Fork oil vs riding style
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
I went from presumably never changed stock fork oil in my 11 limited to 15wt belray last summer.
Noticably more jarring ride (GoPro in the fairing mount is a no go now) on rough roads. Feels more planted to me when maneuvering though, and brake dive is MUCH less. Overall definite improvement. Gonna see of it stays this firm with more miles - if so will probably do a blend to go to something like 12.5wt on next change.
Noticably more jarring ride (GoPro in the fairing mount is a no go now) on rough roads. Feels more planted to me when maneuvering though, and brake dive is MUCH less. Overall definite improvement. Gonna see of it stays this firm with more miles - if so will probably do a blend to go to something like 12.5wt on next change.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 443
From: SETx
Sounds like a mix of 10/15 will get me where I'm wanting. I'm hearing of guys running up to 40w and 50w though. That has to be miserable. I'm 240lbs and the bike is not usually loaded real heavy but it's pretty much never empty. I bring tools and a tiny jump box everywhere I go.
So so it's looking like I'm about to tear down the forks, inspect wheel bearings, neck bearings (just by feel, not disassembling) inspect bushings, changing seals and oil. If it were closer to time for a tire I'd probably go ahead and do tires and fresh wheel bearings while I was there. The brakes also deserve a good inspection too.
So so it's looking like I'm about to tear down the forks, inspect wheel bearings, neck bearings (just by feel, not disassembling) inspect bushings, changing seals and oil. If it were closer to time for a tire I'd probably go ahead and do tires and fresh wheel bearings while I was there. The brakes also deserve a good inspection too.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
Caveat emptor with fork oil viscosity. There is no standard, so one's "10" might be the same as someone else's "30".
For example:
https://www.reddirtriders.com/storag...ensionoils.pdf
For example:
https://www.reddirtriders.com/storag...ensionoils.pdf
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I use the Harley branded fork oil. I mix standard weight and heavy duty weight at a 50/50 mix. I'm very happy and the slightly firmer ride works great in conjunction with my lowered front end.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,896
From: Oklahoma
Doubt that I am the first one to wonder about this, anyone KNOW the difference between fork oil and engine oil? In other words, is there anything in engine oil that would harm seals or valves in a fork? Fork oil seems to be single weight, you get more damping at 40 degree than at 100 degrees. Would something like 10W-30 engine oil make the ride more consistent over a wide range of temperature?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
I've got and had bikes that called for engine oil in the forks. It will work.
Many claim that fork oil has anti-foaming properties above and beyond motor oil. Perhaps true, perhaps not. I've never seen proof of the claim.
If you google the likes of "fork oil vs engine oil" you'll find many discussions and a few articles on the subject.
Many claim that fork oil has anti-foaming properties above and beyond motor oil. Perhaps true, perhaps not. I've never seen proof of the claim.
If you google the likes of "fork oil vs engine oil" you'll find many discussions and a few articles on the subject.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 476
Likes: 133
From: BlueGrass
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with motorcycle "brake diving". If you set your front end up so stiff that it does not lower/compress caring up 90% of the weight during hard braking, then you will have LESS traction not more!
Guys, 1000 pound bike shifts most of the weight to the front under hard braking, of course forks will compress to the max when you double the weight that they carry. Or even under normal decel weight goes to the front and forks have to compress to accommodate it.
This front end dive nonsense has to stop, please for the love of all that is holy. Again its normal.
To answer op question I find that synthetic ATF works a treat in forks and shocks. But do pay attention to level you fill them to, because amount of air that is left inside has big effect on how forks act.
Guys, 1000 pound bike shifts most of the weight to the front under hard braking, of course forks will compress to the max when you double the weight that they carry. Or even under normal decel weight goes to the front and forks have to compress to accommodate it.
This front end dive nonsense has to stop, please for the love of all that is holy. Again its normal.
To answer op question I find that synthetic ATF works a treat in forks and shocks. But do pay attention to level you fill them to, because amount of air that is left inside has big effect on how forks act.
Last edited by Cossack84; Mar 7, 2018 at 06:54 PM.