Equivalent fork oils?

[RCinNC]

I'm getting ready to remove my front forks and change the fork oil. I know the OEM replacement oil is Yamaha 01; problem is that the local Yamaha shop has sold out to become a Harley dealer, and the next nearest Yamaha shop is over an hour away. There are other motorcycle dealerships a lot closer than that, so I'm trying to determine if there is a good fork oil from another manufacturer that is a replacement for the OEM oil. I've read conflicting reports on line about the actual weight of the Yamaha 01 (anywhere from 0 weight to 5 weight), so I'd hate to buy replacement oil based on weight if I don't know the OEM weight for sure.

Can someone here lend their real world expertise and recommend a replacement oil? In case it's relevant, I weigh about 240, and do a lot of two-up riding with a 130 pound girlfriend.

 

[Paqard]

Tons of info out there on the web. Here is a great reference to shock oils but there are others http://www.peterverdone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Suspension_Fluid

Since you are about to take it all apart I'd check your sag numbers now and get the right spring for your weight and then adjust preload as necessary for the passenger/luggage. It will transform your riding experience and add to the safety of handling. Springs are cheap. You are right to ask about a proper weight oil for the amount of weight you usually carry. The Yamaha 01 is very light stuff. Sorry I can't help more. Maybe user Norwest (I think that's his name) will chime in.

 

[RCinNC]

The problem with there being a ton of info on the web is exactly that; information overload, plus a lot of the info conflicts with other info. I've been researching it on line, and there doesn't even seem to be a consensus on the actual weight of Yamaha 01. I've read other forums that recommend everything from 2.5 wt to 15 wt. I had already found the .pdf document from Peter Verdone with the fork oil comparisons, and it's helpful, provided that he's accurate.

I'm just searching for info from someone on here who rides an S10 under conditions are similar to mine, who's made a change from the OEM fork oil to something different, and can report on his satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the results. I'm not in a position at the moment to be swapping springs, so I really just need to do the standard maintenance on the forks. My bike is a 2014 non ES, with currently 33,400 miles.

I can see from Verdone's chart that several oils seem to be in the range of Yamaha 01 (Motul very light, Showa SS05, Maxima Racing Fork Fluid, Honda Pro HP), but I don't know if these numbers alone mean that they are replacement oils, as I'm no expert on suspension. I know there are several guys on here who seem like they really know their stuff as far as suspension goes, so I'm hoping for a little real world guidance from guys who have actually made the change.

 

[NorWest]

I would recommend Spectro 85/150 as it is the oil I use in pretty much all the cartridge forks that leave the shop. It is a high quality fluid and in my experience reduces stiction compared to some other fluids. If the shop doesn't have that brand then next in line would be Bel-Ray Hi-Perf in a 5wt. Yes the viscosity's will vary a bit but not enough for you to feel the difference.

 

[RCinNC]

Excellent, NorWest, and thank you. I think the Bel-Ray was available at Rocky Mountain ATV, not sure about the Spectro.

 

[NorWest]

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1065/1315/Golden-Spectro-Cartridge-Fork-Fluid?term=spectro+85%2F150 They have it.

 

[mcrider007]

I have found (as have several of my friends) that Honda SS-7 is a very good substitute for Yamaha 01. It costs about $6.00 a pint at your local Honda dealer.

 

[frez]

I used Silkolene RSF 5wt (used to be called Pro RSF)

 

[Ironhand]

I have used both Motul and Maxima 5W. To me, the damping feel is identical to the stock Yamaha 01.

 

[OldRider]

The 01 is 5W for sure.

 

[RCinNC]

Thanks for the input, guys. I went with the Golden Spectro. Now in a couple days, I'll get to try out my homemade fork spring compressor and homemade fork oil level tool.

 

[stutrump]

I used 5W too. Quick and easy to change anyway if you dont like it.

 

[Dogdaze]

Thanks for the input, guys. I went with the Golden Spectro. Now in a couple days, I'll get to try out my homemade fork spring compressor and homemade fork oil level tool.

Hey RC, can we see this home-made labour of love?

 

[RCinNC]

You will, Dogdaze, provided it works. No sense in flying the failure flag if I don't have to. The project goal was to use only things that were in my garage to make the tools and not have to buy anything. In that area I was unsuccessful; I had to buy a piece of 1/2" threaded rod and a piece of 5/32 brass tubing. Otherwise it was a scrap piece bonanza.

I should be doing my forks in the next week or so. If the tools work, I'll make my usual "how to" post.

 

[Cycledude]

Last year after Alaska trip both fork seals were leaking bad so I put in new All Balls seals and bushings, I used synthetic automatic transmission fluid, about $5 a quart from Walmart , also been using it in my Goldwing for the past 3 years or so, the only difference I've noticed is I haven't had a forkseal leak since.

 

[Dogdaze]

I should be doing my forks in the next week or so. If the tools work, I'll make my usual "how to" post.

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