield Bullet 500... long story! My question is: I want to drain the fork oil and add stiffer oil... I can see a drain bolt on one leg but not the other - do you have to remove the spindle and wheel for the other drain bolt to be accessible? Many thanks, Peter.

That's very true! I'm going to swap 'em for some XS250 customs at some point, cos they look better in my opinion.....

Cheers mate! I hope I can get it sorted before it starts turning cold... need to fix the seat, rear mudguard and lights, and add a chain guard for the MOT and then it should be on the road before too long!

Thanks for your reply Tyler... the last thing I wanna do is to restore it back to it's original incarnation, just wanted to know if my suspicions were correct. Plus getting parts would be easier if I knew what the f**k it started out as! Once I've sorted a few bits out I'll get it road legal, ride it around for a while, and then probably tart it up and sell it for a small profit. Then I'll get a real bike!

Come on, peeps - don't be shy!

Hey good peoples, Here's my 1983 XJ550 'project' that I have had since last summer with little time to do much to it. I'd be interested to know if it's a Seca or Maxim, or was that only in the States? Frame number is 4V8005168, same as engine number. But something don't look right at the back end... I suspect it been chopped, as has most of the electrics, basic 'hillbilly wiring' as the moderator on the XJ Bikes forum called it. Anyway, here she is in a very rat form... who knows exactly what this?

Nice one! I kinda like the rugged unfinished look... who needs comfort? I've always wanted to learn those important skills we need to get the bikes looking how we want 'em, welding, upholstery, electrics... it's a lot you need to know! Good luck with your project!

This one looks exactly like how I would have on any one of my bikes!