recommendations for front fork oil in standard forks?

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by viffviff, May 21, 2014.

  1. viffviff

    viffviff New Member

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    Going to change the fork oil next week in my Gen 5 VFR. Been searching the web and a lot of posts, and probably more confused than when I started. For a Gen 5 with no modifications, are there any good choices of fork oil out there? You can't get the old Honda SS8 fluid easily in the UK. Even the Honda garage doesn't do it; they use Sikolene 10W. Many thanks
     
  2. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    I just changed my fork oil to Belray HP mineral oil 7w, I think it helps on smaller bumps-it flows maybe 10% faster than stock oil.
     
  3. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    If you weigh around 60kg, then the standard front suspension set up should be fine but may benefit from going to a lower weight oil like 7.
    If you weigh more like a real human, then the standard set up is impossible to get right.
    It doesn't cost much to throw springs for your weight in there and it will make a world of difference.
    You will be hammered with this type of recommendations from the forum, and for a good reason.
    The standard set up is considered the worst part of the bike, it is badly under sprung, and over damped for that spring.
    Do you ride your bike or just look at it, if you ride, then spending money on the suspension will transform this bike to a real sports tourer.
     
  4. pacemaker

    pacemaker New Member

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    OZ VFR is right, the weakest part of most bikes is always the shocks & Japanese bikes are usually filled with something resembling the stuff that pours out when you open a can of sardines. It even smells like it.
    Doing the front forks is a pain in the arse & you are better of spending a few bucks doing it right. I'm an old fart & I still refer to fork oils as either light, medium or heavy & I always opt for a medium weight oil.Getting the front suspension sorted & set up for yourself will transform the way you ride. It will cost, but you will wonder why you never did sooner.
     
  5. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    You should run a fluid with a viscosity in the 15-19cSt range - that is generally 5w. Understanding this is lower than stock, which is ok because you don't really want the performance of the stock forks. It is a common mistake to heavier in fluid weight which only makes the bad parts of the stock forks even worse.

    Don't expect anything great from changing fluid weight, but if it is a matter of which bottle to grab off the shelf then you might as well choose the one that works best.
     
  6. John451

    John451 Member

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    Personally I prefer Motorex 7.5w " Racing " in my stock forks. Tried 10w once but didn't like it on our at times very average ripply road surfaces, haven't tried 5w as recommended above by Jamie but might trial it next change.
     
  7. viffviff

    viffviff New Member

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    Am I right to think that a thinner fork oil reduces the damping (does that make it a bit bouncy, or more likely to bottom out, as the trade off?).

    And if I wind up the pre-load, does that help overcome the undersprung problem - or am I looking at it wrong?

    Just been on Jamie's web site - shame he's not in the UK! Does anyone know of any good UK fork guys?

    Thanks again. Going to hunt out a bottle of thinner fork oil...
     
  8. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    I would guess you can actually go to thin too, I used belay HP mineral oil HP 7w which is 29 oil, it looks like I could have used belay 5w instead, on the other hand it the flow rate that matters 7w might be the best. Going to light the forks would bottom out too easy. I like the way the belay HP 7w oil feels and don't think a lighter oil would work any better for me. it depends on too many factors to give a one size fits all answers. But I think my choice was excellent. I might try 5w, 10w mixed next time because I have all most another bottle of 7w.:playful:
     
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