Anyone removed the adjustable damper?

Philb714

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Hereford, England
Has anyone removed the adjuster on the bottom of the fork legs? (Manual makes no reference to it that I can find).
View attachment 72618
I want to do a quick fork oil change & rather than take the forks off I wondered if I could drain the fluid out the bottom Via the adjuster (measuring the amount drained) & then top it up.
Thanks.
 

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~TABASCO~

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Hello,

No, the screw shown in the picture is the compression adjuster and does not come out. The screw on the very bottom holds the damping rod. You will get some oil out of it but it wont all drain out. The fork needs to be pulled and then turned upside down and drained. Depending on how many miles are on your bike you might consider pulling the fork down (taking it all apart) and really cleaning all the black junk out of it. Just give it a good internal cleaning and wipe it all out. (this does not include disassembling the internal cartridge)
Another hint, depending on miles, the Super Tenere is pretty hard on guides. I always suggest that with an oil change at 20-30K miles replacing the guides. And while your in there just replace the wipers and seals. If you have it taken apart already.
 

Philb714

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Joined
Jun 28, 2020
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Location
Hereford, England
Thanks for the reply Tabasco... as the adjuster body on the bottom of the fork had some flats on the sides I thought that they would undo so letting the fork oil out...
image.jpg
Forks off it is then...
 

Kenack

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Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
69
Location
Largo, FL
Hello,

No, the screw shown in the picture is the compression adjuster and does not come out. The screw on the very bottom holds the damping rod. You will get some oil out of it but it wont all drain out. The fork needs to be pulled and then turned upside down and drained. Depending on how many miles are on your bike you might consider pulling the fork down (taking it all apart) and really cleaning all the black junk out of it. Just give it a good internal cleaning and wipe it all out. (this does not include disassembling the internal cartridge)
Another hint, depending on miles, the Super Tenere is pretty hard on guides. I always suggest that with an oil change at 20-30K miles replacing the guides. And while your in there just replace the wipers and seals. If you have it taken apart already.
I need to do a fork service I guess, got 60k miles on my 2015 ES and haven't service forks or shock at all but it's never been off road, just mainly long distance trips. What weight oil for a 210 lb rider and what are guides? I find the suspension excellent as it is but sure I've grown used to it. I ride with it set with 2 helmets on soft +2 and it's great. If I get real sporty I'll add the luggage to really raise it and stiffen it for the twistees.
 

~TABASCO~

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I need to do a fork service I guess, got 60k miles on my 2015 ES and haven't service forks or shock at all but it's never been off road, just mainly long distance trips. What weight oil for a 210 lb rider and what are guides? I find the suspension excellent as it is but sure I've grown used to it. I ride with it set with 2 helmets on soft +2 and it's great. If I get real sporty I'll add the luggage to really raise it and stiffen it for the twistees.
Long story short. Probably 7.5W

I would suggest new springs as well. The stock ones don’t last that long. Order new ones from Sonic Spring. If you have any other questions just let me know.
Guides are four metal circles that the tubes ‘ride’ against. The upper and lower are different. On many bikes you basically never need to replace them. On the Tenere, the Tenere is hard on guides. I always suggest just replacing them if your deep inside the forks. Save yourself time- money in the future. Just worth it, I’ve worked on a Ton of Tenere forks. Thanks
 
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