Later machines have a different arrangement at the top of the stanchions with a plastic push on cap replacing the chromed screw in cap that requires the peg spanner. New fork oils provide new suspension tuning technology. 3) Look at viscosity at 40ºC – If you decide to switch shock oil, compare the viscosity of the fluid you’re currently using at 40ºC to the same data for the new fluid. ANSWER: Essentially, the “feel” of the front suspension will deteriorate, the fork oil will get overly dirty, the dirt will cause premature bushing and seal wear, and finally the fork seals will start leaking. Its viscosity doesn’t change between 33ºF (0ºC) and 211ºF (100ºC). But, due to the international SAE standard being so loose, one oil company’s 5Wt can be the same viscosity as another’s 7.5Wt. Originally published: April 4, 2018. Headlight Lens Replacement or Polish Kit? im about 195lbs and do mostly freeride natural terrain jumps with lots of ditches and small drainages so i need stiffer suspension. If you increase the weight, you’re using a higher viscosity. I currently contribute as an editor to several online and print automotive publications, and I also write and consult for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. I state that the adjustment process is a game because of the trade offs that must be made. Consistent dampening despite temperature changes. Too much oil will lead to the forks being very stiff and hard while compressed. Viscosity is the force required to shear (break) the oil at a certain speed and temperature. Lower viscosity “0W” oils can also help provide better fuel economy, because it is easier for an engine to pump a thinner oil. A viscosity “grade” is just like a grade in school that denotes a range of numbers. According to the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), viscosity is one of an oils most important physical properties. This Simple Hack Lets You Shift to Neutral, How to Jump-Start a Diesel Truck With Two Batteries, How to Dry Out Your Wet Car in 3 Easy Steps, Is Your 4WD Light Flashing? Consistent rebounds despite different terrain. The fluid’s rate of flow through the valves influences the amount of dampening and rebound. Fork oils are usually monogrades eg 10w or 5w. Lower viscosity “0W” oils can also help provide better fuel economy, because it is easier for an engine to pump a thinner oil. Cost around $150. TYPES OF RIDING The types of riding determine you expected setu… Here's What's Happening, BMR Announces 2021 Lineup with Love, Moore, Bill McAnally Racing Earns Tenth Series Title, Elliott Races to First NASCAR Cup Series Championship with Win at Phoenix, Sweet Crowned 2020 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion, Ron Capps Closes 2020 Season with Final-Round Appearance and Fourth-Place Ranking. That translates into consistent shock performance and feel despite the ambient and operating conditions. This has nothing to do with the damping (key point). That’s because fluids become thinner when they warm up. If you can’t find a data sheet for the oil you’re considering, think twice before using it. Press Release. Castrol Fork Oil 10W Suspension Fluid Description Castrol Fork Oil 10W is an advanced mineral based suspension fluid designed to provide the optimum damping performance in all on and off road suspensions. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. SAE 0W-20 is compatible with a SAE 5W-20). That W stands for “winter” and is a shorthand that tells you that you’re dealing with a multigrade oil that’s been tested to pump at extremely cold temperatures. How To Use Sea Foam: Three Ways To A Cleaner Fuel System, Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? G'ahead, try.www.DaveMossTuning.com In the world of shocks, there are no universal viscosity requirements or recommendations. What fluid would provide the best shock consistency? ymmv Don't Panic! BTW, you can write an informative article about brake maintenance. Oil viscosity is graded by measuring the time it takes for a standard amount of oil to flow. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) assigns a viscosity number, or weight, to oil based on its flow at 210 degrees F, which is roughly the … Understanding Oil Viscosity: What Do Those Numbers On The Bottle Mean? For more information on oil viscosity, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. It changes with temperature, shear rate, pressure, and thickness. A damping-rod fork is fairly simple: all that happens is oil is shoved through fixed orifices. Heavy Duty Fork Oil Informational Chart . For maximum engine performance, follow the recommended motor oil viscosity and maintenance schedule provided in your vehicle's owner's manual. If you like slower rebounds, use a heavier fluid. The shock oil has to protect the shock tubes, seals and valves from wear as they constantly rub together. I’m going to share it with my social media network. Fork oil is rated in a similar way to the SAE rating for engine oils, so the thinner the oil, the forks will move faster and the damping will be softer. The shock uses fluid to control dampening and rebound. If corrosion starts, it won’t stop, spreading and depositing flakes of contaminant in the oil that act like sandpaper and scour metal parts until they’re worn out. They also absorb impact when landing a jump, taking some of the beating off the vehicle and your body. I believe that the key things to consider are the expected service (i.e. Within the industry it's common to use both oil and fluid in … Page 176: Disassembly (Each Fork Leg) 11-10 SUSPENSION Front Fork NOTE Tighten the two clamp bolts alternately two times to en- sure even tightening torque. If you prefer quick rebounds, use a lighter fluid. If you like slower rebounds, use a heavier fluid. It is the single most critical physical property of the oil as it affects both the wear rate and the fuel efficiency. That’s why water theoretically would provide the most consistent shock feel. It also must protect against wear and corrosion, two tasks at which water is notoriously bad. That means one brand’s “light” fluid could behave like another brand’s “medium” fluid, and so on. And remember  that viscosity measurement rules are the same whether you choose a normal conventional motor oil, or a high tech