long day in the garage

[Paul Streeter]

Norm Keller wrote:

>As for fork oil, I generally start with ATF unless the owner has >identified a preference. ATF is inexpensive, high detergent, seal >compatible, good anti-foam qualities, excellent extreme pressure >qualities for both axial pressure and sliding friction. If the owner >decides that a different weight is desired, we have a reference as to >the starting point and the change will flush out more remaining >material.

I have a couple of questions about ATF as fork oil.    What viscosity is it?    Are all brands the same?   What do you mean "a reference as to the starting point"? I have also used it, and I think the service manuals on older bikes specified ATF.    Thanks, Paul Streeter

[Norm Keller]

#ygrps-yiv-536196107 BLOCKQUOTE.ygrps-yiv-536196107cite { PADDING-LEFT:10px;MARGIN-LEFT:5px;BORDER-LEFT:#cccccc 1px solid;PADDING-RIGHT:0px;MARGIN-RIGHT:0px;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 BLOCKQUOTE.ygrps-yiv-536196107cite2 { MARGIN-TOP:3px;PADDING-TOP:0px;PADDING-LEFT:10px;MARGIN-LEFT:5px;BORDER-LEFT:#cccccc 1px solid;PADDING-RIGHT:0px;MARGIN-RIGHT:0px;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 .ygrps-yiv-536196107plain PRE { FONT-SIZE:100%;FONT-FAMILY:monospace;WHITE-SPACE:pre-wrap;FONT-WEIGHT:normal;FONT-STYLE:normal;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 .ygrps-yiv-536196107plain TT { FONT-SIZE:100%;FONT-FAMILY:monospace;WHITE-SPACE:pre-wrap;FONT-WEIGHT:normal;FONT-STYLE:normal;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 A IMG { BORDER-TOP:0px;BORDER-RIGHT:0px;BORDER-BOTTOM:0px;BORDER-LEFT:0px;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 .ygrps-yiv-536196107plain PRE { FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 .ygrps-yiv-536196107plain TT { FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma;} #ygrps-yiv-536196107 { FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma;} "This is a MUST-DO, = every time you have the tank off, and should be thoroughly examined any bike that has more than 10 miles on the clock. cough. Especially if you have been riding it, following me. revmaaatin." I'd think the bikes which you have been following would be most at risk?   

[Norm Keller]

I think most of us consider Dexron to be about SAE 10 although it might be closer to 7.5 or 8. It's hard to measure/compare accurately between small increments like that. What I meant as reference or starting point was that most riders haven't identified a preferable viscosity of fork oil so one needs to start somewhere to identify how they like a specific viscosity versus fork action. Since I expect that the preference could be heavier or lighter, we at least have a starting point of about 7.5 if we use ATF and can go heavier or lighter from there. IME, most people are very happy with the ATF and simply leave it there. I prefer to use Shell Donax TG or Penzoil Dexron as they are always on the shelf at a local jobber and seem about the same. In understand that newer style ATF's for the latest transmissions are lighter viscosity but haven't compared because generally ask people who want heavier or lighter to buy fork oil. Reminds me that I'm negligent since I should check the viscosity of some of these ATF's in case they fit the lighter fork oil needs. In defense, I haven't encountered a KLR rider who wanted oil lighter than the Shell TG. MX and performance bikes all know what oil they want.