my forks seem soft, do yours?

[Suckerpunch]

A forkin' forked up fork thread..........again.

Don's got it. Mine were really soft and I pulled them apart and cleaned the 30 years worth of gunk out of the bottom, replaced the seals, and they're like new again.

A forkin' new bike.

BTW......you can buy the forkin' expensive fork oil if you feel you want to, but synthetic ATF is what I used and it works great for a fraction of the cost.

Don't be frightened of the forkin' forks, they're not difficult at all. You just need to borrow or make a tool to hold the inner valve tube to get it removed.

There are several here that can and will talk you through it so you don't fork it up.........LOL.......

Anybody else use this in their forks? Sounds great for cost and availability but, worth the risk of safety, if their is a safety issue using it?

[Suckerpunch]

A forkin' forked up fork thread..........again.

Don's got it. Mine were really soft and I pulled them apart and cleaned the 30 years worth of gunk out of the bottom, replaced the seals, and they're like new again.

A forkin' new bike.

BTW......you can buy the forkin' expensive fork oil if you feel you want to, but synthetic ATF is what I used and it works great for a fraction of the cost.

Don't be frightened of the forkin' forks, they're not difficult at all. You just need to borrow or make a tool to hold the inner valve tube to get it removed.

There are several here that can and will talk you through it so you don't fork it up.........LOL.......

Anybody else use this in their forks? Sounds great for cost and availability but, worth the risk of safety, if their is a safety issue using it?

[draketrumpet]

Might be able to find something similar at a kitchen store or a medical supply joint. Heck, you might be able to just ask your pharmacy for one. Pretty common for dosing liquid medicines, especially for children. Don't know if they'd have one that big, but you can always fill it up multiple times.

[Guy_b_g]

Buy one from your vet (better yet, ask if you can have a used one)...they have big ones like that for horses and such..should be no problem getting one without a needle.

[Guy_b_g]

BTW......you can buy the forkin' expensive fork oil if you feel you want to, but synthetic ATF is what I used and it works great for a fraction of the cost.

I've heard of people using ATF because it isn't supposed to foam...do we know for sure that all synthetic ATF is compatible with our fork seals?

Is it rated the same way by weight as fork oil?

Just askin'.

[Suckerpunch]

I've heard of people using ATF because it isn't supposed to foam...do we know for sure that all synthetic ATF is compatible with our fork seals?

Is it rated the same way by weight as fork oil?

Just askin'.

That is a great question.

[Geezer]

That is a great question.

I don't know about the synthetic but I've been using the regular ATF in my forks for many years. It seems to work well for me. I also use it as gun oil but that's another subject...

Geezer

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I don't know about the synthetic but I've been using the regular ATF in my forks for many years. It seems to work well for me. I also use it as gun oil but that's another subject...

Geezer

We have a 55 gallon drum of synthetic ATF where I work so a few ounces is FREE!

When I did my fork seals last winter I started this thread http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...light=fork+oil and that's where I got the information.

It's very close to the fork oil we pay too much for as far as weight goes,the only real difference is the anti foaming and friction modifier additives and it is high detergent. All designed for longer life of METAL parts and have no effect on seals.

IMHO

[Geezer]

We have a 55 gallon drum of synthetic ATF where I work so a few ounces is FREE!

If I were getting it free I'd use it too. I may pick up a quart the next time I change the fluid just for sht's & giggles...

Geezer

[Guy_b_g]

Well those answers were good enough for me...maybe I'll give it a try after I run out of fork oil next time.

[petejw]

Ive been using ATF for a little while now
after fitting a new tyre, the tyre is cupping badly,
more so than it did with 10wt fork oil, so im going back
to fork oil, and try 20wt this time, fit a new front
tyre and see how it wears.

hey geezer, how does your front tyre wear?

if you do a search for suspension sag or set up
on you tube, theres a cpl of good videos showing
how to set up the suspension correctly.

[motoman]

petejw, good choice. Fork oil is specificlly desiged to produce correct dampening through the small orfices internally. My fully factory dressed H went from 10w to 15wSilcolene in the forks, which was done after completely apart and cleaned. Over years of use the orfices DO ever so slightly enlarge. My front fork springs ARE original and still set above spec. unloaded. The action of the front now mirrors the rear under compression. Afew pounds of air pressure in front keep front and rear the same rate when chaging rear pre-load for two-up and loaded. I think an improved ride and handleing at the rear would improve with compression damening using an aftermarket shock/spring. In keeping it original, it is what it is and actually it rides fairly well. Having the other scoot for way-comphy long 300+miles between fills lends the Venturer to be left as I bought it new.

[petejw]

hey motorman,
i agree with you there bout the fork oil, when i was using the 10 wt tho
i had mild cupping on the tyre, so i thought trying the atf might improve it, being a lighter wt, but made it worse.
my bikes naked with progressive springs.


i wanted to get the 15wt oil but i was told that they
didnt make it any more, hence trying the 20 wt,

hows your front tyre wearing, any cupping?

[motoman]

No cupping, but don't ride the Venturer agressively like I do the ST, and its front tare does cup a bit. Hard front braking runnin twisty roads attributes the biggest percentage of cupping, along with tire air pressure. Both bikes run 42psi front and rear. Also both bikes have a fork brace. If you "push" these ole' scoots hard in corners, a fork brace not only stops the "wag" but will help the front tire to wear more evenly. If you see how "spindley" the front-end is, put on center stand and taking hold of one bar, shake front back and forth quickly and watch front fender in relationship to front tire.

[Geezer]

Ive been using ATF for a little while now
after fitting a new tyre, the tyre is cupping badly,
more so than it did with 10wt fork oil, so im going back
to fork oil, and try 20wt this time, fit a new front
tyre and see how it wears.

Tire cupping is from being out of balance not from how stiff or soft the suspension is.

Geezer