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Message started by sillydilly on 07/28/11 at 15:40:06

Title: Fork Oil?
Post by sillydilly on 07/28/11 at 15:40:06

Hey guys, just started putting my forks back together. got a couple of questions.

How much oil do I need to put in each shock?

exactly what kind of oil do I put in?

at what stage do I put it in?

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by verslagen1 on 07/28/11 at 22:25:00

441 ml /14.9 oz

Fork oil, I used 15 wt.

You can put it in just before you put the cap on.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by sillydilly on 07/29/11 at 10:20:34

so nothing fancy, 10w-30 would work?

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by bill67 on 07/29/11 at 10:39:39

Should use fork oil,Synthetic will give you smoother action.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by Boule’tard on 07/29/11 at 10:43:09

You should buy fork oil. But if you don't want to, you can get by with automatic transmission fluid.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by dasch on 07/29/11 at 11:51:28

My old suzuki GS' manual (1981) recommended a blend 50/50 of ATF and 10W40. I stick to that, in lack of fork oil.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by bill67 on 07/29/11 at 13:18:12

What weight ATF are you guys using.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by dv8savagerider on 07/29/11 at 13:21:12

I was at a bike show last night and overheard some guys talking about how they use bearing grease instead of fork oil- anyone heard of this?

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by verslagen1 on 07/29/11 at 13:32:16

get snotz

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by dasch on 07/29/11 at 13:35:59

Bill, I am not sure. It says Castrol ATF on the bottle, can't see the weight anywhere.

Bearing grease? Not quite certain how you pack it in there in that quantity... I had this Honda 15 yrs ago with slightly bent forks and we poured 90 grade differential oil in forks to stop the leak. It worked. suspension was actually just slightly stiffer than usual. Still runs. Never leaked since.

I read someplace that oil component is for friction and ATF is added because it contains anti-bubble (foam) additive. Can't vouch for either, but fact is, suzuki GS 550 manual states 50/50 ratio 10W40 and ATF.

Oh yeah, if you have fork oil available (I don't) - use it. Whatever is inside.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by verslagen1 on 07/29/11 at 14:21:50

Clymer says straight Dextron ATF or 15w fork oil.
Being that this is published and in service before a savage was ever...
It must be industry standard practice.
Only thing I can say is ATF is lighter than 15w.
I've also read that all oils degrade due to service any way and end up around 5w.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by T2 on 07/29/11 at 17:59:25

Fork oil also has a "seal sweller" that helps prevent leakage around the seal.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by dasch on 07/30/11 at 05:30:35

I think ATF does too. Or god knows. But if you have fork oil available - heck, use it. No need to improvise if you have a soultion on the shelf.

Title: Re: Fork Oil?
Post by Digger on 08/17/11 at 21:12:06

4A594E4F505D5B59520D3C0 wrote:

441 ml /14.9 oz......

Or, for my bike (see signature) at least, when the level is 75mm (2.95") from the top of the fork tube (when the fork tube is vertical and the spring is out). Here is my fork oil level gauge, btw:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/ForkOilLevelToolE.jpg

The Vice-Grips prevent the ruler from falling into the fork tube.

If you can't easily get the fork tube vertical, just measure the oil level in the middle of the tube.

IMHO, the level measurement method is a more accurate means of assuring the proper amount of fork oil is in the forks than is adding a measured amount of said oil.

Clear as mud?