front fork oil?????

[bigmac7139]

ordered a set of front fork springs, currently going through the rebuild, and overall cleaning of the bike, and was wondering what fork oil everyone uses on their's. i know when watching one of carl's videos he stated using 10w, just wondering what kind anyone has had luck with?

[Gator Mike]

Carl suggested using Bel ray and that's what I'm using. I changed oil last year and it seems to be working great, atleast the part that's leaking past the seals looks great . Yeah I had the Kawi dealer replace the seals a couple of years ago and they are blown again. Told me they did a complete job but I'm thinking they didn't do anything with the shims. They have since gone out of business --guess that says something. Anyway I'm doing it myself this time and I'm going back with Bel ray. Just my 2 cents.........Gator Mike

[HMB Don]

I use Amsoil 10# cost $10.00 per quart and one qt will be enough for a 1200. When fork seals began leaking, it can be caused by worn fork bushings, pits in the fork tubes, dryed bugs on the fork tubes. But poor workmanship is the worst of all problems.

When you redo the fork seals, look at those fork seals, real close, what you find or don't find will tell you the problem. But what ever you do replace the fork bushings, cost will be $40 to $50 for all four plus the cost of the new seals.

Don Medina

[Hip001]

What is a fork bushing?

[gearheadfla]

The brass collars on the end of the top fork tube and another one just under the upper seal are the bushings, they keep everything aligned as the fork slides up and down. In this pic they are on the end of the upper fork tubes.

[glich54]

I have used regular (cheap) Automatic Transmission Fluid in the forks on every bike I have owned in past 35 years. Seems to work just fine...no premature seal problems....I believe it's ~10W-15W..(I have tried the expensive "fork oil" a few times, or when it was in the bike when I bought it and really couldn't tell the difference)...

[Winddancer]

I have used regular (cheap) Automatic Transmission Fluid in the forks on every bike I have owned in past 35 years. Seems to work just fine..

Ooooh boy... your going to crash and burn just like I am with my car tire.. hahahaha..
Actually I use ATF in my rear shocks right now, just to test the difference, so far so good... :)

[Mr Jensee]

I've used Honda 10w Fork oil with no problems.

[SgtSlag]

Honda specified Dexron ATF (ranges from version III through VI -- all are backwards compatible), which is supposed to be equivalent to 8W. I bought expensive 15W Fork Oil, paid $15/quart, but next time, I will be using Dexron V ATF, for $5/quart. The 15W seems to be very stiff, and I am not happy with its performance. YMMV. Cheers!

[gearheadfla]

Honda 15w under advise of Carl, mostly 2 up riding, I tip 290 and pass. around 135. (sorry Lori)