Topic: What do you use for fork oil?

[Dunstall_74]

Been reading through some fork oil threads, and noticed guys are using 1 of three items.  I've heard branded motorcycle fork oil, motor oil, and ATF.  I've been thinking about giving the motor oil a try, but wanted to see what the collective knowledge on the forum had to say about it..........

What do you use, and what would you say are the benefits?

[BobbyR]

If you read the threads you will already know the collective wisdom. There is none. It is a matter of personal choice.

[Alan F.]

+1

[Dunstall_74]

Point taken.  Think I'll go with 10w30 motor oil.  Personal choice.

[Alan F.]

here's to ya man!

[BobbyR]

I personally went from ATF to 10-30 and it seems to be working out for me.

[axe]

FWIW, both the owner's and shop manuals recommend 10W30 motor oil.

[KRONUS0100]

10w-30 valvolene oil

[78CB750CAFE]

I use a 50/50 mix of Belray 10w and 15w fork oil

[bollingball]

bar's leak hydraulic jack oil and 10w30 50/50 works well on small leaks

[L.A. Nomad........]

Fork oil is expensive!

[Deltarider]

FWIW, both the owner's and shop manuals recommend 10W30 motor oil.

Where does it say motor oil?
I have always learned it should be ATF or Fork Oil.
BTW, haven't changed mine in decades.

[axe]

FWIW, both the owner's and shop manuals recommend 10W30 motor oil.

Where does it say motor oil?
I have always learned it should be ATF or Fork Oil.
BTW, haven't changed mine in decades.

I suppose it isn't explicitly referred to as "motor oil", but I don't know of any other oil with 10W30 viscosity.

Edit: I thought motor and fork oil were essentially the same, but after some googling it seems they aren't. Best stick to real fork oil.

[bruisedlee]

i went from half emptl reeeeeaaaalllllllllyyy old watery mystery stink oil to 15w fork oil.  pretty damn stiff!

[egar]

I use 50 percent pure virgin olive oil and 50 percent coconut oil. 

[underachiever]

I switched from cheap 10w30 that I put in last year when I rebuilt the fork to some very high quality synthetic ATF I had laying around that I was never otherwise going to use. Fluid level is a bit high so not quite getting full travel on the front end but can you say smoooooooooth.

[BobbyR]

There will never be a universal answer to this question. We all have different riding styles, road surfaces, and different amount of wear and tear on the fork innards. You find what works best for you and THAT is the perfect fork oil.

[cb650PK]

Oil from baby seals is said to be the best, in its absence whale oil or oil from dolphins can be used as substitute. They are Japanese bikes after all.

[seaweb11]

Oil from baby seals is said to be the best, in its absence whale oil or oil from dolphins can be used as substitute. They are Japanese bikes after all.

You missed baby oil

[dave500]

im using 20/60 motor oil,i tried atf and it was too soft,its a choice and riding style thing,mines firm.why not start with atf,and try going up grade by grade.itll take a day or two to get the feel you like.the forks will be nice and flushed by then aswell.

[cookindaddy]

The Honda service manual says ATF. I am sure any good hydraulic oil would do. Probably they don't want the additive chemicals in regular engine oil in the forks? I used Honda brand ATF and that was pretty expensive $8/liter and I only used about 1/4 of it.

[Doctor_D]

There is no viscosity standard for fork oils, so I tend to avoid them.  Motor oil has other additives that are unnecessary in suspension parts and the viscosity rating of motor oils isn't equal to the same rating for fork oils. http://www.peterverdonedesigns.com/lowspeed.htm

The good news is that suspension fluid, unlike fork oil, does have a viscosity standard and was designed for this type of application. I've used Redline Medium 10wt with success, and currently have Bel Ray HVI 15wt shock fluid in my Norton and CB750.

As for price, if $10-$20 every 3-4 years is a problem - one might have other things to worry about besides fork oil. 

[CycleRanger]

I used the oil from 92 tins of Anchovies.  I find it superior to even baby seal oil.

[cb550fcafe]

I used the oil from 92 tins of Anchovies. 

So you're the guy who filled my forks last time.  It smelled like an Anchovie's butt. Seriously the original oil smelled like dead fish. I use fork oil from the Honda parts shelf, can't remember the name but its 10wt.

[seaweb11]

I used the oil from 92 tins of Anchovies. 

So you're the guy who filled my forks last time.  It smelled like an Anchovie's butt. Seriously the original oil smelled like dead fish. I use fork oil from the Honda parts shelf, can't remember the name but its 10wt.

I think I read some where that originally they did use a fish oil at the factory for the forks.