How much fork oil goes in a 1981 Honda xl500s

J model 405cc
k,M and P models 466cc
S and T models 482cc

Oil level, measured from the top of the fork tube with the fork spring removed and the leg fully compressed..

J model 182mm
K,M and P models 123mm
S and T models 106mm

Oil type is stated as ATF

I guess that your bike is either an S or T model
Read more: http://www.visordown.com/forum/workshop/honda-ntv650-fork-oil/239264.html#ixzz3fdqFRRuc

I found this on a form on the internet. I hope this helps

4.9-5.3 oz per leg ATF so the Chiltons manual states. Equal amounts in both tubes.

Front Fork Oil cc (right leg):170
Front Fork Oil cc (left leg):170
Fork oil grade:10w
Valve Clearance Cold - Inlet:0.08
Valve Clearance Cold - Exhaust:0.08
Engine Oil Grade SAE:10w/30
Engine Oil Classification API:sg
Engine Oil quantity with filter (litres):0.9
Idle Speed (rpm):1400 - 1500
Spark Plugs Gap (mm):0.8 - 0.9
2 Stroke Tank - Litres:No
Float Height:14 mm

hi its been quite a while since i have done 1 of these but if the bike has the original forks on it i am sure you can do this without removing the complete fork of the bike, after suporting your bike you can chose to completely remove the fork if you wish, i would first try it without removing the complete fork first, remove front wheel, remove front mudguard and inner stabilizer, keep all bolts together in a safe place, you will need a clean container, to catch the fork oil,(TIP) if you catch all the oil and alow time for it to drip dry you can measure the amount of oil that was in the fork by pouring it from the container into a measuring jug, this will save time if you dont know the specific amount of oil required, to drain the oil you will need a suitable alun key to undo the fork leg/tube securing bolt, you will find this in the lower of the fork leg where the wheel spindle fits, turn the key anti clockwise to undo it, hopefully it will crack loose, if it just spins and doesnt undo you may need air tools to shake it loose, once the bolt is undone secure the fork leg and remove the bolt, the oil will then desperse from the fork, moving the fork lower slowley up and down will help rifle the oil out, make sure the sealing washer is on the bolt or you may have to fish around inside the old oil for it, when you are happy all of the oil has been removed, carefuly pull the fork leg down all the way until it comes of the stanchion, pour any oil into your container, if when you pull on the leg it does not come off this will be because the fork stanchion on your bike has bushes that are fited to it, and not to the lower leg, in this case you will have to remove the whole fork, remove, the dust cover from the fork leg inside you will see a circlip remove this and washer, remove cap from fork top and pour out your oil, and fork spring noteing direction , remove the lower bolt, fix the fork lower in a vice at the very bottom of the leg wher the flat area is, do not grip tubular area,then to remove the seal you will need to push down on the fork stancion to its lowest point, and sharply pull up useing the stancion as a hammer, repeat this untill your fork seal is removed, replace in reverse order, good luck hope this helps. paul

7 oz or 220cc for each fork leg of Dexron ATF or fork oil for the 1981 GL1100. ATF = 5 wt 10 wt or 15 wt is often used in bigger bikes.

Try draining a very small amount of oil from each fork leg, there should be a small screw at the bottom of each fork leg for draining oil. See if you can let out the same amount of oil from each leg, i would start with about 30ml from each one. Make sure the front wheel is jacked up off the ground, so the oil wont come out under to much pressure.
Apart from that, yes change the oil, but put less in, that will make it softer, its not so much the oil weight, but more so how much oil you put in, less for a softer ride.

lower for legs there should be a drain bolt for each leg do one side at a time.
Take the top fork cap off be careful the top cap is spring loaded get a pan to catch the oil,remove the drain bolt let it drain.reolace the drain bolt then you can add your new fork oil,check your owners manual for the proper amount and weight oil you need to replace, replace the fork cap.
repeat steps on the other fork.

The best way,is to drain a fork leg into a container, and measure the amount. however if you cant do that, start of with about 100ml in each leg, test them out, if to soft, you can always add a little more oil. from memory, a 250ml bottle of fork oil was enough to do both legs on most bikes.

If you want to change your fork oil, best way is to drain a fork leg into a container, and measure the amount that comes out. You can make your forks softer or harder by varying the amount of oil.