K11 Owners Group

mike toon · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 2:19 am Post subject: ATF in forks?

My `93 LT's front end is really harsh. Feels as though the tire pressure was excessive.......(it's 40psi) The PO said the bike was serviced this last fall. I can't believe the forks should be this stiff. They don't feel bad sitting on the bike, front brake on and pushing, but on the road I feel every crack in the street. Is it OK to use ATF? I realize the forks use different amounts of fluid.

I'm 260 lbs, and use ATF in both my `81 and `76 naked Goldwings and have a very smooth ride.
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Current Bikes
1993 K1100LT
1976 GL1000 Naked
1981 GL1100 Naked
2000 DR650 Dual Sport

wera32 · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 7:44 am Post subject:

Could be the forks are over filled or full of the wrong weight oil for your weight. Are you sure the forks aren't bottoming out? I'd service them myself and see how they are. I use Mobil 1 10w30 in mine with Luftmeister springs and 1.5" of sag. I don't know what the viscosity of ATF is but I can't see it hurting anything.
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Paul - '93 K11/12RS (sold), 2002 R1100S BCP and '03 RC51 KOG 29

Sonu · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:52 am Post subject:

Hi Mike,

I agree with Paul here that ATF wont hurt anything but I think you're better off with a heavier grade oil.

Paul Glaves wrote a great article in the Feb 08 BMW ON. ATF is close to 3wt oil. Your LT has a specification for 7.5wt oil. I'm 150lbs and pretty happy with 7.5wt. A lot of my heavier colleagues have moved to 10wt.

I think you'll have a much better ride with 10wt or at least the factory recommended 7.5wt. Luckily fork oil changes are easy so try a couple and see what works best for you.

Sanjiv
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1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO