What kind of motorcycle fork oil? ›Street Moto Piece
When the quality of the oil in the fork deteriorates, the overall behavior of the motorcycle (handling, suspension, braking, etc.) deteriorates. Therefore it is important to know what oil for a motorcycle fork to choose... SMP experts will give you the best advice on choosing the right fork oil.
Keep in mind that viscosity the oil in the fork is expressed in terms of SAE abbreviations.
Types of motorcycle forks
There are two types of forks:
- inverted fork
- classic fork (regular)
You will not use the same oil for one inverted fork и regular plug.
Inverted forks require an SAE 2,5 or SAE 5 viscosity grade oil to be selected. The reason is simple. The inverted fork is mainly used on off-road, motocross or enduro motorcycles. Thus, pilots will try to keep the amount of oil relatively low. liquidhave increased sensitivity on the tracks, which allows, in particular, to better feel the ground.
Conventional (classic) forks are usually equipped with road bikes... Thus, they need oil with an index of 10, 15 or more.
Left inverted fork and right / normal fork
Fork Oil Viscosity Grades
Some manufacturers offer 7 viscosity levels:
- SAE 2,5
- SAE 5
- SAE 7,5
- SAE 10
- SAE 15
- SAE 20
- SAE 30
Mark Ipone offers you wide range of fork oiland in particular graduated to make it easier to choose according to your motorcycle. Indeed, this gradation ranges from 5 to 30 (viscosity indices). This oil is known for its exceptional quality thanks to the low friction formula for excellent temperature stability... With IPONE you can also change cross, enduro (SAE 5) oils and road bike oils ...
Today, the latest generations of motocross, enduros are equipped with forks. Kayaba(KYB). Therefore, it is better to opt for same fork oil, namely 01, G5, G10S, G15S or G30S.
On the other hand, brands like Kayaba, Showa, Öhlins ... give their products very specific names. This complicates cross-brand comparison a little. So Street Moto Piece has prepared fork oil matching table to better understand the product lines:
Motorcycle Fork Oil Viscosity Table
Classic fork motorcycle: why do we use different indexes?
You can imagine, but the choice of fork oil depends on several factors.
You will use a different oil depending on use (cross, road ...), bias your motorcycle, but also depending on whether charged or not (by weight).
Which fork oil to choose?
Do not put fork oil, especially engine oil, into the sleeves. Really,machine oil designed to withstand high temperatures without the fork oil rising (very little) in temperature during (strength) и relaxation.
Be sure to observe the amount of oil you need to pour into the forks so as not to fry the fork. spi joints (see repair manual).
As stated earlier, a soft oil with an index 5 mostly found on off-roadbut also on little movement 125 and little road... Therefore, in this situation it is recommended to use this type of oil (SAE 5).
Pilot with style sports piloting on the road you will have to use fork oil with a rating 30... Indeed, he does not want his pitchfork to dive at the slightest hard braking on the road.
Other motorcycles with a very high viscosity index: touring motorcycles.
In fact, the road vehicle is loaded in most cases side baskets or top case... This is why the Street Moto Piece team strongly recommends that you choose very viscous.
Finally, the simplest choose a plug what advises your motorcycle manufacturer... You will find this information at Manual your motorcycle.
For reference: For standard driving, 10W fork oil will be required in most situations. NSthe more you increase the offset, the faster you will move. Thus, you will have more consistent braking, and it is at this time thatincrease the viscosity index. With a viscosity of 5 (transverse, 125 cm³ ...), the oil is more liquid, and the oil of 30 is more viscous. In this way, you will be able to meet the increased demand (1000 cm³…). Some track bikes use 5 watts, although they are very rigid, it depends on the fork design and your needs (hard or soft fork).
How to make a fork hard or softuh
The plug is equipped with Spring и Hydraulic system which controls the oil flow. This way you can add a preload wedge or hydraulic gap to the spring to harden the fork... In addition, a more viscous fork oil can be used.
On the contrary, if you like soften the fork, you can simply put in oil with a lower viscosity.
How to change motorcycle fork oil?
If you want to change the oil in the plug yourself, you will need to disassemble the forks and turn them over to drain. Previously, this manipulation could be done with a drain screw (drain screw), but this principle is no longer valid.
Remember to support the motorcycle with a chock (under the engine) accompanied by rear motorcycle stand.
The procedure for draining the plug is simple (take pictures if you think you have forgotten the position of each part), you need to disassemble the following:
- Brake caliper (s)
- Wheel axle
- Wheel
- Motorcycle mudguard
- Two forks
Step 1. Remove the tubes from the plug.
First of all, you need to unscrew the two upper plugs on top triple tree (Watch out as spring pressure may eventually eject the plug or shim / shim.)
Step 2. Drain the water from the tubes of the fork.
Then drain the oil from the fork for about twenty minutes. It is highly recommended to completely empty the tube to respect the amount of oil will be added later. Indeed, manufacturers specify the amount that must not be exceeded in order to maintain the performance of your motorcycle (and not remove the oil seal).
Step 3: add new fork oil
Fill the forks with new oil according to the the quantity is indicated in the repair manual your motorcycle. Before reassembling everything, use a ruler to adjust the height of each side and make sure they are the same height.
Step 4. Assemble all the motorcycle parts.
You are almost there. All you have to do is collect all the elements disassemble in the reverse order and check if everything is reassembled.
With these tips, you now have your forks as good as new. You are now ready for a new road trip!
