What fork oil?

[Ported&Polished]

I am ready to put some new oil in the forks. I have a bottle of this Maxima 7wt 125-150 fork fluid, it made the forks better for a short while. I am heavy and feel I need the forks to dampen better and not bottom out so fast. Bob said try the fork oil in 20wt. Gonna try that now and see, I'll report back with my findings.

[AlisoBob]

Let me clairify.......

P/P said he has two issues that are really hurting his riding...
1. Bike feels like a "Pogo Sick" ( Minimal Damping)
2. Bottoms Out.

I think far too many people run to a 'Suspension Guru" out of fear, without trying some simple things first.

Trying different oil weights and levels costs very little, and may deliver what you are looking too get from the so called "Guru".

In P/P's case , I told him to try some pretty heavy oil, and to raise the level up towards the maximum reccomended levels.

By doing so, I hope he can feel a real difference in his suspension.

It may prove to be too much of a change ( 20 wt. is pretty thick)..THIS IS A GOOD THING!

It will allow him to see that he can make changes that provide results!

Maybe 15 wt. and normal fork oil levels will be where he ultimately ends up?

Maybe half 10 wt. / half 15wt.?

Maybe a respring and revalve are going to be whats required?

BUT, isnt it worth $10 of oil, and a hour or so worth of labor worth it
to see and find out?

Like Jetting, I think you are the best judge of what the goal is.....

Oil weight and volume are two very powerfull tools to help you get there.

[iggys-amsoil]

.... I am heavy and feel I need the forks to dampen better and not bottom out so fast.

Sounds like a respring and revalve to me.

This comes in 5 or 10W



https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/stl.aspx

[Ported&Polished]

Thanks dudes. I'm going to try the heavier oil because like Bob said, it's a cheap way to find out. I also wanted to say, I have aftermarket front springs, Eibach units, but I know zero about rates, and have no clue what these are intended for. I believe both the front and rear of my bike was done by Race Tech suspensions, as the rear spring is also not stock.

[MojoScojo]

Before you get started...Stupid question: How are your clickers set?

[AlisoBob]

For a '91, my manual shows the max oil volume @ 585cc.

If you go with the 20wt., at max volume.... you ARE going to see a difference.

Might be too much, but you can allways back it down from there...

Lets us know what happens.

For what its worth.... I'm running 15 wt. @ 660cc ( Max for '97) with .52 fork springs...and I still bottom occasionally.

Thick oil, and allot of it, may be why like my subtanks so much.

You'll get dialed in P/P.....

[Ported&Polished]

I bought the 20 FORK OIL and it says heavy duty "harley davidson"lol. w'e'll see shortly.

[Ported&Polished]

WOO HOO! I am stoked, thanks Bob! I drained the forks, and put in the 20 wt oil. THe bottle didn't have enough to put more than 525cc in each tube, but after riding the beast, it seems much better than before. I hit some jumps and the landings were so nice. No bottoming, and the damping was plush baby! And through the rough stuff,I had mucho control. The forks were so bad before, felt like a car with springs only, no shocks. I swear it's almost like I paid someone big bucks for a revalve, but it cost me less then 7 bucks, plus my time. I really think I can get big air now and not be afraid of the front end feeling like it was made for a little kid. The rear end feels noticably weak now though, not sure what to do there yet. On the 91, there is a small flat screwdriver adjuster goody, is that the way to pump it up for a bigger person?

[AlisoBob]

Damm, I'm good!


( )


Sweet.... The $7 "revalve" works in my book!

I wish more Hoon's tried the ol' DIY methods... this isnt rocket science.. its dirtbikes!

[MojoScojo]

I wish more Hoon's tried the ol' DIY methods... this isnt rocket science.. its dirtbikes!

Some of us try, we're just too stupid to get it right.

[AlisoBob]

The " Screwdriver Goody" at the top is the " Compression" adjuster. Their is another one down by the shock linkage that controls " Rebound".

Like the fork adjusters, the range of the clickers is quite small... You cannot go from "Rock Hard" to Pillow soft" with them. The valving and oil do this. The clickers only fine tune things... You can gently turn it all the way in, DONT BOTTOM IT OUT, and see if the shock feels noticeably stiffer, if thats the direction you want to go.

I'm not sure " Noticably Weak ".. means.... Do you mean ride height, or damping ability...

Either way.. you should be able to get it under control with out too much effort.

For damping, You can service the shock much like you did the forks.

1. Drain Nitrogen bladder

2. Remove entire" Compression" adjusted cartridge and pump shock empty.

Fill with flushing agent ( Diesel, mineral spirits, ATF..whatever) and do the ol' pump and dump.

3. Refill with oil of choice and assemble.

4. Have bladder refilled with Nitrogen.


For ride height / sag... getting the proper spring is only $90.

I'm glad you had good results with your fork servicing.. GOOD JOB!

Remember to keep them serviced now... How did that oil look coming out?

[Ported&Polished]

Well, the rear shock feels very soft now, and kinda bouncy. The front end seems to keep so much control, that I can now focus on the rear suspension, and I notice it alot more. I had such a bad front end, that I always thought the rear was great. Now with the front being so bitchen, the rear feels like a horse drawn buggy. As far as servicing the front, I did the oil change about 6 months ago, and I just used the wrong stuff, it came out very clean this time, but it pure turkey gravy the first time. I owe you a beer next time we ride together!

[AlisoBob]

" A broken clock is still right twice a day......"