[CaveGiant]

What is the lightest oil you can get that still functions well in an open bath damper?

I've had a few issues with using light oils that they lose the ability to lubricate well.

I'm currently using motorex 2.5 WT.
Cst is 15cst and is slippery as a buttered weasel.

Is there something thinner that can still lubricate exceptionally well?

 

[294037]

Nothing I’ve tried personally, there’s not many oils under 14cSt and those are usually cartridge oils with a high VI and not great lubricity

What do you need a lighter oil for? I usually only for pretty specific applications

 

[CaveGiant]

"I usually only for pretty specific applications"

One very pretty one.

Wifey with the negligible weight.

Ta anyway.

 

[Vespasianus]

In an open bath damper? Honestly, they should all lubricate well in those conditions.

 

[294037]

Here's the classic Peter Verdone chart of fork oils - Suspension fluids | Peter Verdone Designs

The only ones from that list I would consider are the golden spectro and Torco RFF as I would expect them to have good lubricity but the listed cSt values conflict with what else I have seen. Maybe Dougal has measured them and confirm whether its lighter or not

The only other one I've used that isn't listed is Juice Lubes/Rock Oil but I didn't rate the lubricity of it personally. Unfortunately there isn't an official measurement of lubricity so it's mostly going to be subjective which ones are better or not

 

[294037]

Another oil chart-

https://transmoto.com.au/comparative-oil-weights-table/

Ohlins fork oil #2 is promising

Putoline has potential going by the numbers but I have zero experience with it

Generally speaking anything branded as a "fork oil" will have good lubricity and is made for open bath dampers, where as shock/cartridge oils and/or high VI (300+) tend to be less lubricious as they have more additives.

 

[Dougal]

Your lighter mineral options are the Corex 10cst and 5cSt hydraulic oils that I've got. Also Shimano mineral oil brake fluid at 10 cSt.

https://www.shockcraft.co.nz/oils/hydraulic-oil

I haven't tried the Shimano oil for lubricity though.

The Rockshox 2.5wt and Reverb oils are around 10cSt but not slippery.

 

[sine waiver]

Danico biotech makes a 1.5 and 3wt damper oil , (VG10 and VG12).
I have not used it but have had experience using plant ester based lubricants in other applications where good lubricity is required.

 

[CaveGiant]

How do they compare to the motorex?
I don't want to lose the slippy to get lighter damping.
If it's good I might order a bottle same time as the Dorado mid valve... Any ideas when your investigation will be complete?

 

[Lone Rager]

Where would Fox Teflon Infused 5W fit in?

 

[Vespasianus]

But guys, shouldn't any oil lubricate in an open bath fork?

 

[Dougal]

But guys, shouldn't any oil lubricate in an open bath fork?

You'd think so, but some lubricate so poorly it feels like the fork is full of sand.