Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Suspension Fluid

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Paul:
The fluid is used to "fine tune" your suspension. If you've gotten the suspension as good as you can but it still needs a little something - bottoms out on landing, seems to mushy - then step up to a heavier oil OR change your oil level. Oil level only applies to forks though. If the rear shock is still respondig too fast and you've gotten it as good as you can with the clickers then you can slow it down with a heavier oil, keep in mind it will seem a littel stiffer so you'll be back to square one messing with the clickers.

kawdude:
Excellent explanation!!!  Thank you for setting me straight on this.

Rick:
Yup, Paul hit the nail on the head on the explanation of oil viscosity.  In my oppinion, the stock shock oil is WAY too thin.

I use 10 weight oil in the shock, and run my clickers at 14 for compression and 10 for rebound.  I HATE to have too much rebound, and do not jump off cliffs or tripples with the 500.  Also, my shock has been revalved by ACME, but even with other bikes with stock valving, I have always used 10 weight.  Did I mention I HATE to have too much rebound?  Scares me....

On the forks, I use 5 weight fork oil.

Rick

kawdude:
All,
Running into problems finding 10w for the rear shock.  The stuff I'm looking is suspension fluid but is marked forks only.  Everything else at the dealer is very light.  What does everyone run for rear shock oil?

Paul:
I run Maxima Fade Free Medium Weight

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