How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by pop-up » Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:29 am

Looks like ES forks with the anti-dive. Under the rubber should be an Allen key socket. 10mm IIRC.

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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by Uncle Bob » Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:51 pm

pop-up wrote:Looks like ES forks with the anti-dive. Under the rubber should be an Allen key socket. 10mm IIRC.
No, the later GS650GD had the anti-dive as well and this is the later one as it has the 6 spoke wheel (unless that was changed for later type as well), so they could well still be original 650 forks. I'd probably go for the same air gap as in the PDF I attached, rather than quantity.

Popup is right though, pop off the black caps and there should be the Allen Key Sockets underneath.

Are you in the UK? If so what is the reg number of your bike (or at least the letters) as I only ever saw one GD version and that was one I had imported from the states, so interested in if it was my old bike.

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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by Geiros » Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:00 pm

4BEF4F17-5E22-4105-A966-6D9191E4516B.jpeg
Thanks for many replay’s.

I will do a check after easter. I think its original forks Gs650m katana. I have drained the oil from a smal screw at the bottom. Maybe I can fill oil back from the same with special tool.

The bike is in Norway.

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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by Geiros » Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:03 pm

Uncle Bob wrote:
pop-up wrote:Looks like ES forks with the anti-dive. Under the rubber should be an Allen key socket. 10mm IIRC.
No, the later GS650GD had the anti-dive as well and this is the later one as it has the 6 spoke wheel (unless that was changed for later type as well), so they could well still be original 650 forks. I'd probably go for the same air gap as in the PDF I attached, rather than quantity.

This bike is in Norway. I think that US exported a lot of this bikes to Europe.

Popup is right though, pop off the black caps and there should be the Allen Key Sockets underneath.

Are you in the UK? If so what is the reg number of your bike (or at least the letters) as I only ever saw one GD version and that was one I had imported from the states, so interested in if it was my old bike.

UB

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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by fossie » Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:10 pm

Using the little screw to drain them is not really a good idea, it will leave dirty fluid below and you will never be positive to have drained everything out , again leaving both forks uneven .....in that case why bother?
Where in Norway...? Love Norway Voss , Bardufoss, lovely roads exceptional tunnels.....and toll prices!

As UB says the 650M was a US model code and differs slightly from the rest of the world.....less things to adjust ....trust issue ...just saying.
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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by Uncle Bob » Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:26 pm

That was a good find Blix and explains things better.
I'm sure I remember a Hex socket in the top like Popup said, but that must have been another bike. That was one bike I wished I had kept, I got it at 10 years old as a Californian import with 1800 miles on it, it was like new. It was the silver and red colour - it's in the 650 Model Guide PDF Fossie put together.

I've had one trip to Norway on my SV650 back in 2003, rode up to and above the Artic Circle (when you could sail from Newcastle to Bergen). Lovely country but you don't want to get caught speeding...! Drink driving isn't an issue as you can't afford to drink :-D

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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by fossie » Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:37 pm

Good find and now we are all educated ....but as said US model....nothing adjustable ....just like their carbs, etc...
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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by Geiros » Sun Apr 21, 2019 7:03 pm

Thanks a lot. I just got home from vacation. I have taken some pictures and it is just as Blix showes in pictures from cms.
The only way to take the spring seat off is to dismantle the hole fork i think.
It look like I have to do the work. :oops:

I was hoping to drive 1.may. But think i have to delay it some weeks.
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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by fossie » Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:30 am

It will come out ,if you push down loosen clamp and dislodge the spring. But as said if that is what you intend .....don't bother you won't get the same amount in each fork, leaving you with what you have already.
If you have already drained out the oil , well you have no option but for future its best to ensure you have the means to refill before draining. ;)

The best way to get the best handling is get the air gap the same in each fork. But again best with forks out. :x
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Re: How to fill oil on front fork 1983 gs650 katana

Post by johnr » Mon Apr 22, 2019 9:56 pm

yes, ok, you spray it liberally with wd40,pop it on the centre stand then you put a socket on top of the cap and whack it with a hammer to break any rust seal. when you feel that its moving as it is hit, get a socket extension bar, and a small flat screwdriver, press the cap down, then whilst its held down, use the screwdriver to pop the spring clip out, when its out, lift slowly off and the spring will push the cap out of the fork top. done this before on a gs1000 so im guessing theyre similar forks.
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