Alternative oil in forks?

Hi all.

I'm trying to be a cheapskate, IF I can get away with it safely. My
Thunderace needs the forks re oiling and springs checking or
replacing. [1] But, at work we have a big hydraulic cherrypicker. I
wondered if I might use a litre or so of the hydraulic oil we keep for
it for fork oil?

I've yet to look up the details, such as viscosity and standards
applied, I'm on nights tonight and will find out what I can. But in
principle is there any reason I shouldn't save myself some cash and
use hydraulic oil? It looks as if its going to be doing a similar
thing; Lubricating a piston assembly, able to be wiped up by seals,
withstand pressure and heat. Anything else fork oil does that hyd.
oil doesn't?

Someone here will have tried it, I'm sure!


[1] And a new rear shock, and the linkages stripping and checking and
greasing. Hey, a footnote at last!

 

It damps.

FFS, half a litre of fork oil costs around a fiver and will contain
enough oil for two or even three legs.

 

Wot he said. Would the 'additives' designed for a hydraulic system be
suitable for long term use in oil damped forks ? Anyone remember Bel-Ray
with 'seal swell'?

--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

....and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) even less. Definitely won't
kill you (as in generic you) as that's what I use in my bikes.

Having said that if you've got a bike that's half-decent I'd buy the
proper stuff.

 

At least it's not *quite as bad as the bloke who filled his braking system
with cooking oil.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/5110270.stm

 

Dedicated fork oil has anti-foaming additives. The standard hydraulic fluid
won't have this. Also the viscosity/grade is almost certainly wrong for
forks.
You surely can afford a litre of decent fork oil?

JB

 

I should have expected insults, this IS ukrm.

Like it or not my budget is tight to the point of putting just one
tankfull of fuel in a month, so if something will help, I'll look at
it. If its unsafe, I won't. Apart from kneejerking, I haven't seen
any arguments either way so far.

Oh well. On with life.

 

Then again ATF is the correct fluid for Guzzis with cartridge damper
inserts. The ATF acts only as a lubricant.

Indeed.

JB

 

Not just the Guzzi, MZs use it as a damping medium. Anyway it's what I
stick in all the forks that come my way (except things that are
relatively modern).

There is some damping effect based on the volume of ATF in the Guzzi
cartridge forks. Which is why (IIRC) there are different volumes for
different models with basically the same forks.

 

On 29 Jun 2006 01:49:49 -0700, TOG@toil,

Doesn't hyd. oil? Not being facesious, just asking.

"Each fork: 590cm3, 20.8 imp oz of Fork oil 01 or equivilant."

So 1.18 litres or fifteen quid. Believe me, cash is VERY tight. But
if hyd oil is really no good then out with the C Card I'm trying to
pay off.

Thanks.

 

Heh, it's bad already. I can feel the front diving differently each
side on braking! It was just a thought.

 

A polite reply, and another notch on the deathknell of hyd. oil.
Thanks.

See reply to TOG. And a divorce is a costly thing when she gets the
house, dumps all debts on me and more. And an effective pay freeze
this year. But I WON'T sell the bike unless bankrpucy truly looms.

Thanks again.

 

Nice knees! Thanks.

 

<TOG@toil>; <>; <>
wrote in message

Mine took that per leg to get forks that didn't sag when I sat on the bike.

 

Seriously?

The air trapped above the oil acts as a secondary spring, so raising
the oil level reduces the volume and effectively increases the
effective spring rate.

OTOH, I can't see how the depth of fork oil has any bearing on the
dampening, though: providing the piston and all orifices are fully
immersed then the damping shouldn't be affected by the depth of oil
above them, at least, not the sort of depths you'd get in a fork leg.

 

IIRC K100s also use ATF

My Quota doesn't, though. At least, it's not specifically named.

 

It works ok,,, just try it and see if it suits your foks.

 

Fair point.

Actually, my YZ has little valves for equalising the fork air
pressure, which one is supposed to open briefly before riding. I
generally do, though I can't honestly say that I've noticed any
difference when I haven't.

 

Well that's not being a cheapskate, that's being a REAL pikey fucker.

If the 'Cat is supposed to use oil, then hydraulic fluid won't be the same
thing, will it?

It looks as if its going to be doing a similar

Go through small holes at a pre-determined rate. Spped that rate up (or slow
it down) and you alter the way the forks will suspend. Spend the 2 fucking
quid (or whatever it it) and do the job properly. In fact, get a man in.

I don't think there are too many people will admit to being pikey dickheads
around here.

Maybe you can cut some costs here. Just give it a fucking good looking at
and call the job done.



--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Long story. I shagged, got caught out, felt guilty and let her have
the house. LATER, she dropped the debts on me too. Solicitors say I
can fihght it but costs will be as much. As usual only the solicitors
win.

What a coincidence.



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Just finished another night shift and suprise, no email so far. I
live in hope though.