Which fork oil is best?

Need advice on which oil to use or which tyre best suits you? Share your topic and get help here.
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Bleh
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Which fork oil is best?

Post by Bleh »

As per title, could anyone recommend a good fork oil please?
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macdee
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by macdee »

roger advises 7.5 some others use 10
i used silkolene 7.5 with no complaints
you could try oilman http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 98#p324098
told you not to but oh no you knew better
Roger Ditchfield
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Roger Ditchfield »

Most major companies produce a quality fork oil to SAE standard.
I use Shell or Motul SAE 7.5 on my VTR "Street" fork tune and SAE 5 on the "Track Only" fork tune using RaceTec Gold Seal valves. Oil Grade selected depends on the type of internals you are using to control the damping and rebound speeds through the valving and past the shimming. Using overweight oil grades will slow the action down and is often used to mask what is really and internal issue.
Hope this helps
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Bleh
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Bleh »

Great help thanks both, I'm generally a motul fan so will be purchasing some 7.5 in the near future.
I'm not death to power tools... If it breaks, it's obviously NOT a power tool!!!
Roger Ditchfield
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Roger Ditchfield »

If you cannot get SAE 7.5 you can mix SAE 5 and SAE 10 in a 50/50 ratio but this mixture must be from the same maker.
Roger Ditchfield
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Roger Ditchfield »

Just to clarify a comment I made earlier regarding the use of overweight oils.
The standard HONDA VTR fork oil used in Honda dealers for servicing is equivalent to SAE 9.5 and is for STANDARD valving and therefore the correct replacement SAE equivalent is SAE 10 for untuned forks.
To try and mask the VTR fork issues by the use of SAE 15 and even SAE 20 is particularly in conjunction with a reduction of the air gap as had been previously advocated on some Forums is not good practice and has potentially serious consequences.
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agentpineapple
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by agentpineapple »

that's good advise rodger....... :thumbup:
you'll be seeing a pair of standard forks from me this year buddy.... :wink:
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Jamoi
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Jamoi »

Roger Ditchfield wrote:SAE 5 on the "Track Only" fork tune using RaceTec Gold Seal valves.
Wahoo, thanks for posting that, I was thinking of asking what weight oil to use in the 'track only' forks.

You must have read my mind :clap: :thumbup:
Jamie :wave:
Roger Ditchfield
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Roger Ditchfield »

The recommendation to use SAE 5 is assuming you have RaceTec gold seal valves or similar fitted.
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Jamoi
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Jamoi »

Roger Ditchfield wrote:The recommendation to use SAE 5 is assuming you have RaceTec gold seal valves or similar fitted.
Thank you. Your receipt states 'full race tune' so I assume they have racetec gold seal valves inside.

What air gap do you recommend for the SAE 5 oil in the race tuned forks?
Jamie :wave:
Roger Ditchfield
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Roger Ditchfield »

135mm
Good Luck
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Jamoi
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Jamoi »

Roger Ditchfield wrote:135mm
Good Luck
Thankyou sir :thumbup:
Jamie :wave:
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Wilky811
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Wilky811 »

I'm going to change my fork oil and I'm going to use a SAE 10w oil. Is it just a case of purely replacing the oil or is there anything else I should be considering? It's for road use only.
Dickiebig
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Dickiebig »

If your in that far bushes and fork seals, if your not already doing so.
You could consider tuning your forks and springs or even sending them to Roger to be done.
The general consensus is that he is the man for this and most things VTR.
Just depends how far you want to go and what you have as a budget.
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Wicky
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Re: Which fork oil is best?

Post by Wicky »

Wilky811 wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:55 pm I'm going to change my fork oil and I'm going to use a SAE 10w oil. Is it just a case of purely replacing the oil or is there anything else I should be considering? It's for road use only.
Have a read through Standard Fork Upgrade Service Guide in the workshop knowledgebase

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=29710

Or as mentioned invest in getting your forks fully 'Rogered'.
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

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