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Fork oil

6K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  vindex1963 
#1 ·
I just bought a 2001 victory and am wondering about changing fork oil bike has 18000 miles.
 
#2 ·
You probably wouldn't have the miles to change it but with as old as it is you may want to. Look for a post from Bbob - he has a link to service manuals in his signature block. Download one and see what it has to say.
 
#3 ·
If it's not leaking, and still feels OK when riding, then don't change it .

Andre
@
TaPaTaLk
 
#4 ·
Yeah, this subject doesn't really have one consensus, so it's really a judgment call on the owners part. If it feels too soft or is leaking (obviously) then an oil change and seals might be called for. Some people add a few cc's of oil to stiffen up the suspension as well as use a heavier weight oil.

Lots of good recommendations out there. My personal favorite is Amsoil fork oil.
 
#5 ·
Change it...it's 15 years old and has 18,000 miles. That's barely a 1000 miles a year. The oil has all kinds of condensation in it. As a matter of fact I'd go ahead and do the fork seals as well. It's only a few bucks more and now I know they won't leak.

Look at the tire manufacture date as well, the last 4 digits of the DOT code will give you the date. The first 2 are the week and the last 2 are the year.. ie..1205...12th week...2005...if they are over 5 years old, change them....it's your life we're talking about.

Change the brake fluid..it's hydroscopic, means it absorbs water out of the air...it's toast unless it's been changed recently. Again, it's your life.

I'd use a good oil and filter, run it a 1000 miles and do it again. Add some Seafoam to your gas to clean the intake and exhaust sides.

The absolute worst thing you can do is let a motorcycle sit. Be ready for a few oil seeps that should go away when used. The seals such as the front pulley and shifter seals will swell back up when you ride it.
 
#12 ·
They do..it's called Shell Spirax S4..it's a 10wt hydraulic oil. I suppose you could use it...after all, fork oil is nothing more than a hydraulic oil. :grin:devil

I Googled Shell hydraulic oil... :laugh I know they make Mil spec 5606 red hydraulic fluid. I've used a tanker truck of that stuff in my life :nerd You never forget the smell....
 
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#13 ·
Yup Jamming is correct, fork oil is actually just almost the same as Hydraulic oil, so if you can't get fork oil if your on a farm ... Or in a corner of the world like me, all you can use is Hydraulic Oil .... Good reminder and point ...

And yes I filled my forks with LESS oil 5 mm to make is stiffer

Andre
@
TaPaTaLk
 
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