I'm about the same weight as you. I have 400/450's and use 10W FORK OIL. That 10W30 may be too heavy for that model.

 

Thanks! I used 10w30 because that's what the manual called for. I'll give that a shot.
stephen

 

I don't know what manual you are reading but it was NOT the Honda Factory Service Manual.

Every FSM will say to fill with ATF NOT Motor Oil.

You heed to Drain and FLUSH your forks then refill with a Light Weight FORK OIL.

Fork Oil is a relatively new option compared to these bikes. But is much more along the line of ATF as opposed to Motor Oil.

Here is a Part of Page # 68 of the FSM.

View attachment Front Forks Fill.bmp

 

Got it! completely drained and refilled with 105cc's Harley Type E fork oil. Everything feels much better now. This is a photo from my Honda Shop Manual that I had been using. I can only guess that SAE 10W30 refers to something other than 10w30 engine oil?

Thanks!
Stephen

 

I think there might have been some confusion, or something lost in translation, when they wrote that manual (rare but not unheard of in the early days).

 

WOW...180 - 1900 cc's? !!! Quite a range...lol. That's gotta be a complete misprint.

 

Earlier Honda manuals are full of mistakes - some from the early-mid 60's are almost unreadable.
And we were using actual fork oil by the mid-late 60's around these parts, nothing new about it at all.
Never like ATF in the first place..........nasty crap.
10-30 in forks would be ridiculously stiff.

 

Taken from a 1962 Honda Motor Cycle Owner's Manual.
Translated by Honda for the American Motorcycle Rider

1. At the rise of the hand by Policeman, stop rapidly.
Do not pass him by or otherwise disrespect him.

2. When a passenger of the foot, hooves in sight, tootel the horn
trumpet melodiously at first. If he still obstacles your passage,
tootel him with vigor and express by word of mouth, warning Hi, Hi.

3. Beware of the wandering horse that he shall not take
fright as you pass him. Do not explode the exhaust box at him.
Go soothingly by.

4. Give big space to the festive dog that makes sport
in roadway. Avoid entanglement of dog with wheel spokes.

5. Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the
skid demon! Press the brake foot as you roll around
the corners, and save the collapse and tie up.

Still sound advice...

 

that's great

I lived in Japan for 8 years from 95 to 2003...while I was there it was great fun to see the funny English words and expressions people would wear on their clothes. sorta like people with Chinese tatoos here that say all sorts of unintended things.

 

There's also the possibility that you had too much oil in the forks. The less air there is to compress inside the tubes, the stiffer the ride.

 

If lighter oil fails, you should probably dismantle and check them over. I've seen stuff coagulate in the dampers that new oil wouldn't fix.

 

I got it sorted out. Lighter oil at 105cc's seems to be doing the trick. I also wouldn't be surprised if I didn't get all the oil out of there the first time as well, so overfill may have been a part of the issue.
Stephen

 

My manual says:

Notice that it says "Hydraulic Fluid"

10w30 engine oil is different than hydraulic fluid, and 1900 CC has to be a misprint.

Fork oil is hydraulic fluid.

However, there are different forks over the mfg years, so the CC's may vary a little.

 

Yep! Switching the 105cc's of fork oil has made all the difference. Live and learn
Stephen

My manual says:

View attachment 121498

Notice that it says "Hydraulic Fluid"

10w30 engine oil is different than hydraulic fluid, and 1900 CC has to be a misprint.

Fork oil is hydraulic fluid.

However, there are different forks over the mfg years, so the CC's may vary a little.

 

11.0 to 11.6 cubic inches = 180 to 190 cc's. With 105 cc, you may have it under filled. Some manuals, give a different capacity for wet or dry. Wet means the old oil was drained, but the forks were not disassembled, cleaned, and assembled "dry".

 

I've been using this chart, which Yendor and a few other members have posted here before. When I initially tried to fill my K4 to 190cc's, it was just about overflowing. 105 feels great.

Stephen

 

Sounds good then. I have a notebook for each of my bikes where I record facts like that, along with service records, etc. If / when I sell the bike, the book goes to the new owner. Also I find it handy reference for myself when I need to do the same task a couple years later.