Author Topic: Fork oil (cheap) NGC (Read 8857 times)

Chuck in Indiana · « **on:** March 10, 2015, 06:55:08 PM »

So, I'm finishing up this thumper. The book calls for 300cc of 10 wt. in each fork. Rummaging through my supplies, I'm finding a couple of partial bottles of 5 wt, and a whole quart of 15 wt. ;D I'm thinking of mixing 300cc of 5 wt and 300cc of 15 to make 600cc of 10. Different manufacturers. Seem reasonable? It would be free.. (Guzzi content) ;D :BEER:

Markcarovilli · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:58:45 PM »

Or the easy way out and just use the 15 wt........

Mark

Lannis · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:59:01 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 10, 2015, 06:55:08 PM

So, I'm finishing up this thumper. The book calls for 300cc of 10 wt. in each fork. Rummaging through my supplies, I'm finding a couple of partial bottles of 5 wt, and a whole quart of 15 wt. ;D I'm thinking of mixing 300cc of 5 wt and 300cc of 15 to make 600cc of 10. Different manufacturers. Seem reasonable? It would be free.. (Guzzi content) ;D :BEER:

People have been mixing different weights of fork oils for years to get the viscosity and fork performance that they want. Matter of fact, I did it when I put the heavier springs and longer spacers in the Stelvio.

"Free" would be a side benefit in this case ... !

Lannis

oldbike54 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2015, 07:00:08 PM »

Like mixing 87 and 91 octane and hoping for 93 octane ;D

Dusty

dilligaf · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2015, 10:14:28 PM »

I've read not to mix viscosities. I sure I knew why at one time but I don't remember. That was long ago. :-[ I'm agreeing with Mark, just go with the 15 wt. :BEER:
Matt

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2015, 05:09:48 AM »

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is approx 10wt. and works well in all the forks I've put it in.

charlie b · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2015, 07:55:21 AM »

Is this for a bike with cartridges? If so it really would not matter.

If it is the working fluid in the damper then it is a bit more critical.

I have also read that using different brands is not good (even though I have done it before). Seemed that the additives used to adjust the viscosities are different from each mfg. So, mixing two may not give you a consistent effect.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2015, 09:17:59 AM »

Quote from: charlie b on March 11, 2015, 07:55:21 AM

Is this for a bike with cartridges? If so it really would not matter.

If it is the working fluid in the damper then it is a bit more critical.

I have also read that using different brands is not good (even though I have done it before). Seemed that the additives used to adjust the viscosities are different from each mfg. So, mixing two may not give you a consistent effect.

No, it's not a cartridge fork. It's made by Paioli, and is pretty stout for a putt putt that weighs 380 lbs. ;-T Maybe I should just bite the bullet and go choke gasp bb buy a bottle of 10 wt. ;D Then I can have 2 partial bottles of 5, 1 partial bottle of 10, and a full bottle of 15..

Lannis · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:06:11 AM »

Quote from: charlie b on March 11, 2015, 07:55:21 AM

I have also read that using different brands is not good (even though I have done it before). Seemed that the additives used to adjust the viscosities are different from each mfg. So, mixing two may not give you a consistent effect.

I'm sure that was in the context of oil used to lubricate an engine, with all the dynamics associated with heat, film strength, shear properties under high pressure, etc. I don't think the same applies to fork oil.

Lannis

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:14:54 AM »

Quote from: Lannis on March 11, 2015, 10:06:11 AM

I'm sure that was in the context of oil used to lubricate an engine, with all the dynamics associated with heat, film strength, shear properties under high pressure, etc. I don't think the same applies to fork oil.

Lannis

Ok, Lannis, you've convinced me. I *wanted* to be convinced anyway. ;D

Lannis · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:23:10 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 11, 2015, 10:14:54 AM

Ok, Lannis, you've convinced me. I *wanted* to be convinced anyway. ;D

I could sense that, and was trying to nudge the decision in the right direction.

I'm not an oil expert; I only play one on a Guzzi Forum. But I AM an expert on "make do and mend" on the cheap!

Lannis

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:30:27 AM »

If the fork oil is easy to drain and refill, I'd just use the 15w. Then if it's too firm, drain it and refill with something else. If there are no drain plugs and/or it's a PITA to refill, then I'd just go buy the required weight and do it "right" the first time.

Triple Jim · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:32:22 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 11, 2015, 10:14:54 AM

Ok, Lannis, you've convinced me. I *wanted* to be convinced anyway. ;D

Definitely mix them, Chuck. :)

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:32:46 AM »

Quote from: Lannis on March 11, 2015, 10:23:10 AM

I could sense that, and was trying to nudge the decision in the right direction.

I'm not an oil expert; I only play one on a Guzzi Forum. But I AM an expert on "make do and mend" on the cheap!

Lannis

;D ;-T Me, too. I thought when I saw this poor thing, that I'd just have to put tires and battery on it and wouldn't have to spend any money other than that. Missed the $100 headlight rim/lens, and didn't know about the carb kludge. That cost another $100. 20 bux for a new petcock.. I couldn't fix it. Dang! If I'm not careful, I'll have real money in it.. ~;

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:42:28 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 11, 2015, 10:32:46 AM

;D ;-T Me, too. I thought when I saw this poor thing, that I'd just have to put tires and battery on it and wouldn't have to spend any money other than that. Missed the $100 headlight rim/lens, and didn't know about the carb kludge. That cost another $100. 20 bux for a new petcock.. I couldn't fix it. Dang! If I'm not careful, I'll have real money in it.. ~;

;D I thought you fixed the petcock?

My $1000 Elefant is now a $2000 Elefant. Added it all up last night.

Lannis · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:45:24 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on March 11, 2015, 10:42:28 AM

Added it all up last night.

OOOH, NEVER do that! Only pain, agony, and discouragement lies down that road ....

Lannis

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:57:50 AM »

Quote from: Lannis on March 11, 2015, 10:45:24 AM

OOOH, NEVER do that! Only pain, agony, and discouragement lies down that road ....

Lannis

Helps the decision making process - keep for a while and ride, or sell now.

Triple Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2015, 11:03:18 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on March 11, 2015, 10:57:50 AM

Helps the decision making process - keep for a while and ride, or sell now.

I'll share my secret algorithm for deciding whether or not to sell something. If it's a thing that will bring $2,500 when you sell it, for example, you ask yourself "If I didn't have this thing, but had $2,500 in the bank, would I take the money out and buy this thing?" If not, sell it.

charlie b · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2015, 11:55:55 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on March 11, 2015, 10:42:28 AM

;D I thought you fixed the petcock?

My $1000 Elefant is now a $2000 Elefant. Added it all up last night.

Yep, I agree, never add it up. I'd have tossed the T5 a long time ago if I added up all I spent on it.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2015, 04:29:15 PM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on March 11, 2015, 10:42:28 AM

;D I thought you fixed the petcock?

My $1000 Elefant is now a $2000 Elefant. Added it all up last night.

Nope, I fixed the petcock on the Lario. This one refused my ministrations. ;D Fixed the speedo, but the tach is going to require a $50 ebay donor for parts..
Whew! I certainly hope I don't have 2K in the commie thumper when it's all said and done. ;D

News:

Author Topic: Fork oil (cheap) NGC (Read 8857 times)

oldbike54

dilligaf