[kwan]

I'm having a difficult time finding fork/shock oil in my area. They usually have 100% synthetic motor oils. Can these be used as alternatives to use in forks/shocks?

 

[metelhead]

"you know you're a ******* when........" Jeff foxworthy.....sorry just saying...! but thats some varying damping!

 

[RaindogT]

I don't know the answer that you seek, but I will say that any motorcycle/ atv shop will have fork oil. Don't know if that crossed your mind or not, but I would go that route before using motor oil in your fork.

 

[gbosbiker]

i did that in a manitou stance fork. it was on my old dj bike that i sold 2 months ago. it helped alot (was DRY, no oil) it helped make the fork smoother and it didnt bottom out as easy. i wouldnt do it in my new bike, but if you dont have anything else, why not?

 

[fallzboater]

Motor oil is likely too high viscosity. ATF may be closer.

 

[DHidiot]

ATF is close to most 7-10w oils. If you must, use that as your damper oil. For straight lubricating oil (like in the lowers of a Fox 40), motor oil is just fine.

 

[suicidebomber]

Don't do it.

 

[juan pablo]

Axed this a month or so back and dropped some in the lowers of my Totem. So far so sweet. Not for the uppers though.

 

[jimmydean012]

Used 10wt in my Sherman previously. Did not seem to effect the performance, but I would do it only in a pinch. Possibly cavitated more than fork oil...

 

[drsmonkey]

This is from the Enduro sSeals instructions for the Fox 36 talas rc2. Not sure what fork you have but you should check out the tech section here...

Enduro Tech

"32) Inject 15cc of multi-viscosity fully
synthetic motor oil into the bottom of
the TALAS side fork leg...

...The multi-viscosity, fully synthetic
motor oil we chose to use is made by
Amzoil®. Any other reputable brand is
acceptable. Note that Fox recommends
damper oil. Damper oil is OK, but does
not stick to the parts as well as the
mulit-viscosity synthetic motor oil."

So enduro seems to think it is fine, even preferable.

I haven't done this yet, but I'm planning on giving it a try when I re-build my wife's 36.

DRS

Edit to add: You may have better luck posting this in Shocks and Suspension.

 

[XSL_WiLL]

Motor oil is fine for the semi-bath in the lower legs. This oil is for lubrication purposes only. Motor oil will not work in the damper. I would keep ATF out of there as well. If you don't have a moto shop or somewhere nearby, order a bottle from the internetz.

 

[tuumbaq]

It'll be fine like other said if its only used for lubrication purposes...A friend of mine swears by automatic transmission fluid, I didnt personally liked it but it sure works! ( and it stinks ;-) )

 

[Iranian-Mechanic]

Forget about it if its an open bath or even for the casing lubrication .Also Characteristics arnt any good for damping
As they ruin the Teflon bushings with the stanchions slide in .
Get my advise for free I paid a 66 RC2X for this experience !!

 

[Jim311]

Forget about it if its an open bath or even for the casing lubrication .Also Characteristics arnt any good for damping
As they ruin the Teflon bushings with the stanchions slide in .
Get my advise for free I paid a 66 RC2X for this experience !!

Motor oil is safe for all the seals in your car's engine, don't see why it would affect the bushings. I rocked motor oil in my Domain 318 for a while, and I'm running it in my Vanilla on the spring side. I tried it in the side with the damper but it was way too thick and damping sucked.. bad compression, really harsh. It's fine for lubing the bushings in the lowers, bad for dampers.

 

[qkenuf4u]

use 30w in my steering damper on my motorcycle and it will/would work fine in the forks as long as you find the right weight... its all about fluid dynamics/motion.... if its to thick then ya its gonna be a harsh ride in both directions.. to thin and gonna be a bouncy ride.... get it right and it will work as well as fork fluid (again ya have to find the right weight oil) trans fluid will work also but its gonna be a 7wt or so... have to play with it and see what/how it works and what works best for you...

 

[XSL_WiLL]

Oils have viscosities, not weights.

I see no reason for motor oil to harm Teflon as many motor oils have teflon additives. And my car has a teflon crank scraper as well. I have been using synthetic motor oil in the semi-bath lowers for years.

 

[frorider]

tech dept at manitou recommends synthetic motor oil for semi-bath fork lowers.

i know plenty of people like me who've run synthetic motor oil as a fork lube for years and years with no issues.

but not as a damping chamber oil.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

can't get fork oil in your area

hmmmm did you try the INTERNET

buy some online:madman:

 

[qkenuf4u]

Oils have viscosities, not weights..

cant have one without the other.........

 

[XSL_WiLL]

cant have one without the other.........

Explain... Viscosity has nothing to do with weight. Viscosity is a fluid's internal resistance to flow. Viscosity is measured in centistrokes.

The w in 5w30 is not for weight, it's for winter.

And labeled viscosities (such as Torco RFF 7 vs Rockshox 5 being the same viscosity) are hardly an accurate measure of viscosity.

I imagine that using motor oil in a damper may cause foaming as well. And most motor oils are multi-viscosity. A fork or shock can build up quite a bit of heat.