Adding Fork oil after loosing "Anti Dive" 83 SECA

Hello all.... Newbie here looking for some help. I just started a new build on a 1983 XJ750 Seca. I wanted to remove the front forks to repaint them. After removing the wheel I saw, what I now have been told is the "Anti Dive", attached to the fork. Not knowing what it was I started unbolting it from the fork and oil started bleeding out. I quickly re-tightened the blots but not before loosing a 1/2 cup of oil.

Question is.... how do I replace the oil I've lost? The forks are not leaking so I do not want to rebuild the entire forks if I did not have to. Should I just drain both forks by removing the "Anti Dive" and add fresh oil?

Help please and thank you.

 

You will need to drain the forks via the drain bolt at the bottom of the fork, and refill via the top cap. This thread details a full rebuild, including the draining and refilling procedure. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760178 Note that the link covers the procedure for the maxim forks, but the drain and fill portion is identical for your bike, but you will be filling with 309cc of new fork oil (don't reuse what is in there, it's full of tiny bits of aluminum from years of neglect).

This thread covers what the internals of your forks look like. http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=41895.html. About 3/4 of te way down Chacals excellent thread http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/ you will find links and information that details a full rebuild procedure, and how to tell if you need to rebuild your forks.

I do suggest that you inspect the anti-dive internals as the small piston that makes the whole shebang work tends to get gummed up after 30 years of poor maintainance practices. I find that 15 weight fork oil is a better choice than the 2o weight that Yamaha calls for if you intend to so more touring than sporty riding.

 

Thanks soooo much for replying. I'm pulling the forks today. Do you suggest I drain and refill just for the sake of putting in fresh oil?

 

You should at least do a drain and refill. Once the forks are off it's really not that much more time or effort to disassemble them, inspect the bushings for excessive wear, and put new seals on. A job done once is cheaper and less frustrating.