Reputable manufacturers publish product data bulletins for their shock oils and post them online. Viscosity grades are similar. Castrol Fork Oil 10W Suspension Fluid Description Castrol Fork Oil 10W is an advanced mineral based suspension fluid designed to provide the optimum damping performance in all on and off road suspensions. However, cold ambient temperatures increase the oil’s viscosity, resulting in slower rebounds. When you see an oil that’s rated SAE 30, this translates into an engine oil that has a viscosity between 9.3 cSt and 12.5 cSt at 212 degrees F. Sometimes it gets much colder than room temperature — particularly during the winter months when the thermometer can plunge well below freezing. I didn't want to continually dick around with fork oil … Changing the oil viscosity changes the damping. The fluid’s viscosity (often thought of as its thickness) influences how fast or slow the oil flows through the shock valves. Over ten years of racing, restoring, and obsessing over automobiles lead me to balance science writing and automotive journalism full time. Instead, look for a fork oil with a high viscosity index (VI). The quicker an oil flows, the lower its viscosity and the grade assigned to it by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). How To Use Sea Foam: Three Ways To A Cleaner Fuel System, Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? The shock oil has to protect the shock tubes, seals and valves from wear as they constantly rub together. BTW, you can write an informative article about brake maintenance. To make it simple, just pick up the oil type that’s recommended in your owner’s manual. The fluid’s rate of flow through the valves influences the amount of dampening and rebound. The shock uses fluid to control dampening and rebound. Snow Chains vs Cables: Which Is Right for You? But the fork oil must do more than influence rebound and ride feel. In the simplest terms, viscosity refers to how well a lubricant flows at a given temperature. High viscosity oils flow more slowly and come with a higher SAE number. These trade off must be balanced against the gains that a specific adjustment makes to improve your suspension. Within the industry it's common to use both oil and fluid in … It is the single most critical physical property of the oil as it affects both the wear rate and the fuel efficiency. SAE 0W-20 is compatible with a SAE 5W-20). Fork oils are usually monogrades eg 10w or 5w. it is a specific viscosity and affects how the damping will operate. Consistent performance so you can ride or drive confidently. 1) No standard viscosity – Your engine manufacturer recommends a specific viscosity of motor oil for best protection and performance. If you like slower rebounds, use a heavier fluid. And remember that viscosity measurement rules are the same whether you choose a normal conventional motor oil, or a high tech natural gas derived full synthetic motor oil like, BMR Teams Honored In NASCAR Night Of Champions Awards Ceremony. Once you have the proper suspension set-up for your body weight and riding style, stick with it. Your email address will not be published. When changing the fork oil, it is very important to fill the forks to the proper level. 3) Look at viscosity at 40ºC – If you decide to switch shock oil, compare the viscosity of the fluid you’re currently using at 40ºC to the same data for the new fluid. Front forks as opposed to rear shocks do not produce a lot of heat, so the viscosity to focus on for fork oil is the kinematic viscosity at 40°C, and although a high viscosity index is good, it is not critical since they will not normally reach temperatures higher than 40ºC. Yes, water. Just amazing stuff on shock oil. The following sections of this article go into the dynamics of what happens when changes are made to the suspension. In the simplest terms, viscosity refers to how well a lubricant flows at a given temperature. Fork oil is rated in a similar way to the SAE rating for engine oils, so the thinner the oil, the forks will move faster and the damping will be softer. In fact, you should ALWAYS follow the vehicle owner’s manual to determine the correct viscosity grade, engine oil specification, and oil drain interval. many many thanks for sharing with us. There are trade offs that can be given for each adjustment that you make to your bike. It’s crucial that oil flows just as well when you first crank the ignition as it does when the vehicle is warmed up, otherwise there’s a risk of damaging internal components. Consistent dampening despite temperature changes. It’s logical to assume that a low viscosity oil is thinner than a high viscosity oil. But, due to the international SAE standard being so loose, one oil company’s 5Wt can be the same viscosity as another’s 7.5Wt. ymmv Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), product data bulletins for their shock oils, Your Complete Guide to 2021 King of the Hammers, 6 Overlooked Heavy-Equipment Maintenance Tips, iy_2021; im_01; id_27; ih_05; imh_06; i_epoch:1611752813842, py_2021; pm_01; pd_11; ph_10; pmh_31; p_epoch:1610389899812, link-block-publisher; link-block-publisher_link-block-publisher; bodystr, pn_tstr:Mon Jan 11 10:31:39 PST 2021; pn_epoch:1610389899812, https://blog.amsoil.com/what-to-know-when-choosing-shock-oil/. Personal preference plays a big part with fork oil choice. Higher vs. lower viscosity fork oil As you may have noted, Norton commando reference material(s) suggest several grades, viscosities, and types of oil may be used for the front forks. For more information on oil viscosity, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. According to the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), viscosity is one of an oils most important physical properties.
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