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| techtalk:ref:susp01 [2019/04/13 01:26] – [Fork Oil Viscosity Chart] hippysmack | techtalk:ref:susp01 [2024/01/20 19:52] (current) – [HD Recommendations] hippysmack | ||
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| ====== Fork Oil ======= | ====== Fork Oil ======= | ||
| ===== HD Recommendations ===== | ===== HD Recommendations ===== | ||
| - | * The MoCo specifies HD Type B or E (and respective equivalents) fork oil depending on year model. | + | * The MoCo specifies HD Type B or E (and respective equivalents) fork oil depending on year model. \\ Below is some general information gathered by XLForum members. However, the actual data on HD forks oils has never been published or verified by HD. |
| * HD doesn' | * HD doesn' | ||
| * HD has, however, confirmed that type B (0-10W) fork oil is lighter than Type E (5-20). ((Q&A question 1 http:// | * HD has, however, confirmed that type B (0-10W) fork oil is lighter than Type E (5-20). ((Q&A question 1 http:// | ||
| - | * Also, the kinematic viscosity (at 40°C [mm2/s = cSt]) was mentioned on the HD site for Type E. ((Q&A https:// | + | * Also, the kinematic viscosity (at 40°C [mm2/s = cSt]) was mentioned on the HD site for Type E. ((Q&A https:// |
| + | * Additional information provided by Tomcatt of the XLForum (through conversation with tech guys at Red Line Oils) | ||
| + | * Harley Davidson type " | ||
| + | * Harley Davidson type " | ||
| + | |||
| ===== Aftermarket Fork Oil ===== | ===== Aftermarket Fork Oil ===== | ||
| * If you want to use aftermarket fork oil besides the HD brand, \\ It's best to start with an oil weight that has been proven to work in most general situations. \\ The general preferred weight of fork oil is 15(W) on the XLFORUM in whatever flavor you like. \\ So, start by using 15(W) oil as noted and test it yourself. \\ Depending on your weight, the bike's weight including add-ons and baggage, shocks and etc., \\ You might swap to a lower weight fork oil for softer or a heavier weight fork oil for stiffer fork action. | * If you want to use aftermarket fork oil besides the HD brand, \\ It's best to start with an oil weight that has been proven to work in most general situations. \\ The general preferred weight of fork oil is 15(W) on the XLFORUM in whatever flavor you like. \\ So, start by using 15(W) oil as noted and test it yourself. \\ Depending on your weight, the bike's weight including add-ons and baggage, shocks and etc., \\ You might swap to a lower weight fork oil for softer or a heavier weight fork oil for stiffer fork action. | ||
| - | * Generally, it's recommended to start with stock oil height. \\ Test ride, if bottoming out, then add oil. \\ Generally, long forks can add up to 2 oz, short fork 1 oz extra oil. \\ Anything more than that tends to cause hydro locking, so it is best to add just enough oil to control bottoming, which may be less then 1 or 2 oz. \\ Generally, if adding more oil than above to control bottoming, (and assuming preload and oil viscosity is correct), \\ The main spring is too light and needs replacing. ((XLXR of the XLFORUM | + | * Generally, it's recommended to start with stock oil height. \\ Test ride, if bottoming out, then add oil. \\ Generally, long forks can add up to 2 oz, short fork 1 oz extra oil. \\ Anything more than that tends to cause hydro locking, so it is best to add just enough oil to control bottoming, which may be less then 1 or 2 oz. \\ Generally, if adding more oil than above to control bottoming, (and assuming preload and oil viscosity is correct), \\ The main spring is too light and needs replacing. ((XLXR of the XLFORUM |
| - | * It's not recommended to use any less than stock oil levels in the forks. \\ The less oil, the quicker it will get contaminated and/or break down. \\ (as well as less resistance to heat build up and more likely to have foaming and cavitation problems) \\ The minimum oil level that won't start sucking air in to the damper tube is not known. | + | * It's not recommended to use any less than stock oil levels in the forks. \\ The less oil, the quicker it will get contaminated and/or break down. \\ (as well as less resistance to heat build up and more likely to have foaming and cavitation problems) \\ The minimum oil level that won't start sucking air in to the damper tube is not known. |
| * A lubricant' | * A lubricant' | ||
