| Author | Message | ||
     Adrian_8 |
I have changed the fork oil once and put in Mobil 1 Syn Trans fluid...I feel like it might be a little too light..what is the scoop on the proper weight of fork oil for the ULY? | ||
| Chrisb |
I really have to ask why did you choose Trans fluid to put in forks? | ||
| Lorazepam |
Actually trans fluid makes a good fork oil. It is basically a hydraulic fluid like fork oil. It has anti foaming agents, and has seal conditioners. I have used it in older bikes in the past, but I am not sure how it would be classed as far as "weight" or viscosity vs the oil in the Uly forks. Maybe google will be your friend in finding out. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
H-D has an oil that is the correct weight, I used Amsoil medium/blue when I did mine. | ||
| Treadmarks |
Mobil 1 syn trans fluid here too. I have it in all my bikes. I like the lighter weight and it does not turn into gorilla snot like some fluids. I usually add just a tiny bit more to help prevent dives. It may not be recommended for racing, but it gets me to work an back just fine.  | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
ATF has been used for years as a fork oil. It was/is the recommended fluid in many older bikes. Has worked great in my old Triumphs. I do not have any experience with it in more modern inverted forks but suppose it would work o.k. | ||
| Teeps |
Fork oil is formulated especially for the intended job. The only possible reason not to use it, would be lack of availability. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
As an "old schooler" we always used ATF in our bikes...The owner of the local KTM dealer has a thriving business rebuilding shocks and forks on the race bikes...He said do not use ATF. He had many reasons but the one that stuck was it was not as "slick" as his super special fork oil. The "cloud of Doubt" was planted in my mind...The manual calls for Type E...so that is what I am going to try...I put some Type E in the Super Glide last week, took out the ATF and it is much better, not so quick on the rebound... | ||
| Blake |
Some folks will always tend to imagine that there are better means of lubricating than what the engineers and manufactures recommend. Been there, done that. Had to replace rotten exhaust components because of it. | ||
| Aeholton |
}Been there, done that. Had to replace rotten exhaust components because of it. OK, I'll bite...how did ATF in the forks rot your exhaust?  | ||
| Blake |
It was the engine; the slick 50 crap produces an acidic byproduct of combustion that will eat away mufflers and tailpipes right where water and acid mixture condenses prior to the exhaust tract heating up enough to prevent it. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Fork Oil .....I put in the recommended Type E and the forks seem to work better than with the ATF...more control on the bumps and less of the snappy rebound..this was on a 10 mile test ride... | ||
| Lorazepam |
I had a suzuki that the recommended fork oil was a 50% mix of atf and 30 wt oil. I have used 15wt hydraulic fluid also. But then again, those forks were just "front wheel holders" compared to todays suspensions. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
"Back in The Day" we put some stuff in our forks called "fish oil"....which is what the Formula+ smells like..smell it, could be anchovy oil...minnow squeezings.. who knows? | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Blake, I agree. Forks get fork oil. I didn't use the H-D stuff mostly out of lazyness. I prefer the synth motor oil, and I just added two quarts of the amsoil fork oil (same application/specs they say) to the order. Seems to work just as well, I did change the springs to the 07 spec at the same time, so I can't be 100% sure. ATF might work, but the suspension is one of the big features for me of the buell, why change it around from a known good thing with some mystery fork oil. "But then again, those forks were just "front wheel holders" compared to todays suspensions." - Exactly. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Not being happy with my front end at all, I went to the Amsoil Medium when I swapped to the '07 springs and now find the front end wonderful. Fork action seems much more in control and also adjustable. Before, I couldn't tell a difference in the fork setting except that they were too firm or soft. No happy medium. The forks now seem to handle a variety of surfaces much better. Not sure if it was the springs, oil, or combo, but it worked wonders. |
