Fork Oil

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Apr 26, 2014
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Shropshire, UK
Just about to do a fork oil change on my new-to-me '96 ST1100T. I know there's always a lot of chat about different viscosities and such. I've always ignored this in the past and stuck in whatever I could lay my hands on easily. However, for a big bike like the Pan, is there something out there that makes a big difference to how the bike feels. Let the inevitable discussion flow.

Thanks,
Mike
 

Mark

Gotta make tracks
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I have read that the OEM installed/recommended wt is about 7.
I mixxed 10 and 15wt fork oil 50/50 to get about a 12.5 because 15 was too harsh with my HyperPro springs.

Your front end will vary...
 

ST1100Y

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I'd used a 10W with the OEM springs, went to 7W with the Hyperpro installed (15 or 20W is only harsh to your wrists...)
But this of course depends on riding terrain/road surfaces...
 
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I'd suggest a synthetic fork fluid to start with. My '95 non ABS has 10W-15 in the LEFT fork and 7W in the RIGHT. Different internals, so different functions.
 
OP
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Different internals indeed. What fun and games with the damper rod. A complex arrangement of ratchet straps, a folding woodworking bench, bent coathanger and (yet more) invective allowed one-man reassembly.
 

SteveST1300

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John O with the special tools trus me follow Johns instructions for borrowing the tools it makes the job much easier I used the steering head bearing tool kit. Made a big difference.
 
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I'd used a 10W with the OEM springs, went to 7W with the Hyperpro installed (15 or 20W is only harsh to your wrists...)
But this of course depends on riding terrain/road surfaces...
+1 on the 10w with OEM springs. Reason being, with years of use, the restrictor orfices get slightly enlarged from oil friction. Friction from oil......yeppers. Our moto-x bike's forks would be hot to the touch after a heat from this friction;).
 
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