|   Fork Oil Questions | Titan
Oct 17, 2002 10:08 AM | | I feel pretty stupid aksin' these questions, but here goes...
If I need 5-weight oil for a fork oil change, can I use 5w-30, since my fork oil probably won't achieve the temperatures needed to change the viscosity during operation? Or will the multi-viscosity additives ruin the seals?
If I can't substitute and need real 5w fork oil, where do I get it over-the-counter? (But take the LBS out of the equation right now, because I'm not going to pay $15-$20 for 16 oz of the stuff. I'd rather order online or not even service the fork on principle alone.) I haven't seen fork oil in the local auto parts shops and I'm not a motorcycle guy, so I'm not sure if I can walk in and expect the local Harley shop to carry it.
Thanks for the help! |
| re: Fork Oil Questions | youknowwho
Oct 17, 2002 10:17 AM | | i just got a litre bottle of 10wt oil from maxima directly for 10 bucks. check them out at http://www.maximausa.com/products/suspension/forkfluid.asp
im pretty sure fork oil and motor oil are pretty different...motor oil as all kinds of detergents in it amongst other things. |
| re: Fork Oil Questions | jsarcione
Oct 17, 2002 11:56 AM | | Buy Golden Spectro Cartridge motorcycle fork oil from your local motorcycle shop. Make sure you buy the cartridge oil because it is non-foaming. 125/150 is about 7.5 weight I think. It is usually about $11 - $12 a quart. I have been using it in my Z1 for a while now and my LBS also uses it. |
| Don't use motor oil.... | AndyH
Oct 17, 2002 12:37 PM | | ...go to your local motorcycle shop and check out their selection of shock oil. I'd try a shop that carries several brands of motorcycles, versus a shop that carries one brand (Harley, BMW, etc.). My local shop had several different brands in several different weights.
Worse comes to worse, I'd order some online...lots of online shops that sell motorcycle fork oil. Do a Google search and you'll turn up a ton. |
| Be ABSOLUTELY sure | NoSpode
Oct 17, 2002 2:18 PM | | You buy an oil with no seal conditioners or "sweller's" this causes just what the label says, swelling of the seals, which can lead to a lot of stiction. |
| Thanks! | Titan
Oct 17, 2002 4:08 PM | | Yeah, I'll drop the motor oil idea. That Maxima site listed a lot of dealers in my area, so I have no excuse for not finding a well-stocked "motorcycle shop". |
| I use regular $1.75 autotransmission oil, similar to red rum | andyx
Oct 17, 2002 4:21 PM | | and has been working fine on all 4 of my bikes. When you more than 2 bikes to service, you find way to save money or else. |
| ATF is not Red Rum | Cosmo
Oct 18, 2002 5:07 AM | | Transmission oil and Red Rum only have color in common. Most ATFs are 7.5 wt, Red Rum is around 50. Red Rum is a lube-not a damper oil. |
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