natural gas derived full synthetic motor oil like, BMR Teams Honored In NASCAR Night Of Champions Awards Ceremony. A higher VI indicates better resistance to viscosity changes throughout broad temperature swings. Oils work because they have viscosity; the drag of a rotating part pulls oil from a low-pressure area into a high pressure area and “floats” the surfaces apart. It is often one of the first parameters measured by most oil analysis labs because of its importance to oil condition and lubrication. Consistent performance so you can ride or drive confidently. Here’s a really nerdy table that uses the much tighter Centistoke (Cst) testing scale, so we can compare brands with accuracy. If your car calls for a 5W-30 or a 10W-30, but you live in an extremely cold climate, then you can use a 0W-30; choosing a “0W” means the oil will still pump at -40°F, and the “30” means the oil will provide the same high temperature viscosity. A fork oil’s number-one task is to deliver consistency. Valvoline does not recommend doing this. A: Raising the oil level increases the compression ratio in the front fork and therefore changes the progressiveness of the spring forces. The closer the results, the more similar the oils will perform. It is the operating temperature viscosity that is most important. Synthetic Amsoil ATF has viscosity between the Spectro 10w and 15w fork oils. i ordered some belray 20w, is it too heavy?? For example, an A is a 90-100, a B is an 80-89, etc. The quicker an oil flows, the lower its viscosity and the grade assigned to it by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Higher viscosity provides a thicker film, higher wear resistance, and less deformation of the gears as time goes on. That W stands for “winter” and is a shorthand that tells you that you’re dealing with a multigrade oil that’s been tested to pump at extremely cold temperatures. Required fields are marked *. Over ten years of racing, restoring, and obsessing over automobiles lead me to balance science writing and automotive journalism full time. The warmer oil flows faster through the shock valves, leading to inconsistent shock feel. When you see an oil that’s rated SAE 30, this translates into an engine oil that has a viscosity between 9.3 cSt and 12.5 cSt at 212 degrees F. Sometimes it gets much colder than room temperature — particularly during the winter months when the thermometer can plunge well below freezing. © Copyright National Automotive Parts Association. Hence, it would flow at the same rate through the shock valves, resulting in consistent feel. Oil viscosity can feel a bit like math class when you’re standing inside your local auto parts store staring down row after row of oil bottles plastered with algebraic numbers and letters. Say you’re riding your dirt bike and land a jump. The peg spanner is only applicable to models up to 09/1977. Those who are not familiar with the term viscous or viscosity, it simply means the thickness of the liquid to provide proper lubrication as well as has load carrying capacity. Here Are the Warning Signs. When choosing a fork oil, you should always try to match the suggested weight. 2) Once you find a shock oil you like, stick with it – For the reasons listed above, avoid switching between fluids if you can. Each shock oil manufacturer is free to formulate its oils to whatever viscosity it deems appropriate. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Personally I stick to the stock weight but I also ride slower on dirt than your average nine year old, and then only on nice graded dirt roads. If you prefer quick rebounds, use a lighter fluid. While silicone oil is recognized as the best for RC due to its ability to resist changes in viscosity due to temperature fluctuations, the labeling can be misleading. The quicker an oil flows, the lower its viscosity and the grade assigned to it by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Yes, water. However, if you live in an extremely cold climate or just want better fuel economy, you can use a “0W” viscosity grade while keeping the recommended operating temperature viscosity grade (the second number) the same (e.g. I just replaced my fork springs with Wilbers and they recommend 7.5wt fork oil. Sometimes, viscosity is also referred to as an oil’s “weight,” with a heavier oil featuring a higher viscosity grade. These trade off must be balanced against the gains that a specific adjustment makes to improve your suspension. Light oil soaks up little bumps better but heavy oil is better for big knocks and helps prevent the forks from topping and bottoming out. I didn't want to continually dick around with fork oil … When was the last time you had a thin or thick glass of water? Hence for that reason the front forks of the bike are filled with a highly viscous liquid, Fork Oil. Your email address will not be published. www.DaveMossTuning.comWe all know there's oil in them there forks. it is a specific viscosity and affects how the damping will operate. But what do we really mean when we talk about an oils viscosity? Answer me that, Mr. Dave Moss. If you prefer quick rebounds, use a lighter fluid. In fact, you should ALWAYS follow the vehicle owner’s manual to determine the correct viscosity grade, engine oil specification, and oil drain interval. It wouldn’t make much sense to rate engine oil flow at room temperature — after all, it gets really, really hot inside your engine, and that’s where it’s crucial that oil flows as efficiently as possible for a given engine’s design requirements. Then, after you’ve made a few laps and the vehicle’s heated up, the fork oil thins as it warms. Motorex Fork Oil Now Comes in 4W Viscosity. As a general rule high viscosity oils are best for low speed, loaded gears with a rough surface. In the simplest terms, viscosity refers to how well a lubricant flows at a given temperature. 2) What Happens if I Don’t Change My Fork Oil Regularly? The faster the wheel moves vertically, the more oil is shoved through the holes. The shock oil is one of the biggest variables in your suspension tune, and messing with it can throw off suspension feel and your riding confidence. Another aspect to consider is anti-wear performance. Just amazing stuff on shock oil. 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