Heavier fork oil on a 48. Which one?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Sweden
Heavier fork oil on a 48. Which one?
Hi
I would like to reduce the level of "dive" when breaking on my 48. Was thinking of replacing the fork springs out for some progressive springs. But then I thought I'd try and get a good result from just changing the fork oil for a heavier one.
Those of you who've done this which one did you use and what's your take on it?
The org oil is 10wt If I remember correctly. If I go for the SE 15wt will that be a big difference and an improvement? Or shoud I try the SE heavy 20wt?
Btw I'm always riding solo and rarely have a passenger on.
I would like to reduce the level of "dive" when breaking on my 48. Was thinking of replacing the fork springs out for some progressive springs. But then I thought I'd try and get a good result from just changing the fork oil for a heavier one.
Those of you who've done this which one did you use and what's your take on it?
The org oil is 10wt If I remember correctly. If I go for the SE 15wt will that be a big difference and an improvement? Or shoud I try the SE heavy 20wt?
Btw I'm always riding solo and rarely have a passenger on.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
I can't speak for the shocks on a 48 but here is what we are doing with air shocks on SG. They come with 5 wt SHOCK OIL! Not motor oil. We found Amsoil 10 wt shock oil on the internet and replaced the lighter stuff. Instead of running 25 PSI in the shocks we now run 7 PSI and have eliminated the bottoming out of the shocks on the rear.
My guess is that if you go 5 wt higher you will have changed the shock hydraulic action sufficiently enough to eliminate most of the shock compression problem you now have.
That is what I would try....it will not cost an arm and a leg...It's up to you...Good Luck.
My guess is that if you go 5 wt higher you will have changed the shock hydraulic action sufficiently enough to eliminate most of the shock compression problem you now have.
That is what I would try....it will not cost an arm and a leg...It's up to you...Good Luck.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Sweden
I can't speak for the shocks on a 48 but here is what we are doing with air shocks on SG. They come with 5 wt SHOCK OIL! Not motor oil. We found Amsoil 10 wt shock oil on the internet and replaced the lighter stuff. Instead of running 25 PSI in the shocks we now run 7 PSI and have eliminated the bottoming out of the shocks on the rear.
My guess is that if you go 5 wt higher you will have changed the shock hydraulic action sufficiently enough to eliminate most of the shock compression problem you now have.
That is what I would try....it will not cost an arm and a leg...It's up to you...Good Luck.
My guess is that if you go 5 wt higher you will have changed the shock hydraulic action sufficiently enough to eliminate most of the shock compression problem you now have.
That is what I would try....it will not cost an arm and a leg...It's up to you...Good Luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 521
From: USA
If you go to a heavier oil, not only will you slow compression, but also rebound dampening.
Only you'll know if you like that.
I'd try the 15 before the 20.
You can also experiment with increased oil level to reduce dive.
Only you'll know if you like that.
I'd try the 15 before the 20.
You can also experiment with increased oil level to reduce dive.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
Yes I am aware of that. My point was that it makes no difference front or rear...the resulting change to 10 wt oil will give the same result. I.E. the front forks are a shock.... Good Luck.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Sweden
thanks man! Think I'll go for 10wt at first if that's no good then I'll just try 15wt...Thanks guys for your replies!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
I'm hard on front brakes, as a matter of fact I use rear brake only in slippery conditions or when I have to brake hard while leaning over. I found adding a 3/4" spacer to stock spring and switching to 7W Bel-Ray created a perfect setup for me. In case you didn't know, stock springs are progressive, too. It is just a matter of preload on springs. I tried with 1" spacers first and it was too stiff.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
Your dive will be reduced by two things... spring rate and preload. Those are most easily adjusted by the AMOUNT of oil in the forks, not the weight. adding spring spacers also does the same thing. Changing to a dual rate spring is another option.
Changing oil weight only affects the damping... or the speed at which the forks compress and rebound.
Changing oil weight only affects the damping... or the speed at which the forks compress and rebound.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Sweden
I'm hard on front brakes, as a matter of fact I use rear brake only in slippery conditions or when I have to brake hard while leaning over. I found adding a 3/4" spacer to stock spring and switching to 7W Bel-Ray created a perfect setup for me. In case you didn't know, stock springs are progressive, too. It is just a matter of preload on springs. I tried with 1" spacers first and it was too stiff.
Thanks again!