another fork oil question...

ok, did some research and am more confused than before i started...

need to replace the fork seals on my '84 KZ550-F2 (with air assisted damping) - which will obviously require fresh fork oil.
Manual states SAE 5W-20, which, from what i am reading, is not so readily available anymore.
here is where I get confused...
Some of you claim to use ATF instead, but nobody is saying which type - dexron or type F? or am i missing something???

alternatively, will hydralic oil of a similar weight work???

or am I stuck paying 3 times the money for "Fork Oil"????

Thanks in advance.

Ride Safe!

I just replaced the stuff the last owner had in mine
(stinky nasty stuff)with some 10w30 and i think that it's kind of soft
ATF would be very soft,if your forks have drain bolts
in them try till you like it,but it's a little messy
some ATF will work for Dextron or F type

i appreciate the response baldtires...

no one else wants to chime in here??? come on guys...really need to get the seals done asap and would like to do it once and be done with it (more time for riding), it's kind of a pain to drain and refill when ya have a windshield on and you have to remove it and the handlebars to get to the fork tops....

check this link out;)

i found that thread, as well as several others - but nobody says which type of ATF - "Dexron" or "F" - there is a difference between the two.

heartless wrote:

i found that thread, as well as several others - but nobody says which type of ATF - "Dexron" or "F" - there is a difference between the two.

Yep there is a difference, a difference in the additive package, but it has nothing to do with using it in the forks.
Personally I would try 10w engine oil first, and if that was not enough damping then try 15w. I have not checked in a while but I think both are still available.

Why not try readily available 10W fork oil. That's what I use and is specced for the KZ550-M1 and F1 measured 416mm ± 2mm below the top of the inner tube.

sent you a pm on this as I just did my F2.

I used dexron in my CSR 1000 when I changed the seals and it works fine for me.
be sure to use a plastic baggie (not ziploc type) over the end of the fork tube to protect the seal when slipping it down over the tube.