Regular Hydraulic Fluid in Forks?

[Anonymous]

Can I use regular hydraulic oil in the forks? I would think that it wouldn't be a problem. Advice/opinions/ - anyone done it??

[daveo]

would probably work fine, around a 20 wt., people use ATF all the time

[Hap Call]

There are additives that are used in some fork oil that help extend the life of the seals...it might be worth it to just go with the stuff made for forks.

Hap

[Anonymous]

For my money, the purpose-brewed stuff is too cheap for me to want to try any substitutes.

[Gary Lich]

would probably work fine, around a 20 wt., people use ATF all the time

A couple of shop manuals I have state that ATF is just fine for the forks. I use it in all of my bikes and have had with no problems. I figure if it's designed for all the wear and tear an automatic transmission gets it's good enough for the old GS forks.