| * Below is a sample list of alternative fork oils and their published viscosities. \\ Some aftermarket brands include the words "Type E" or "Type B" on their label. \\ Some may say that's to make you feel like your getting the same quality or " | * Below is a sample list of alternative fork oils and their published viscosities. \\ Some aftermarket brands include the words "Type E" or "Type B" on their label. \\ Some may say that's to make you feel like your getting the same quality or " | ||
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| * Somewhere in some of the oil SDS data you'll find phrases like: \\ "The data presented herein is based upon tests and information, | * Somewhere in some of the oil SDS data you'll find phrases like: \\ "The data presented herein is based upon tests and information, | ||
| * So viscosity really is a 'buyer beware' | * So viscosity really is a 'buyer beware' | ||
| - | * Many aftermarket companies will publish their data version of Harley Davidson fork oil. \\ Whole there may be some truth in their data, there also be a lot of embellishment. \\ Be aware that some of their data is simply tossed around from one site to another (much like rumors go in sewing circles). \\ The only way for you to actually know the specs on Harley fork oil is for __you__ to have it tested at a reputable lab. \\ Don't depend on " | + | * Many aftermarket companies will publish their data version of Harley Davidson fork oil. \\ Although |
| - | | + | |
| - | ===== Fork Oil Viscosity | + | ====== Fork Oil Viscosity |
| + | ===== Viscosity Comparisons | ||
| This chart was compiled as an example of different fork oil data as published by the respective manufacturers. \\ | This chart was compiled as an example of different fork oil data as published by the respective manufacturers. \\ | ||
| These figures came from the actual respective company' | These figures came from the actual respective company' | ||
| See the updated SDS / TDS information from each manuf. before trusting any charts on the internet. \\ | See the updated SDS / TDS information from each manuf. before trusting any charts on the internet. \\ | ||
| + | You can also go to the [[https:// | ||
| + | This helps with missing information not listed in the chart below. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| ^ Fork Oil^ Nominal^ Viscosity cSt^ Viscosity cSt^ Viscosity^ Visual^ | ^ Fork Oil^ Nominal^ Viscosity cSt^ Viscosity cSt^ Viscosity^ Visual^ | ||
| ^ Brand^ Viscosity^ @ 40°C (104°F)^ @ 100°C (212°F)^ Index^ Color^ | ^ Brand^ Viscosity^ @ 40°C (104°F)^ @ 100°C (212°F)^ Index^ Color^ | ||
| ||||||| | ||||||| | ||
| - | ^Harley Davidson^Type E ((independent testing not affiliated with Harley Davidson - shanneba of the XLFORUM | + | ^Harley Davidson^Type E ((independent testing not affiliated with Harley Davidson - shanneba of the XLFORUM |
| |Maxima((Maxima fork oil http:// | |Maxima((Maxima fork oil http:// | ||
| | | 10wt| 37.4| 7.72| 182| Clear | | | | 10wt| 37.4| 7.72| 182| Clear | | ||
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| Says they are all of High Viscosity Index and Light Red in color. No viscosity weights are published however even in SDS. As a matter of fact PJ1 has the same SDS data sheet (for and that includes) 6 different weights although they publish that they have 8 different weights. Meets or exceeds OEM is published | Says they are all of High Viscosity Index and Light Red in color. No viscosity weights are published however even in SDS. As a matter of fact PJ1 has the same SDS data sheet (for and that includes) 6 different weights although they publish that they have 8 different weights. Meets or exceeds OEM is published | ||
| + | ===== HD Compared to Redline ===== | ||
| + | Independent testing (not affiliated with Harley Davidson) was done on HD Type E fork oil. ((shanneba of the XLFORUM | ||
| + | Based on the data from that testing, the chart below was created using the [[https:// | ||
| + | The chart is a comparison of HD Type E, Red Line Medium, Red Line Heavy and the 75% RL Medium / 25% Red Line Heavy fork oils. \\ | ||
| + | Temperatures from 0C / 32F to ~ 50C / 122F (the data on the web page goes up to 80C). \\ | ||
| + | You can see clearly how the higher (442) viscosity Index of the Red Line Medium fork oil changes viscosity less at colder temp. \\ | ||
| + | This should give a more consistent suspension at lower temps. Again, trust your own results / testing. \\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
