[pantera1]

My '72 CB350 manual states to use a high quality ATF.

My local Honda dealer has Honda fork oil in 0 and 5 weight. They also have Amsoil in 10 weight.

I don't know the "weight" of ATF. Are there any advantages of using one of the above fork oils vs. ATF?

 

[kirkn]

IIRC, ATF has a viscosity around 7.5 weight. However, I've read that ATF can vary widely in its viscosity.

IMHO, you'd be better off going with one of the specific fork oils - more confidence in its viscosity and more likely to have longer life expectancy in fork service.

Also, since I'm a big boy (215 ~ 230, depending...), I tend to go with heavier weight oil: 15 ~ 20 weight in all my bikes. 5 weight is just too thin to provide much damping a'tall. Again, just my two cents.

Good luck with it.

Kirk

 

[danWI]

Fork oil dampening is a relative thing... because of my weight (160#) i begin with ATF in my lil yamas. I test run straight ATF, then drain the forks into a gradiated cup, add 5# or 10#, test run this, and then add more as needed to create a optimum. time consuming? HELL YES... but it gets the fork action i'm comfortable with. danWI

 

[pantera1]

Thanks guys

I did some research on fork oils and found this. It's technical, but has some great info.
http://www.peterverdonedesigns.com/lowspeed.htm

I'm going with ATF for my change because I've already got it on the shelf.

 

[pantera1]

Got it changed out. What came out was a green fluid. Looked good...nice and clear. Sure didn't look like 37 year old stuff.

I filled them with 105 cc of ATF per the manual that was with the bike. The shop manual on this site for 350's states to fill with 200cc. I think that manual is slanted more towards the CL. The CL must have a larger fork due to its "off road" capabilities?

 

[tbpmusic]

Got it changed out. What came out was a green fluid. Looked good...nice and clear. Sure didn't look like 37 year old stuff.

I filled them with 105 cc of ATF per the manual that was with the bike. The shop manual on this site for 350's states to fill with 200cc. I think that manual is slanted more towards the CL. The CL must have a larger fork due to its "off road" capabilities?

The manuals cover many variations of the 350 - make sure the number you use is correct for your particular "K" model.......