Most everyone here uses standard MX fork oil. My personal favorite is Maxima USA. PUSH uses Torco. I've also used Golden Spectro with great results. Essentially any fully synthetic fork oil works.IdahoBiker said:
_MK
fork oil usage...
Has anyone ever used non-fox 7wt fork oil in a vanilla? Is it acceptable to use a different brand as long as it is fork specific oil? I would be looking at using motocross fork oil in the same weight.
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_MK
Yeah, I don't think I have ever used a manufacturer's own oil. Too expensive. I often go cheap and toss some Bel Ray in. Otherwise Silkolene or similar.
perfect...thanks a bunch!tscheezy said:Yeah, I don't think I have ever used a manufacturer's own oil. Too expensive. I often go cheap and toss some Bel Ray in. Otherwise Silkolene or similar.
beware! Some fork oil makers include a "seal sweller" compound in their oils - this should be avoided. I know Bel-Ray uses seal swellers in some versions of their oils [I use it for my antique kawasaki's fork], but you can also buy their oil without it [which I use for my marzocchi]....Read the bottle carefully.
Thanks for that link. His discussion of coil spring rates was interesting. I'm surprised Fox allows such a large variance between labeled and actual rates.GearHead said:
No problem, this guy has a lot of interesting discussions.SkullCrack said:Thanks for that link. His discussion of coil spring rates was interesting. I'm surprised Fox allows such a large variance between labeled and actual rates.
Thanks for that link....according to that link, fox just resells the Torco medium oil...the bottles look identical. Torco oil contains a seal sweller so I assume that the Fox oil does as well. So Joker does this mean that I shouldn't use that oil?? Torco is less than half the cost of Fox and it appears to be the same thing. What do you think?jokermtb said:beware! Some fork oil makers include a "seal sweller" compound in their oils - this should be avoided. I know Bel-Ray uses seal swellers in some versions of their oils [I use it for my antique kawasaki's fork], but you can also buy their oil without it [which I use for my marzocchi]....Read the bottle carefully.
Fox/Torco
Sometimes it just takes trying different fluids out to see what works for you. I have tried Spectro in Fox forks, worked just fine, felt a touch lighter wt. A good reputable synthetic blend or 100% full synthetic is your best choice, then try matching up the cst. numbers to get the viscosity you want. When cst. numbers at 40c are farther apart than around 5 numbers you will start to notice which is lighter or heavier from what I have experienced. Torco RFF 7wt. which is stock in my Pike felt the same as the RSF light does, the cst. numbers are slightly different. But the RFF is a synthetic blend, the RSF is 100% synthetic. Still felt barely any different. That just opens you up to many choices out there.
The FACT is that the Torco RSF medium is Fox fluid. Same stuff, different color, different label. If it has a small amount of seal sweller, it obviously is ok. Years ago suspension fluids had more seal sweller than today I am told. But.....there is a difference in fluids, for example like Spectro and Maxima fork oil and synthetic cartridge fork fluid. Synthetic seems to be the way every bicycle fork has gone, vs. the "oil" which is petroleum based and less smooth in bicycle forks it seems amoung other differences. Be aware of oils. vs. synthetics when buying.IdahoBiker said:Thanks for that link....according to that link, fox just resells the Torco medium oil...the bottles look identical. Torco oil contains a seal sweller so I assume that the Fox oil does as well. So Joker does this mean that I shouldn't use that oil?? Torco is less than half the cost of Fox and it appears to be the same thing. What do you think?
Sometimes it just takes trying different fluids out to see what works for you. I have tried Spectro in Fox forks, worked just fine, felt a touch lighter wt. A good reputable synthetic blend or 100% full synthetic is your best choice, then try matching up the cst. numbers to get the viscosity you want. When cst. numbers at 40c are farther apart than around 5 numbers you will start to notice which is lighter or heavier from what I have experienced. Torco RFF 7wt. which is stock in my Pike felt the same as the RSF light does, the cst. numbers are slightly different. But the RFF is a synthetic blend, the RSF is 100% synthetic. Still felt barely any different. That just opens you up to many choices out there.
Geeze! No wonder folks have been all over the map on spring vs. rider wts with the DHX.SkullCrack said:Thanks for that link. His discussion of coil spring rates was interesting. I'm surprised Fox allows such a large variance between labeled and actual rates.
Now where can I get Pentosin CHF 7.1 mineral oil?
There is also 11s, which is synthetic. You can buy this several different ways: From Audi dealerships for about $36/qt (7.1), Mercedes dealers under the Febi Bilstein name for around the same, but can be about $15/qt at Euro parts dealers, Castrol hydraulic fluid in 2 pt containers for ~12 from Jaguar dealers, or you can check with Rod at www.thepartsconnection.com and you'll pay maybe about $15/qt for Pentosin 7.1. He's a great guy and supports the Audi community.
There used to be a place (sort of) by you called Double Z motors (zzmotors.com) in Fishkill, but I don't have the number and the website no longer exists. Peter had the cheapest prices on this stuff.
There used to be a place (sort of) by you called Double Z motors (zzmotors.com) in Fishkill, but I don't have the number and the website no longer exists. Peter had the cheapest prices on this stuff.
Rff
Anyone ever use the oil on the Enduro Seals website? They call it RFF (Racing Fork Fluid) and claim it performs on par with the FOX oil Only $12 / 16 oz. bottle. I will probably order some along with my new TALAS seals.
http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id83.html
Anyone ever use the oil on the Enduro Seals website? They call it RFF (Racing Fork Fluid) and claim it performs on par with the FOX oil Only $12 / 16 oz. bottle. I will probably order some along with my new TALAS seals.
http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id83.html
Thanks JC. ZZ in Fishkill eh? That's almost local. I have an Audi dealership down the block but at $36 bucks a quart I'll pass. I check with www.thepartsconnection.com
Really? you use Maxima as brake fluid??
No! I use real brakes that use real brake fluid - none of this mineral oil crapBikezilla said:Really? you use Maxima as brake fluid??
Oh, I thought you just alternated between dragging your feet...and your knuckles.
Close - I usually just crash and then restart from there.Bikezilla said:Oh, I thought you just alternated between dragging your feet...and your knuckles.
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