Thread: Fork Oil??

Is there anything special about this oil or can you use just a standard motor oil that is readily available at the auto parts store? Has anyone tried this and what weight of oil??

How about a 50-50 mix of 30w oil and ATF fluid? I can always change this out later, but just needed something to get me by temporarily and I have both of these already.

I would just buy a bottle of 10w or 15w Fork Oil...Then you would be safe and only do it once. Any motorcycle shop has it, dratv has it...not sure about auto parts stores.

A auto parts store will have MC fork oil.

Yea, you don't want to use motor oil in the fork, it's too viscous and will not behave properly. I was looking to increase the dampening in the stock fork with heavier oil and experimented with 30W motor oil put performance was poor and there was unacceptably high friction between the bushings and sliders.

A nice heavyweight fork oil like 20W works best in my opinion.

surprisingly alot of discount auto parts stores i have been to dont carry it, got mine from dratv but motorcycle and powersports stores should have it.

only use FORK OIL

I agree -use fork oil. You wont have to change it again for a very long time. I originally used 15w but changed it to 10w as I found the Dr atv springs a bit stiff and it did make a difference. I put about 95ml into each side.

i run 15w in my small hondas and 20wt in the dirt bikes...use fork oil only...what happens is foaming which is not good

ps: 10wt is fine too but you may find a little stiffer front end works best for you

I've used automatic transmission fluid in the forks of an old two stroke 750 Kawasaki years ago. Forks were kinda sticky thou, remember changing to 15 wt fork oil and all was good.

Originally Posted by snooter

i run 15w in my small hondas and 20wt in the dirt bikes...use fork oil only...what happens is foaming which is not good

ps: 10wt is fine too but you may find a little stiffer front end works best for you

Good advice. Thanks!