Topic: 78 cb550 fork oil? And Capacity?

[evopgt]

I ordered some new seals and dust covers. I'm gonna be taking them apart and cleaning them all out, and replacing the seals.  What kind of oil is best and how much goes in each fork??

[CycleRanger]

You should jump over here and grab the shop manual.
http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/shop-manual

It says 165-170 cc to fill dry forks.

As far as oil, well I'm sure you'll get several suggestions.
I use Bel-Ray 15wt.

[strynboen]

yes 10 to 15 vaight fork  oil..is the easy vay
atf transmision fluid can do the job(..its a bit thin for old forks)..so i use to blend it vith hydralik oil(a bit thikker) to get a perfekt damping...takes some test to get it perfekt..

[ekpent]

 Not that I am suggesting it but while I have been working on a 1975 CB550 I have seen a lot of old info, manuals etc to say 5.4oz of 10x30 weight oil. Must of been the deal 'back in the day'.

[CycleRanger]

Not that I am suggesting it but while I have been working on a 1975 CB550 I have seen a lot of old info, manuals etc to say 5.4oz of 10x30 weight oil. Must of been the deal 'back in the day'.

The original capacity listed in the manual for K0-K1 is listed as 5.3-5.6 oz of Honda ATF.
Above I listed the later capacity that is listed in the supplement for the F and it also says ATF.

[uksparky]

I tried trans fluid made it too bouncy..went with fork oil 10w...ok now..........6oz each fork

[BallAquatics]

It's easy enough to change, play around until you find what works best for you.  I've used ATF, 5w, 10w, 15w fork oil, currently running 5w20 oil from TSC in my '74 CB550.

Dennis

[ekpent]

It's easy enough to change, play around until you find what works best for you.  I've used ATF, 5w, 10w, 15w fork oil, currently running 5w20 oil from TSC in my '74 CB550.

Dennis

I assume TSC is Tractor Supply Store ?

[BallAquatics]

I assume TSC is Tractor Supply Store ?

Yes, it is.  I was checking out their hydraulic oil and just picked up a quart of the 5w20 on a whim.

Dennis

[Deltarider]

78 cb550, what model is that? F2? K3? Why not have a look in the Owner's Manual? You find them here: http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/libretti-uso-a-manutenzione

[TwoTired]

My manuals are 700 miles away.  But, note that the 77-78 fork lowers are different than prior models, and take a different fork oil capacity as a consequence.

Something between 10-15 wt oil is what I prefer.  I know that both ATF and labeled fork oil have anti-foaming agents blended.  As the oil is forced through small orifices to provide damping action, air bubbles just don't behave as predictably as oil.

Cheers,

[Bankerdanny]

I used 15wt fork oil in my '77K when I had that and also in my current '75 550F as I am a heavy guy (about 240#). If gravity is easier on you then you might consider a 10wt.

[Deltarider]

Front legs varied over the different models CB500-550.
In my CB500K2 (ED), that has the same legs as the CB550K2, I use ATF as prescribed. It's 7,5W and I use a bit less than prescribed: 140-145cc.

[strynboen]

yes overfilling make it stone hard..no matter the sae number..so be care to fill the korrekt..level for your modell

[Bankerdanny]

I bought a cheap plastic measuring cup that I use to refill the legs after a seal change.

[Deltarider]

yes overfilling make it stone hard..no matter the sae number..so be care to fill the korrekt..level for your modell

I know, I once filled with 160cc as prescribed for the CB500 and it was stone hard. Later I found out my model has the same legs as the CB550K2, so now I fill with less.