Whats the best way to change fork oil?

hi i have a 1981 xs 650 i want to change the fork oil in my bike it looks hard . i don't know how to put the bolt back in the top. with the spring pushing up on the bolt. its hard to get started back in .i put it on center stand to take off the weight. but it wont start. i hope you know what i am saying thanks to all for your help pop pop.Whats the best way to change fork oil?
Bike on the center stand

Floor jack under the front of the engine, to get the front wheel off the ground - that removes most of the tension of the spring.

I use a ';Sliding T-Handle'; - you can press down on the cap with both hands while trying to start the threads.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?

You can purchase one at any tool supply store - Snap-On is not necessary.



I put a Ratchet Adaptor in between the T-Handle and socket.

A Ratchet Adaptor is just a ratchet without the handle.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp

One side has a square drive for a socket, the other side has a female drive for a T-Handle.

It might be a little expensive for your needs.Whats the best way to change fork oil?
there is a screw in the bottom of the forks either under the axle or on the side of each fork .you will have to remove the drains you will have to remove the caps on the top of the forks but make shure the front forks and tire are off the ground if not the spring in the forks will slap you in the fase. as long as the forks are off the ground there will not be any tension on the spring but do not over fill get the ounces dealer recommends if you over fill you will blow the seals in time
yea, its tough to start the top spring bolt with the spring tension on it, and the threads are so fine and if you don't get it just right you will strip the threads

you have it right to take the weight of the bike off the front wheel, the trick I do is find something solid in the ground like a metal fence post that's in the ground with concrete and tie a rope, cable, or chain and tie the front wheel to it and have a friend pull up on the handlebars at the same time you push down and get the bolt started



see that hollow metal tube down inside the spring? its a 3/4'; tube, you can cut a piece of stiff copper tubing, or plastic water pipe and make the new piece 2 inches longer and it will extend your front forks by that much, that chopper look!, but the front suspension will be stiffer







edit: xxxdodge is INCORRECT

there IS spring tension on the top fork cap EVEN when the front wheel is off the ground!

there is spring tension, but not as much tension when the front wheel is off the ground

I read the whole question, I assumed you knew enough to have the front wheel off the ground.

xxxdodge didn't read the whole question, he assumed the person asking the question was stupid