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| Fork Oil or ATF? https://vintagedirtbikeforums.alp-sys.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=204 |
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| Author: | Nathan [ Fri Apr 16, 2004 7:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Fork Oil or ATF? |
Many of the old manuals specified using Automatic Transmission Fluid in the forks. I'd like to get a discusion going on the pros and cons of each. |
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| Author: | J [ Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
I have never used ATF myself, but as mentioned in another post I remember the Dirt Bike magazine guys used it. I don't know all the properties of ATF, but it is a hydraulic fluid that survives under what I would think are higher pressures and temperatures than forks should produce. Maybe modern fork oils have better damping and lubricatory (Is that a word?) properties? |
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| Author: | J [ Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I found this valid argument against ATF on progessivesuspension.com Most motorcycle manufacturers recommend ATF (automatic transmission fluid) for fork oil. This has excellent lubricating and cleaning qualities but we do not recommend ATF oil for one main reason. When it is manufactured it has no viscosity specification other than it must fall between 5 wgt and 17 wgt. One time you buy ATF it might be 5 wgt and the next time it could be 17 wgt. We do not feel that this is acceptable for motorcycle forks. Therefore we recommend most major brands of motorcycle fork oil. As a general recommendation 10 wgt works well for most motorcycles. |
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| Author: | Vintage Dave [ Fri Apr 16, 2004 5:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I have used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF with good results. It is 7 weight and they actually list specs for it on their website complete with centistoke measures. I wouldn't be afraid to use it in any conventional forks and as an added bonus it seems to reduce stiction and give a plusher ride. Dave Garner San Antonio |
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| Author: | 78cr250 [ Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
in a 78 cr250 would you recommend a 5w or 10w? |
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| Author: | redrocket190 [ Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Assuming you are not over 180 lbs and they are stock forks I would start with 5 weight oil at stock volume and height. |
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