ATF (tranny fluid) in my forks?!?!?!?!

[wastedincome420]

I have been trying to study up on doing my forks seals (even more now after calling local shop and hearing they are back logged 2 weeks ) And my manual calls for ATF (Automatic Transmiaaion Fluid) to be added for fluid
Now maybe this was all good and dandy back in 86' but there must be someting better now a days that I can use instead that may be better for the forks..............
Any suggestions?????
Mark

[hohum]

Wow, I have never heard of using ATF fluid in forks...

Do you have the Clymers, or Haynes, or comparable manual for your bike? What does that recommend?

My bike is an 85 and it uses regular old fork oil... same thing all bikes use in the forks as far as I was aware.

Cheers,
Chris

[snaggle]

It's true, ATF in the forks.
My 90 CBR calls for the same thing.

[hohum]

Hmmm, how very very odd. I mean I can understand using it in the forks as it IS an oil, and perfectly adequate as a hydraulic medium, however its SOOOO heavy in comparison to fork oil...

Tranny fluid is usually some 90W stuff, isn't it?

Weird.. Freaky Weird...

Chris

[bemused]

Originally posted by hohum
Hmmm, how very very odd. I mean I can understand using it in the forks as it IS an oil, and perfectly adequate as a hydraulic medium, however its SOOOO heavy in comparison to fork oil...

Tranny fluid is usually some 90W stuff, isn't it?

Weird.. Freaky Weird...

Chris

nah, ATF is more the viscosity of brake fluid

[wastedincome420]

Originally posted by hohum
Wow, I have never heard of using ATF fluid in forks...
Do you have the Clymers, or Haynes, or comparable manual for your bike? What does that recommend?

Yes I have a Haynes manual for my bike......Thats where I found the "calling" for ATF. My bike is a "G" model. From "L" onward they call for Honda suspension fluid ss-7

[wastedincome420]

Originally posted by snaggle
It's true, ATF in the forks.
My 90 CBR calls for the same thing.

So have you changed to a different fluid yet??? I would think that using something else may "upgrade" it a bit over the ATF

[stoinkythepig]

I like Race Tech and Silkolene synthetic suspension fluids. I'm sure they will work well in your bike. You can mix up your own viscosity if you don't like the standard ones.

[SV1KScott]

ATF is like 5W , If you don't want to use ATF which is fine,(I used it in other bikes) start with a 5W of your favorite fork oil and go from there.

[wastedincome420]

Well I decided to use use 10w and picked up a couple bottles of SS-8. So I hope that I like it.
Thabks for all who have helped.

[Brian_C6]

ATF and fork oil are the same. You can use both. I've used both. Make sure both forks have the same fluid. Like any oil, weight makes a difference and you want to make sure you keep it even

Lata,
Bri