Replacing suspension oil?

[R-Soul]

My bike has about 60,000kms, and has nevr had the suspension oil (front or back) changed. Would this make a huge difference to the handling? And where do you get fork oil?? And what is the best forkl oil to use for my bike (Honda VTR Firestorm 1000F).

I have heard that the front shocks on these bikes are normally a bit soft, and that changing the oil for more viscous stuff (i.e. thicker) helps? Any experienced VTR owners or ex owners that can give me advice on this?

also, any advice on a good, cheap back shock replacement?

I have a minimal budget on this.

Cheers
Mike

[DEATH_INC.]

I'll say it before he gets here, but talk to Robert Taylor before you do anything. He can offer many solutions, and not all of them are ohlins.

[F5 Dave]

oh no, why would you change the oil? After all it was good enough to be sold with it should be good enough now.

Where to get fork oil? Gee that's a tough one. maybe in a car shop? a bicycle shop? hmm, no, too tough for me.

If only we had some sort of section on KB where we could ask these sort of questions [this may seem irrelivent if a mod moves this]

[Flip]

oh no, why would you change the oil? After all it was good enough to be sold with it should be good enough now.

Where to get fork oil? Gee that's a tough one. maybe in a car shop? a bicycle shop? hmm, no, too tough for me.

If only we had some sort of section on KB where we could ask these sort of questions [this may seem irrelivent if a mod moves this]

Yep what he said.

[The Pastor]

My bike has about 60,000kms, and has nevr had the suspension oil (front or back) changed. Would this make a huge difference to the handling? And where do you get fork oil?? And what is the best forkl oil to use for my bike (Honda VTR Firestorm 1000F).

I have heard that the front shocks on these bikes are normally a bit soft, and that changing the oil for more viscous stuff (i.e. thicker) helps? Any experienced VTR owners or ex owners that can give me advice on this?

also, any advice on a good, cheap back shock replacement?

I have a minimal budget on this.

Cheers
Mike

call george from motorcycle doctors, easy job.

[sinfull]

oh no, why would you change the oil? After all it was good enough to be sold with it should be good enough now.

Where to get fork oil? Gee that's a tough one. maybe in a car shop? a bicycle shop? hmm, no, too tough for me.

If only we had some sort of section on KB where we could ask these sort of questions [this may seem irrelivent if a mod moves this]

Yep what he said.

Because fork oil gets dirty and needs replacing, now and then ! I mean Duh ! PT

Just done mine after it'd been in there a year And the oil was carboned up heaps (admittedly i only did it as i was a little skeptical how equal the quantities were in each side but they ended up being spot on) which leads me to believe the emulators i put in the HDs forks last year aint quite spot on re adjustment !

Do your oils mate and talk to Robert re emulators for it !

[matdaymon]

SuperCheapAuto is selling motorcycle stuff now. Saw fork oil was on the shelf but wouldn't know what grade is needed etc.
How often should fork oil be changed anyway? I've had my little Hyosung for 3 years now and I'm starting to notice its getting a bit arm chair like in how soft and squishy its suspension is getting.

[F5 Dave]

Because fork oil gets dirty and needs replacing, now and then ! I mean Duh ! PT

Just done mine after it'd been in there a year And the oil was carboned up heaps (admittedly i only did it as i was a little skeptical how equal the quantities were in each side but they ended up being spot on) which leads me to believe the emulators i put in the HDs forks last year aint quite spot on re adjustment !

Do your oils mate and talk to Robert re emulators for it !

Carboned up? what kind of forks do they run in those Amerrcan bikes?


I'm not sure if you are familiar with the art of sarcasim. Lowest form of wit & all that.

btw Flip knows more about oil than you, me & most of the KB site combined.

[R-Soul]

This may sound stupid, but where can I find fork oil on the Norths Shore?

[F5 Dave]

um. . .a motorboike shop? There were some last time I was up there I seem to remember.

Really after 60k at a min you should pull them down & do a full clean out & check for bush wear. Stiffer springs would likely help, & ideally better valving, not sure if early FS were damper rod, pretty cheap & nasty if they were.

Don't just whack in thicker oil, it ignores the limitations of simple dampers. It may make it feel better in many circumstances, but they will hydraulically lock earlier than they normally do, read over stutter bumps they will be even more harsh & provide less traction.

[DEATH_INC.]

um. . .a motorboike shop? There were some last time I was up there I seem to remember.

Honestly, if the guy needs to ask where to get oil, do you really think he should be doing it himself?
Take it to someone that knows what they are doing.
I'm not taking the piss, it must be done right (levels, weight etc) or it can be dangerous.

[F5 Dave]

No, you are quite right.

[sinfull]

Carboned up? what kind of forks do they run in those Amerrcan bikes?


I'm not sure if you are familiar with the art of sarcasim. Lowest form of wit & all that.

btw Flip knows more about oil than you, me & most of the KB site combined.

Abreviations such as PT (short for piss take) sort of fit that sarcastic grey area you speak of aye ?

Fuck if i know where the carbon came from out my forks but it was black as soot and hung to the bottom of the drain bowpots i used !

Mayhap i've been sabotaged ?

Maybe someone up on oils and stuff can enlighten me ? Meanwhile i'll change my oils regular !

[F5 Dave]

Contamination from wear of bushes, bush coating, ally damper rod wear & crap that makes its way in past the seals. I've taken forks apart that have had marine grease like sludge in them. Oil had totally degraded & stock stuff is rubbish to start with.

More modern forks with shimmed valving should be fully washed out as crap can stick in the shims degrading he damping considerably. Full strip of forks due to contamination anyway else it will degrade fast. Those old drain screws were a waste of time.