AJS 350 1954, Maintenance Manual And Instruction Book, Page: 55 / 96

has no o t h e r source of escape but past this sleeve and the adjacent small metered bleed
hole.
This intentionally restricted passage causes a considerable damper effect to t h e
recoil action. It w i l l thus be gathered t h a t on the shock movement of the f o r k , slight
damper action occurs, w i t h a greatly increased damper action on the reverse movement,
both actions automatically increasing in effect the more violent the movement.
Before
concluding this description, it should be mentioned that upon a very violent impact, as a
result of which the main springs are almost fully compressed, the damping of t h e upward
movement of the sliders is intentionally increased by the automatically greatly restricted
passage f o r t h e displaced o i l , b r o u g h t about by the l o w e r ends of the main tubes encircling
the tapered enlarged ends of the damper tubes as the sliders near the l i m i t of their up-
w a r d movement.
Thus b o t t o m i n g is prev ent e d , no matte r how violent the impact. For
o r d i n a r y purposes the recommended oil c o n t e n t is 6½ ozs. (184·6 c.c.) each leg of one of
t h e S.A.E. 20 oils specified. To deal w i t h heavier loads than normal , the oil content may
be increased to a permissible maximum of 10 fluid ozs. (284 c.c.) per leg.
To increase
damping oil of heavier grade may be used. It w i l l be f o u n d , however, that f o r normal
purposes t h e recommended grade and quantity of oil w i l l give t h e most comfortable ride.
FRONT FORK " TOPPING UP "
N o part o f t h e T E L E D R A U L I C Front Fork requires individual lubrication, but i t i s
advisable to check the oil content, once every five thousand miles. The normal content
as already stated, is 6½ fluid ounces (184·6 c.c.) each side.
Support m o t o r cycle vertically w i t h weight on both wheels. A steady under each foot-
rest is t h e best method.
Unscrew the hexagonal plugs at t o p of f o r k inner tubes. These are on level w i t h handle-
bars and attached to t h e m are t h e damper rods. Have a graduated measure of not less
than 10 fluid ozs. capacity available in which to catch and measure the o i l . Remove the
drain plug f r o m the b o t t o m of a slider and catch t h e o i l which drains o u t . Then reinsert
drain plug and w o r k t h e t o p plugs to which damper rods are attached up and down
(pumping action), making upward strokes as violent as possible but using only fingers to
do so.
This pumping action is to eject any oil trapped in the damper tubes above the
damper disc valve. W a i t t w o minutes and again remove drain plug. Repeat the action
unt i l no f u r t h e r oil can be drained off w h e n , if t h e f o r k had the correct oil content, about
6 fluid ozs. (170·4 c.c.) w i l l have been drained off.
If less, add to make this quantity, or
reduce if an excess quantity has been drained off. N e x t refit drain plug and carefully
pour i n t o the t o p of the t u b e being checked exactly 6 fluid ozs. (170·4 c . c ) , after which
t h e t o p plug may be replaced.
N O T E — A l t h o u g h the normal oil content of each side is specified as 6½ fluid ozs., it is not
possible to drain all the oil via the drain plug. This explains the lesser quantity
of 6 fluid ozs. (170·4 c.c.) referred to above. However, if the f o r k is at any t im e
completely dismantled and t h e n reassembled in a d r y state, it should be noted
t ha t in t ha t event the correct quan t i t y of oil to add to each leg is 6½ fluid ozs.
(184·6 c . c ) .
TO REMOVE THE COMPLETE FRONT FORK ASSEMBLY
Support the machine with the front wheel clear of the ground. (A box, of suitable
height, under each footrest is the best method.)
Remove the front wheel as described in Wheel Section.
Remove the front stand and front mudguard.
Slaken the screw on headlamp top, gently prise out the rim and reflector assembly,
detach with a slight rotary and lifting movement the cap to which headlamp wires are
attached and take away rim and reflector assembly.
Gently ease back the rubber sleeves covering the pilot lamp wire snap connectors and
pull latter apart.
Remove the three screws securing switch panel and lift same off with all wires attached.
Remove the nuts on the tubular bolts through which the pilot lamp wires pass which
enables the pilot lamps and headlamp shell to be taken away.
Disconnect the driving cable from the speedometer head and detach the speedometer
lamp bulb with its holder.
Remove the two bolts securing speedometer head and take same away.
53