I see threads about people using ATF in their adventure bikes and swearing by it. I see threads about Goldwing riders using ATF in their forks, and saying that it's even in the manual. Many references to a chart from Peter Verdone, in which the Showa SS-8 is surrounded on both sides by oils that aren't 10W. Easy! But when my peanut sized brain types 'best 10w fork oil' into the internet box, I see threads discussing fairly significant sounding viscosity differences. My manual called for SS-8, which is sold as 10W. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how much I learned.Īt first, it seemed simple enough. Trying to pretend I'm a diligent consumer though, I did some reading and cross-shopping.
With my rebuild, I ended up using the recommended Showa SS-8. Spent some time ordering parts, tearing down the front end, and got the forks sealed up tight. Lost enough fork oil to soak my brake pads on the trip home, where I kept it dripping into a pan. After a nice weekend out, I noticed my fork seemed a little. I recently had some unplanned excitement, in the form of blowing out a fork seal real good.
