Suspension fork oil
01-09-17, 10:34 AM
#1
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Suspension fork oil
I normally use 10W Bel Ray fork oil to replace the oil in my dirt bike (motorcycle) forks. My Fox forks on my Stumpjumper take 10W oil. Any idea if I can use the Bel Ray "motorcycle" fork oil in my Fox mountain bike forks?
01-09-17, 11:23 AM
#2
biked well
My guess is that it would be okay, but it's only a guess. I used Bel Ray for years in a Marzocchi fork, which was originally specced with Golden Spectro. I believe the Marzocchi manual stated "synthetic fork oil," so Bel Ray was good. What oil does Fox recommend for your fork?
01-09-17, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by well biked
My guess is that it would be okay, but it's only a guess. I used Bel Ray for years in a Marzocchi fork, which was originally specced with Golden Spectro. I believe the Marzocchi manual stated "synthetic fork oil," so Bel Ray was good. What oil does Fox recommend for your fork?
Of course, they recommend Fox oil of various colors correlated to the weight. I suppose I should just go buy some, but I have all this other fork oil on hand already.
Thanks
01-09-17, 12:14 PM
#4
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In warranty period, use the manufacturers recommended product, out of warranty, use whatever you like, MX stuff is way cheaper than MTB specific, my LBS use MX oil for out of warranty work.
01-09-17, 03:26 PM
#5
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10 weight is not always the same between mfrs. and can vary quite a bit. Here is a lengthy article and a chart at the bottom of the page showing true viscosity's of various oils and how they perform at different temps although for bicycles you're not generating too much heat. If you're really into suspension fluids read the article. If not, then you can just use the chart for comparisons. Suspension Fluid - Pvdwiki
01-09-17, 04:58 PM
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Odds are the 10w oil will be fine. However viscosity affects the speed that oil can flow through the ports, and will affect the dampening and rebound rates. How much is anybody's guess, but if the fork feels different with the new oil, you'll know why.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
