Fork oil

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
pastorbuck
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 36
Joined: 08:50 pm Aug 12 2012
Country:
Location: Little Valley, NY

Fork oil

Post by pastorbuck »

Hey guys, I'm about to swap the stock fork springs for some heavier ones (.42 if I remember right). I was wondering if I should go with heavier weight oil, like 10w. Anybody got some advice?
User avatar
zomby woof
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 295
Joined: 11:42 am Oct 22 2009
Country:
Location: SW Ontario

Fork oil

Post by zomby woof »

What bike, and which 10W oil did you have in mind?
Ontario, Canada
pastorbuck
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 36
Joined: 08:50 pm Aug 12 2012
Country:
Location: Little Valley, NY

Fork oil

Post by pastorbuck »

It's an '03 kdx 220, and I'm not sure what brand of oil - just a quality fork oil of some sort. I would welcome some suggestions.
KDXsg
Member
Posts: 358
Joined: 09:12 pm Nov 30 2009
Country:
Location: Singapore

Fork oil

Post by KDXsg »

PJ 1, maxima are all good brand. i would go with 15wt to slow down the rebound as there is no rebound adjust on the stock fork.
A true KDX customizer!!
User avatar
zomby woof
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 295
Joined: 11:42 am Oct 22 2009
Country:
Location: SW Ontario

Fork oil

Post by zomby woof »

I would try Maxima 5W fork oil or Belray 5W which is a little heavier.
I used Belray in mine and thought it was a little heavy, but I had .38 springs.
Ontario, Canada
ecojbr
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 239
Joined: 09:16 pm Aug 04 2010
Country:

Fork oil

Post by ecojbr »

Check what your manual says, it's surprising
04 kx220 hybrid
03 kx 250
05 kdx 200
pastorbuck
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 36
Joined: 08:50 pm Aug 12 2012
Country:
Location: Little Valley, NY

Fork oil

Post by pastorbuck »

I'm subscribed to an online manuel as well as having the factory hard copy manuel in my hand. I've checked both and neither one specifically addresses what weight oil should be used with stiffer springs. Maybe it doesn't matter. The factory manuel does say something interesting. It says for a quicker rebound, we should use more oil, and for a slower rebound, we should use less. That seems backwards to me, but what do I know? Can anyone shed some light on why that is true? As far as oil weight goes, the factory manuel says either kayaba 1 or just regular old sae 5w-20. The online manuel says 5w. I've yet to find a satisfactory answer for what is best if going to a stiffer spring. I guess it'll have to be trial and error.
ecojbr
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 239
Joined: 09:16 pm Aug 04 2010
Country:

Fork oil

Post by ecojbr »

I was surprised to read that the manual says 5w-20. My KX manuals says the same. I have XR manuals that read ATF for fork oil.
04 kx220 hybrid
03 kx 250
05 kdx 200
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Fork oil

Post by KDXGarage »

Go for 5 weight.

When it mentions oil amount and rebound, that would be affected by the air spring set by the oil level.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
Post Reply