KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: hughes on December 22, 2004, 10:05:24 AM

Title: Suspension Fluid
Post by: hughes on December 22, 2004, 10:05:24 AM

Hey,

Has anybody used Yamaha's Suspension Fluid 01 :?: I have acouple of cans and was going to use it in my rear shock. I heard that this fluid was one of the best fluids for rear shocks. I was also told that this fluid was a 5wt. Should that 5wt. oil be sufficient for my bike :?: One more question. I'm going tomorrow to buy some Bel-Ray fork oil. Should I get 5wt. or 10wt. oil for my forks. I'm running an 87 kx500 for hare scramble type terrain. Will the heavier fork oil slow down my rebound of the forks. These forks have compression adjustments only. Sorry for all the questions. I'm learning. :wink:

Title: Suspension Fluid
Post by: Paul on December 22, 2004, 01:44:12 PM

O1 is 5wt fork fluid, you really DON'T want to put that in your shock. I HIGHLY recommend you pick up some Maxima Fade Free light or medium weight shock fluid.

Title: Suspension Fluid
Post by: hughes on December 22, 2004, 01:55:13 PM

Thanks,

I guess the label on the can is missleading. I'll pick up some Maxima Fade Free shock oil. Thanks. What do you know about fork oil wts. What effects could I expect to see if I run a heavier oil in my forks. Remmber it's an 87 kx500. Thanks

Title: Suspension Fluid
Post by: Rick on December 23, 2004, 02:46:56 AM

Paul is 100% correct, you can't use fork oil in a shock, as it is not designed for the increase temperatures.  I use Bell Ray 10 wt suspension fluid in the rear, and Bell Ray 5 wt fork oil in the front.  I set my fork level at 3 7/8 inch down.

Rick

Title: Suspension Fluid
Post by: hughes on December 28, 2004, 10:03:31 AM

Rick,

You said you use Bel-Ray 10wt. Suspension fluid. Is Yamaha Suspension fluid 01 not the same type of fluid. Yamaha also offers just fork oil in diff. wts. for around 10.00 buck and suspension fluid is around 25.00 a can. I know Paul said it was just 5wt. fork oil. I have been to four dealers trying to buy shock oil but everybody either carries fork oil or suspension fluid. Just from looking at things on the net it seems that some suspension fluids is a dual  fluid for shocks and forks. Some companies offer both suspension fluid and fork oil.

I just looked at Amsoil.com and they offer a suspension fluid that they call Shock Terapy Suspension Fluid which they say can be used in both forks and shocks.

I just wish these companies would either call it shock oil and fork oil and leave out the suspension fluid name.

I found a dealer 45 mins. away with HV1 in stock going their this week. Thanks Guys.