Fork Oil Question

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12 Jan 2006 18:11 #17575 by KevZ
Fork Oil Question was created by KevZ
My service manual states to use 10W 40 oil in my forks. When I look at Z1Enterprises website for stuff, they list 15W and 20W Fork Oil, which I assume are straight weight oil. I am not sure what I need to use when I replace the oil in my forks? Do we have any fork experts on the site that can set me straight?

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12 Jan 2006 18:31 #17586 by hydrolazer
Replied by hydrolazer on topic Fork Oil Question
what kind of bike do you have?

\'79 kaw 1000 ltd

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12 Jan 2006 20:01 #17611 by wireman
Replied by wireman on topic Fork Oil Question
ive allways just used goog ol 10-40 and never had any problems!goodluck,happy wrenching!

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13 Jan 2006 03:34 #17648 by KevZ
Replied by KevZ on topic Fork Oil Question
what kind of bike do you have?

I have a 1981 KZ1100. It is listed in my signature.


If 10W 40 is sufficient for the forks, is Fork Oil a gimmick?

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13 Jan 2006 07:24 #17687 by patmann
Replied by patmann on topic Fork Oil Question
Write or call and talk to Jeff @ Z1. He would rather ride a Harley than steer you wrong ;) This is what he does for a living and it's a LOVE of his ( what a lucky guy ).
I am using PJ-1 10 weight in my Z1 forks, but I'm also using Progressive front fork springs. So I don't want too stiff a ride.
Pat

1974 900 Z1 modified to look like a LTD , some engine mods. But I still have all the original parts.
1977 1000 project bike
1972 H1 project bike
If pro is opposite of con, then what is the opposite of progress?

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13 Jan 2006 19:37 #17790 by hydrolazer
Replied by hydrolazer on topic Fork Oil Question
my clymer calls for 10w non detergent oil

\'79 kaw 1000 ltd

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14 Jan 2006 05:38 #17833 by Jeff.Saunders
Replied by Jeff.Saunders on topic Fork Oil Question
We only have 10w and 15w in stock. 20w is too darned thick for most bikes. Most fork oil is just single weight these days - although you can get multi-weight fork oil it's tougher to find and tends to be for the dirt or racing bikes.

Each model is a little different in it's requirements - and the total weight on the bike can influence your choice. What may seem like stiff forks for a 150lb rider may be too soft for a 250lb rider.

You want to make sure you use a non-foaming fork oil - this will be more consistent over bumpier roads

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14 Jan 2006 08:38 #17850 by FireBurst
Replied by FireBurst on topic Fork Oil Question
I heard somewhere about using auto transmission oil. Anybody ever try this?

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14 Jan 2006 14:05 #17887 by arobsum
Replied by arobsum on topic Fork Oil Question
wireman wrote:

ive allways just used goog ol 10-40 and never had any problems!goodluck,happy wrenching!

you use regular 10-40 in the forks? how does it work? handle ok?

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14 Jan 2006 18:33 #17934 by wireman
Replied by wireman on topic Fork Oil Question
ive allways used it ,i used to like to see how long i could stand on the back wheel when i was younger and more fearless,never had any problems with smashed header tubes seemed to do the trick for me!goodluck,happy wrenching!

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15 Jan 2006 10:56 #18003 by baldy110
Replied by baldy110 on topic Fork Oil Question
I have used ATF in the old days before anyone made fork oil. All I can say about it is it worked. Not well but that was all we had back then.

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16 Jan 2006 10:45 #18136 by 1973Z
Replied by 1973Z on topic Fork Oil Question
I put automatic transmission fluid, 10-W I think, in my forks years ago and installed fork boots (gaiters) on the tubes. Since then I have never had a fork seal go bad and after sitting for years and years before running again, the front suspension works just fine. Why we changed to transmission fluid I don't know and can't remember, it was a new fad at the time, like the brand new DOT 5 brake fluid or the unheard of practice of turning on your headlight. I do recall the shock of seeing how bright an H-4 halogen headlight could be, they were just coming in to vogue. Funny how things change over more than 30 years. Back then we were still getting used to mandatory helmet laws.

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