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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: 25knots on July 30, 2013, 12:29:25 PM

Title: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: 25knots on July 30, 2013, 12:29:25 PM
Hey guys.  I'm replacing worn fork seals this weekend and will change the fluid while I'm at it.  I can't find any mention of a recommended  fluid or viscosity weight in my Clymer manual.  What does everyone suggest?
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: bombsquad83 on July 30, 2013, 12:30:55 PM
Stock is 10W fork oil.  I prefer 15W fork oil with my progressive springs.
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: fetor56 on July 30, 2013, 05:36:20 PM
Some ppl who claim to have the fluid & not the funds use Automatic Transmission Fluid....i'll stick with the 10W recommended Fork Oil.
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: jdoorn14 on July 30, 2013, 07:48:28 PM
I put 15 wt fork oil in mine when I put in the Sonic Springs. I think I've read people here going all the way up to 25-30 wt, but that seems to be way overkill for most purposes.

Whatever you put in will be better than whatever old stuff is in there. If this is the first time your fork oil has been changed, put a dab of Vicks Vap-O-Rub under your nose...better than smelling the nasty oil I found in mine.

Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: adidasguy on July 30, 2013, 08:05:24 PM
What? No one suggested cat milk?  :dunno_black:
(OK, been too long messing up threads with cats so I just had to.)

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Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: speeder2k on July 30, 2013, 08:54:57 PM
I ordered this Torco RFF 15 (http://www.amazon.com/Torco-T830015CE-Racing-Fluid-Bottle/dp/B000WMO6NS) from Amazon. Pretty cheap + Prime if you have it. Hopefully it'll work ;)
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: bombsquad83 on July 30, 2013, 08:59:23 PM
Should work fine.  I wouldn't call that cheap though.  I hope you got 2 liters.  You will need more than one.
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: speeder2k on July 30, 2013, 10:58:35 PM
really? i thought it was under 400ml per fork.
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: adidasguy on July 30, 2013, 11:06:50 PM
1 litre did 2 forks.
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: R.macwill on July 31, 2013, 07:13:56 AM
I just did a "Lazy way" oil change (opened fork caps, syphoned oil oil, replaced with new) with 15wt oil and progressive springs. I ended up using less than 1 liter. My oil level is ~6 inches from the fork cap when the bike is on the center stand. I find the suspension to be perfectly firm in the turns. Much better than the old 10wt I had before.
Title: Re: What kind of fluid should I put in my front suspension fork?
Post by: bombsquad83 on July 31, 2013, 09:33:14 AM
Sorry.  I got the stuff in smaller containers.