Valvoline Synthetic ATF as Fork Oil

[mq1991]

Hey everyone, my forks started to feel weird after changing to 150ml of the 10wt fork oil. I changed it out for 200ml of Valvoline Synthetic ATF, and it feels much improved! It doesnt dive nearly as much under braking.

Not sure if its the 50ml difference, or the fluid, but it works really good for my purposes.

Quick question though, will the ATF need to be changed sooner than regular fork oil? Anything else I should watch out for?

Thanks everyone!

[Weldangrind]

I think it's both.


Did you use Maxlife? I've used that in a couple of bikes now, with excellent results. I'd change it every couple of years, regardless.

[david3921]

Spud should be along soon to give you imput as he uses, and swears by, Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in his forks. Check this out;

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...t=chart&page=2

I might be missing it but I don't see your choice listed. That's not saying it's bad, just that you can't do a comparison if the cSt isn't known. My guess is the two are comparable. Also, 200ml sounds about right rather than 150ml for each fork.

Edit: if it's Maxlife, the cSt is 28.82. A little lighter than what most use. But some of that is based on our waistlines. It sounds like what you changed to is working for you and that's all that matters.

[mq1991]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I think it's both.


Did you use Maxlife? I've used that in a couple of bikes now, with excellent results. I'd change it every couple of years, regardless.

Yup, thats the stuff! Cheaper than fork oil as well. Sounds good.

[Eldric1]

What weight fork oil would that be equivalent to? With my 230 pound butt I need some better fork oil. I usually run 20w fork oil.

[mq1991]

Originally Posted by david3921

Spud should be along soon to give you imput as he uses, and swears by, Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in his forks. Check this out;

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...t=chart&page=2

I might be missing it but I don't see your choice listed. That's not saying it's bad, just that you can't do a comparison if the cSt isn't known. My guess is the two are comparable. Also, 200ml sounds about right rather than 150ml for each fork.

Edit: if it's Maxlife, the cSt is 28.82. A little lighter than what most use. But some of that is based on our waistlines. It sounds like what you changed to is working for you and that's all that matters.

Thanks for the info, im 6ft and 155lbs. Yeah I hope it stays consistent, time will tell!

[2LZ]

I used to run nothing but ATF in my forks for years with fine results but back in my motocross days, I ran Bel Ray 10W with great results as well. The only drawback I ever found with ATF under motocross conditions is it would have a tendency to foam and pump up the forks. I doubt this is an issue under normal usage though....plus I'm sure ATF has gotten better after 35+ years.

['16 TT250]

The amount of oil used will change the amount of dive you get. As the forks are compressed the air within them is compressed. More oil=less air so the air pressure rises more rapidly making them stiffer. With too much oil they'll be really stiff and you could blow a seal.

[david3921]

Originally Posted by Eldric1

What weight fork oil would that be equivalent to? With my 230 pound butt I need some better fork oil. I usually run 20w fork oil.

The valvoline comes out to be about 5 to 7w. The Mobil 1 that spud uses is 10w. You won't likely find any ATF that is close to 20w.

[Bruce's]

As a rule of thumb ,ATF is considered 8w give or take .

[pete]

Originally Posted by Eldric1

What weight fork oil would that be equivalent to? With my 230 pound butt I need some better fork oil. I usually run 20w fork oil.

the thing is....
a 10 weight oil from one manufacturer and a 10 weight oil
from another can be totaly diffrent... as the weight is a SAE
rating for lubrication not flow...
What you need to know is the oils flow rate...
The CST rating .. CST = centistroke rating of the oil..

Heres one of those linky things....
Scroll to the bottom of the page..... soon see oil weights are all over the place between manufacturers..
compaire the CST @ 40* rating in the first colum....

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...%20-%20Pvdwiki







..