• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Synthetic fork oil?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdknicks
  • Start date Start date
J

jdknicks

Guest
I bought some supplies for my fork oil seal change, and I realized just now that I purchased synthetic fork oil - specifically Silkolene 05 synthetic fork oil. Should I use this or should I try to find a regular fork oil? Oh, I'm also installing progressive springs at the same time.
 
To be honest, I'm not quite sure. I was in a rush when I went to my dealer, I asked him for 15w Fork oil and this is what he gave me. The synthetic is available in 02 and 05. But there is nothing on the label or website listing this as the weight. I just want to make sure I won't need to change it because its the wrong weight.
 
Progressive usually recommends 15w, many of us have found that 10w works well for a better ride.

I think your 5w might be a little light. No problem with the "synthetic" part, though.

.
 
The different brands vary a lot, not sure how the Silkolene is. 05 doesn't sound like a normal oil viscosity rating, look on thier website for info? Maybe just try it and see?
 
Well, after searching for the viscosity of this particular oil with no results, I decided to just use it and see how it goes, I replaced my oil seals, and reinstalled the forks.

I thought I would try one more time to find some info before I took it for a test drive, and boy I'm glad I did. I found a PDF detailing silkolene 05 and the listed viscosity is 0w/30!!! Needless to say, I'll be replacing the oil before taking a test ride.

Note to self: Always check the product before purchasing, dummy!!
 
Fork oil.

Fork oil.

Why not try it? Multiple viscosity seems like a good idea to me, and you can easily drain it if you don't like it, right?
 
jdknicks said:
Well, after searching for the viscosity of this particular oil with no results, I decided to just use it and see how it goes, I replaced my oil seals, and reinstalled the forks.

I thought I would try one more time to find some info before I took it for a test drive, and boy I'm glad I did. I found a PDF detailing silkolene 05 and the listed viscosity is 0w/30!!! Needless to say, I'll be replacing the oil before taking a test ride.

Note to self: Always check the product before purchasing, dummy!!
Click to expand...

I'd try it. Worst case it the ride is too rough.
 
Try it as long as it's in there. It will give you a base line for testing whatever you end up with. The temps the forks operate at puts the viscosity closer to the 0 than the 30, it might not be so bad.
 
tkent02 said:
Try it as long as it's in there. It will give you a base line for testing whatever you end up with. The temps the forks operate at puts the viscosity closer to the 0 than the 30, it might not be so bad.
Click to expand...

I'll give it a test run and see how it goes, my guess is that it'll be a little softer than I'd like. I'll followup tomorrow with my results
 
jdknicks said:
I'll give it a test run and see how it goes, my guess is that it'll be a little softer than I'd like. I'll followup tomorrow with my results
Click to expand...
Keep in mind that, with the design of our damping systems, changes in viscosity of fork oil will be more apparent on rebound, rather than compression. Unfortunately, it's the compression damping that sets up the jarring through the handlebars (and your arms) when hitting a bump. It will be mainly the springs that absorb that, then the oil keeps the forks from snapping back out.

.
 
Thanks for the insight Steve. There are so many things about these bikes I don't completely understand (or understand AT ALL :) ) That is one less now! I will keep that in mind.
 
Well, I rode to school, work and back home today with the new front end. It was a bit rough, but compared to my 34 y/o stock setup with leaky forks, it was like riding on air! I'm gonna ride it as is for now, and when I have some extra money to spend I'll replace it with some 10W fork oil. Thanks all for your help!
 
jdknicks said:
Well, I rode to school, work and back home today with the new front end. It was a bit rough, but compared to my 34 y/o stock setup with leaky forks, it was like riding on air! I'm gonna ride it as is for now, and when I have some extra money to spend I'll replace it with some 10W fork oil. Thanks all for your help!
Click to expand...

Maybe a 15w or 20w would be the ticket if it is riding that much better with 30w now. 10w might be too light then.
 
My friend Eric had this to say:
I am currently running the WalMart brand Super Tech 5W-30 synthetic motor oil in Franky and Skunky.
Both of them work great! As it has a 5W (weight) base stock, it is just fine in these forks.
When it gets hotter from constant use, it gets a little thicker just like it is supposed to do.
As it is synthetic, it flows better and cleaner at all temperatures
 
retcol said:
My friend Eric had this to say:
I am currently running the WalMart brand Super Tech 5W-30 synthetic motor oil in Franky and Skunky.
Both of them work great! As it has a 5W (weight) base stock, it is just fine in these forks.
When it gets hotter from constant use, it gets a little thicker just like it is supposed to do.
As it is synthetic, it flows better and cleaner at all temperatures
Click to expand...

Oil gets thinner when hot, not thicker.
 
mrbill5491 said:
Maybe a 15w or 20w would be the ticket if it is riding that much better with 30w now. 10w might be too light then.
Click to expand...

John Kat said:
It's very difficult to compare oil viscosities between different brands:rolleyes:
I found this table that gives a good overview of the different fork oils on the market. http://www.qemsc.com.au/documents/suspensionoils.pdf
Needless to say it's better to compare the viscosities at the lower temperature level ( 40?C) as our forks will never reach 100?C!
Click to expand...


Thanks john! The chart was very helpful. I don't understand why viscosities are not clearly listed on products - It would be much easier! After reviewing your chart I've decided to stick with the current Fork Oil I've got as the viscosity is similar to many 10 weight oils (43@ 40C). If I do change it out, I'll have to go up to a heavy 15 as Mr. Bill suggested!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top