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I was over on Cliffs Website checking a few things in the GS 1000 service manual and noticed in one of those info blocks on the page that it stated fork oil...SAE 10w20. I use the 50/50 30wt and tranny fluid recipe myself. Just thought this was interesting.
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MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550
NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.
I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it. -
Why use anything other than fork oil? That's what it's for. That's what I use. -
My local Suzuki dealer told me years ago to use ATF; that it was about 15 wt. and has detergents that keep the internals clean. That's what I have been using successfully for at least 20 yrs.Originally posted by TheCafeKid View PostComment
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I used atf in most of dirt bikes ages ago and found it worked well. I might try it on a bigger bike if I get ambitious.Originally posted by JJ View Post1981 gs650L
"We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben FranklinComment
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I've also been using ATF in my forks for quite a while.Originally posted by JJ View Post
2000 Honda Valkyrie Tourer (it's gone)
1985 Suzuki Madura GV1200
2 X 1980 Suzuki GSX1100ETs (next projects)
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ATF is 15w? That seems a bit harsh to me. I seem to recall that I have 10w fork oil in mine, and I might mix in some 5w next time.Dogma
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O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! - David
Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. - Carl Sagan
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'80 GS850 GLT
'80 GS1000 GT
'01 ZRX1200R
How to get a "What's New" feed without the Vortex, and without permanently quitting the VortexComment
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Josh...dont know what dealers in Ohio charge, but last bottle i looked at on a shelf while waiting to see the parts guys said $16.00..me thinks NOT!!!!! A QT ofm oil and a QT of ATF is around 7 bucks and youre making up a half gallon...much more economical and just as the service manual recipies say to do.MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550
NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.
I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.Comment
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OK. I have never researched the viscosity. I just took their word for it. Whatever it is, it has worked well for me over the years.Originally posted by rustybronco View Post
Of course, one of the first things I do with older bikes is replace the front springs if they are out of spec, along with the rear shocks, if they are used up. I think I have bought ONE used bike out of a dozen or so that hasn't needed suspension upgrades.Last edited by Guest; 02-15-2012, 04:50 AM.Comment
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I bought 10wt for about $11 but even though that is still a rip off... I have enough to change the fork oil again. The stuff I used (Bel-Ray) says it is anti foam and friction modifiers. Also fork oils can be gotten in a wide viscosity range.Originally posted by chuck hahn View Post
IMO there are things to save money on and things that one should splurge on. Engine oil and suspension fluid should be things you should splurge on. Greases, chain lube and generic oil for cables and levers aren't really as important as they are consumable and often contaminated by the elements anyway.Comment
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I have always used either PJ1 or Belray fork oils 30wt. Just my preference, I like a stiff front end lol. Though seriously, my stock front end has no adjustments what so ever and the heavier oil helped it big time. Now that I am about to swap it out for an 1100 adjustable front end may rethink the wt of the oil don't know yet. Just bought a 16oz bottle of PJ1 30wt, cost $8.00. Found a couple of older bottles of 30wt I had laying around, one was for $6.75 (PJ1) and the other was about $12 (Belray 32oz 30 wt)Last edited by mrbill5491; 02-15-2012, 11:30 AM.sigpicMrBill Been a GSR member on and off since April 2002
1980 GS 750E Bought new in Feb of 1980
2015 CAN AM RTS
Stuff I've done to my bike:dancing: 1100E front end with new Sonic springs, 1100E swing arm conversion with new Progressive shocks installed, 530 sprockets/chain conversion, new SS brake lines, new brake pads. New SS fasteners through out. Rebuilt carbs, new EBC clutch springs and horn installed. New paint. Motor runs strong.Comment
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There are friction modifiers in ATF, it also has anti-foaming properties, plus seal conditioners, is a high detergent oil and can be blended with engine oils to provide differing viscosities.Originally posted by razor02097 View PostComment
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ATF isn't kind to all rubber seals... I see no advantage to run detergents in fork oil.
I'm just wondering why someone would go through the trouble and extra expense of purchasing ATF + engine oil then mixing them to try to to get the right viscosity when a product engineered to actually go into suspension systems is available for a little more?Comment
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Razor..then the engineers that wrote the service manual stating the 50/50 mix are all wrong then and suggest using what will quickly deteriorate the fork seals....right?MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550
NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.
I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.Comment
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In my particular case the 20 wt non detergent engine oil was available at my local grocery store, I had the Dexron III ATF at home on the shelf and when mixed 50/50 it gave me 64 oz of fork oil for around $7.
Odd... the factory recommends a blend of ATF and engine oil that can be used in forks.ATF isn't kind to all rubber seals... I see no advantage to run detergents in fork oil.Comment
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