Lucas Universal Hydraulic fluid as fork oil

I had previously mentioned using this in my forks as a result of not being happy with atf as well as an immediate need for fork fluid w/o an immediate source for it.

Here is a link to the viscosity ratings and other valuable info for most common and premium fork oils.
http://www.peterverdone.com/wiki/images/a/a7/PVD-ISO-Viscosity-Data.gif

And here is a link to a PDF containing comparable info for the Lucas UHF.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...6vcNQ3o0_48NBTADg&sig2=uBv9t3hjrDS58B2Iew7h3A

In short Lucas UHF semi synthetic is a viable alternative to fork oil , as it contains all the anti foaming , and friction reducing agents as fork oils and can be had for under $20 a GALLON.
Lucas UHF has a viscosity rating very similar to heavy fork oils 15wt.

My old vf has stock front suspension and I typically leave the dampening set to 2 of 3. Knowing what I know now it seems like a setting of 1 would produce a little softer ride without underdampening

Not sure if the Lucas would be sufficient for my rear shock as the rears tend to operate at a higher temp and often require a thicker fluid. This info is applicable to 80's tech and might not apply to newer types of forks.

 

Dude needs new fork seals.

 

I used ATF as the service manual dictated for my '83.

 

I used atf initially , it worked fine but a heavier fluid has been recommended to help with soft valving on the old vff series bikes.
So when my new fork seal set came in I was amazed at the gunk already mixed with my fresh fluid although I wore hard to clean them out without complete disassembly.
This time I vowed to tear down and properly clean my forks as well as put in a heavier "more suitable" fluid. The through cleaning was easy once the forks were all broke down, chlorine free brake cleaner helped.
Finding a suitable fluid was a different story, had to have my bike back together and going again for the Monday commute and the local parts stores didn't have anything specific for forks, so either I could drive 30 minutes and spend almost $40 for some labeled 10wt fork oil, or.... find a equivalent substitute.....that's were the Lucas came in it had the same cSt viscosity and VI as many premium 15wt. Fork oils. It also has a all the anti foaming / friction reducing additives found In the old school for oils, the fluid for newer style forks is much lighter due to the type of dampening used in newer forks.
Turned out it worked great, the stock spring rate turned out to be what was recommended for my body weight when calculated using the site that is commonly referred to here. Also my air assist 0-6psi is still intact. I will admit on cold days (under 40℉) the fork is a bit stiff. But the front of the bike feels so much better with the heavier fluid. I never concern myself with bumps in the curves when it comes to the front end. Don't get me wrong I still watch for wet and oily patches, sewer lids, leaves, sticks /limbs, etc.
Next move of course is at least a vf1K rear wheel, radials front/rear, and a JDR rear shock. As long as there is still a 16" radial or two floating around I will probably not do the f2 wheel mod as I want that stock look.

Anyhow I won't beat a dead horse any futher, I am always interested in hearing when something inexpensive labeled for one application turns out to be very similar or the same as something that costs much more when labeled for another application.
Don't expect anyone take my word for it or call the few similarities that I presented proof of good enough, I would expect that it be enough that anyone interested would look a little further into it and decide for themselves.
Anyhow this was just my experience YMMV.

LATER
DB

 

Dude still needs new rubber, fork seals and maybe a new flack jacket for those backwoods boys that may have upgraded those 22s to Ak47s

There is always room for betterment somewhere:



https://www.pinterest.com/papajonesjr/1001-uses-for-duct-tape/

 

I know what you are going through. Last summer I had sliders powder coated and the idiots didn't block the insides and the got full of glass beads. I didn't realize two little disks at the bottom came out easily and they trapped somes glass. Had to take them all part again, clean and re-assemble! I tried all kinds of solvents and cleaners to cut the ATF, but nothing worked, then I tried plain old gasoline which worked great!

 

I wonder what all the service manuals say about Honda V fours later than 1983s. I would suggest looking before guessing.

 

My 2014 says Honda SS-47 10W fork oil.

 

Honda V4s later than the '80s had cartridge forks, and a different fluid recommendation (e.g., for the '90 VFR750F, SS-7, aka 5wt), but I don't think American Honda ever revised their "ATF" recommendation for the older-style forks. However, I seem to recall that Honda Europe gave a different recommendation for these bikes (sadly, I don't have it to hand), possibly because ATF was not particularly well-known in manual-transmission land, so it would probably be acceptable to substitute that fluid (whatever it was--10wt?)

Ciao,

 

just pushing the trolls thread off the front page ignore me