Topic: CB77 fork oil question

[Scott]

Hi there

I read that the CB77 fork oil is "white spindle oil" and 220cc

Can anybody translate that to what I may be able to buy at the local bike shop.

Thanks for your time
Scott

[Bankerdanny]

From the IPOL lubricant's site:

IPOL WHITE SPINDLE OIL   
IPOL White Spindle Oil are high purity White mineral oil fractions, which are colourless, odourless and inert.

IPOL White Spindle Oil is a low viscosity transparent oily liquid free from fluorescence by day light.

I would just get fork oil, 10wt should be fine. It is a clear light oil that matches the description here.

[Scott]

Thanks for that.

I was thinking if I couldn't work it out I would end up using fork oil.

[scottly]

Supposedly the fork oil Honda used originally was sperm whale oil. At one time, Honda suggested 10/30 motor oil as a replacement, then changed that to ATF. I was at the local Honda shop last week, and the salesman talked me into Honda 10 weight fork oil. It's a lot more expensive than ATF; like $9 for a pint, but as frequently as it gets changed the price for proper fork oil isn't that bad.  

[Scott]

Mmm whale oil

[Bodi]

I don't think whale oil was used, it was too expensive. Some was used as aerospace and limited slip differential lube back then but the whales were near extinction and only some critical uses would need the oil. Definitely nobody without a serious dislike for their money would use it in a lamp!
I remember draining the original fork oil from those bikes, it smelled more like fish oil. Just use fork oil. With SAE10 you should be good, if they are too stiff mix 5 and 10 about 50/50. Same if not enough damping, mix in some 15 or 20.
High mileage forks may be a bit worn and need thicker oil to get good damping.

[bill440cars]

I don't think whale oil was used, it was too expensive. Some was used as aerospace and limited slip differential lube back then but the whales were near extinction and only some critical uses would need the oil. Definitely nobody without a serious dislike for their money would use it in a lamp!
I remember draining the original fork oil from those bikes, it smelled more like fish oil. Just use fork oil. With SAE10 you should be good, if they are too stiff mix 5 and 10 about 50/50. Same if not enough damping, mix in some 15 or 20.
High mileage forks may be a bit worn and need thicker oil to get good damping.

           Have to check this out, when I get to the point of dealing with CB77 forks. 

[martin99]

Supposedly the fork oil Honda used originally was sperm whale oil.

You sure that's not meant to be 'whale sperm oil'? If that's the case, $9 a pint seems very reasonable to me 

[MoMo]

mystery question of life-how does one go about collecting whale sperm oil? 

[bill440cars]

       

mystery question of life-how does one go about collecting whale sperm oil? 

       Personally, I don't even want to go there.  (Now I need a "Smiley" with it's hands over it's eyes.  Moving right along. 

[Don R]

 I purchased posi lube for my 69 firebird with whale oil in it. Still have the can, for some reason I found it in my dads garage a few years ago and kept it on the shelf with other old things.

[Old Scrambler]

Whale oil is excellent for preserving and sealing the rubber seals and cushions in various mechanical devices. Regarding the correct amount in a CB77 leg..............220cc's seems correct but only for one style of leg. I cannot remember and my books are a few miles away from my computer, but the capacity of the steel legs (type I) vs aluminum legs (type II) is different. I tend to use 15w ATF in forks with used internals. Lots of good info on the forum at honda305.com