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fork oil recommendation
- jon0108
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- Patton
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Good Luck!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- bountyhunter
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I want to change the fork oil in my 83 KZ750 LTD Shaft. The manual calls for 5W20 fork Oil. I went to the dealer and he said to use 10W fork oil. Now the springs feel mushy. Should I go with 20W fork oil? What is 5W20 fork oil equivalent to in a strait weight oil?
I used to know that a long time ago. I do remember I thought my forks were a bit soft and so I mixed some 30W motor oil about 50-50 into the fork oil and they got stiff enough to loosen my teeth.
Fork oil is a different kind of oil, I don't recommend using straight motor oil. They put seal conditioners and detergents in the fork oil as I recall.
One posted opinion:
Tried 10wt first - nice on pavement, too soft in the woods. Have 20wt in it now - a little harsh on pavement, but great off-road. I'd suggest trying to find some 15wt to start with if I were you. Not all the shops around here had it, but I did find it after stopping a couple places.
reference:
QUESTION FOUR: IS FORK OIL MEASURED BY THE SAE SCALE?
No. Fork oil weights are derived from the industrial standards used for hydraulic applications, called the Saybolt Seconds Universal (SSU). This measurement uses a similar viscometer arrangement as used to determine a cSt value, but grades the oil using a much more sensitive viscosity calibration scale.
www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.as...40CF833A439ACD16632F
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- 650ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- jon0108
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- coppertales
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1982 KZ1100 A2
1982 1100 SPECTRE
1982 1100 SPECTRE
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- rstnick
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I'm still looking for some, but will use the highest number (up to 30) I can find next time.
Rob
CANADA
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1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R
2005 z750s
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- bountyhunter
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thanks. I'll go with the 15w. I have belray 10w in it now, i guess its to light.
Just checked mine and was surprised to see it is PJ-1 20 "medium" fork oil, I thought I was running something lighter. It seems just right for street riding, I only weigh 165.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- bountyhunter
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2 or 3 seasoned Kawi riders have told me to use a 30 weight oil in the forks.
I'm still looking for some, but will use the highest number (up to 30) I can find next time.
30W fork oil here:
www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=4...56-A628-5B453572125C
Or, the Bel-Ray brand that costs twice as much:
www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=1...E7-9840-8F53A22012A7
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- jon0108
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