fork oil substitutes?

  • Frankn9
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fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 01:52
#428304
does anyone use anything other than "fork oil" in their forks? I've heard things like automatic transmission fluid, and synthetic motor oil. any thoughts?

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  • andy9802gt
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 02:17
#428305
I use sausage gravy:cheer:
'78 KZ1075 LTD
stage 1 head by Larry Cavanaugh
race built crank by John Pearson
Mikuni rs34's
k410 cams
back cut tranny
8" over D&G swinger
proving once again that age and treachery is better than youth and enthusiasm

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  • PLUMMEN
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 02:19
#428306
i used 10w40 dyno bones for years because i dont like the 10w fork oil.
have been using 10w30 synthetic motor oil now for about 6-7 years and it seems to be a good happy medium between the stiff riding 40w and the fork botteming 10w in my experiance anyway.
bring on the ase engineers! :laugh:
Still recovering,some days are better than others.

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  • 650ed
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:13 - 04 Feb 2011 07:17
#428350
I use fork oil in the motor and motor oil in the forks. I fill my battery with brake fluid and fill my brake master cylinders with battery acid. For some reason the bike runs funny. Next time I'll try battery acid in the motor, motor oil in the battery, fork oil in the brake master cylinders, and brake fluid in the forks. I'm quite sure that will be a better combination. ;)

BTW, if you decide to use fork oil you can mix any of the different weights of Bel-Ray Fork Oil to fine tune the forks from very light to very heavy or anywhere in between to suit your particular riding style, weight, etc.
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Last edit: 04 Feb 2011 07:17 by 650ed.

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  • Kickstand
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:18
#428352
PLUMMEN wrote:
i used 10w40 dyno bones for years because i dont like the 10w fork oil.
have been using 10w30 synthetic motor oil now for about 6-7 years and it seems to be a good happy medium between the stiff riding 40w and the fork botteming 10w in my experiance anyway.
bring on the ase engineers! :laugh:

+1. Run the same in a GS1000 and a R75/5. No issues at all.
1978 Kawi Z1R
1977 HD XLCR
1970 Bultaco 360 El Montadero
1978 Suzuki GS1000
1966 BMW R50/2

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  • Patton
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:31
#428360
Frankn9 wrote:
does anyone use anything other than "fork oil" in their forks? I've heard things like automatic transmission fluid, and synthetic motor oil. any thoughts?

Including information about bike year and model may elicit better responses. And it's easy to put in your signature where it will automatically appear in posted messages.
When done, the signature information appears in all posts, past and future. And may be changed as often as desired.

Here's how to do it:
Click here > kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...d=8&id=382004#382317

FSM usually specifies type of oil to use in the forks.

Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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  • TerryK
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:33
#428361
The way I see it, why use anything other than the recommended product? The factory designed the parts to use a specific oil and thats good enough for me. Other than cost, I see no reason to change.
1977 KZ1000
GSXR swingarm and rear brake
WM6 rear Akront rim
Wiseco 1075c pistons
33 smoothbores
stage 3 Web Cams
Head porting
Dyna S ignition
Lockhart oil cooler
Wiseco header



1980 Z1R drag bike
1200cc
38 Flatslides, .
500' cams
7" slick
Dyan 4000 SP ignition
etc

Ontario, Canada

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  • PLUMMEN
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:35
#428362
650ed wrote:
I use fork oil in the motor and motor oil in the forks. I fill my battery with brake fluid and fill my brake master cylinders with battery acid. For some reason the bike runs funny. Next time I'll try battery acid in the motor, motor oil in the battery, fork oil in the brake master cylinders, and brake fluid in the forks. I'm quite sure that will be a better combination. ;)

BTW, if you decide to use fork oil you can mix any of the different weights of Bel-Ray Fork Oil to fine tune the forks from very light to very heavy or anywhere in between to suit your particular riding style, weight, etc.
is that battery acid dot3 or dot5? i hear dot5 battery acid doesnt hurt paint! :laugh:
Still recovering,some days are better than others.

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  • TerryK
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:35
#428363
andy9802gt wrote:
I use sausage gravy:cheer:

I hear turkey gravy is better for cold conditions. It's lighter and has fewer calories. The only problem is it makes you sleepy so make sure you gets lots of sleep before riding!
1977 KZ1000
GSXR swingarm and rear brake
WM6 rear Akront rim
Wiseco 1075c pistons
33 smoothbores
stage 3 Web Cams
Head porting
Dyna S ignition
Lockhart oil cooler
Wiseco header



1980 Z1R drag bike
1200cc
38 Flatslides, .
500' cams
7" slick
Dyan 4000 SP ignition
etc

Ontario, Canada

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  • Patton
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:38
#428366
Or just run 'em dry to prevent leaks. :lol:
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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  • z1kzonly
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 07:50
#428377
I have had a gallon of NON-detergent 15 wgt motor oil for 30 years. It came from my nieghbors shop (Nucherenos Auto)
Been using it forever.

You have to find a non detergent oil.
This does not foam up when it is working.
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
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Starts everytime!

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  • PLUMMEN
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Re: fork oil substitutes?

04 Feb 2011 08:05
#428384
z1kzonly wrote:
I have had a gallon of NON-detergent 15 wgt motor oil for 30 years. It came from my nieghbors shop (Nucherenos Auto)
Been using it forever.

You have to find a non detergent oil.
This does not foam up when it is working.
no penzoil? :laugh:
Still recovering,some days are better than others.

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