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Front suspension oil level?

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Posted by: Nathan Rubin---------------------

Dear Jeremy.
Im riding DR-350S.
I heard that front stifeness can be adjusted by changing original oil level. Is that true?


Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

Nathan - raising oil level will improve bottoming resistance and stiffen the fork in the last part of the travel. It will have no impact on the early part of the travel unless you add way too much oil.

Usually the first step in setting up the suspension is getting the right spring. If yours are too soft, you should try to stiffen them up some. If you cut coils off your stock fork springs, they will be stiffer (make sure that they will not coil bind at full compression and you will have to add more spacers).


Posted by: Rcannon---------------------

Nathan, I had to comment on this as I previously owned a DR 350. I bought a set of springs for my DR from Jesse at http://www.kientech.com/. He specializes in DR 's. This is an excellent resource for any DR owner.

The stock springs are way too soft. Unless you weigh under 130, raising the oil level does not help much. If you get the oil high enough to stop bottoming the forks beat the crap out of you. They become very harsh.

The bike is very very good with modified suspension. It is well worth investing some money in.


Posted by: Nathan Rubin---------------------

Thank you very much for advice.
Please tell me where to get the spacers, or at least what metall they made of.


Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

If you shorten your font springs, you can restore the proper pre-load by by using some washers, or by cutting a peice of PVC pipe to fit.

FWIW, one of my friends with a DR stiffened his rear spring by braising in some metal wedges between two coils of his rear shock spring. It was effective and cheap. He repainted the spring and it looked stock.

Bottom line is you can stiffen the bike up without spending much money.


Posted by: Vic---------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by dirt bike dave
one of my friends with a DR stiffened his rear spring by braising in some metal wedges between two coils of his rear shock spring. It was effective and cheap.


I've achieved the same result using a couple of small hose clamps.


Posted by: Nathan Rubin---------------------

What is the proper level of oil for DR-350S?
Maybe I just not filled enough quantity.
Repair manual says different numbers, I don't know what to choose.


Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

I don't know what the manual says, but I would start at 115 mm from the top of the fork tubes, measured with the springs removed and the fork compressed. My guess is that will put you in the ball park without risking overfilling.

If it is still bottoms out too easily, raise the oil 10mm at a time. If it doesn't bottom at all, take a little out.


Posted by: Vic---------------------

That sounds like a good starting point.

I don't think I would go higher than 100mm.

You also may want to consider using a heavier weight oil.



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