Adding 20w shock oil to air shocks?
#21
12-03-2018 | 09:07 AM
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
I have changed the oil in my air shocks before. Not hard to do but it does not make that much difference, I actually went softer. Since you are looking to firm up the ride by going to heavier oil I think you will just find it makes the ride harsher. For your situation you really need to get an upgraded shock such as ohlins or progressive set up for your weight and ridding style and get rid of the air shocks.
#22
12-03-2018 | 11:08 AM
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 1,672
From: USA
Buy the oil at a motorcycle store, or mail order it. It’s not engine oil, the viscosity measurement is different.
if you really want to get it nice, buy three jugs from the same manufacturer (because there is no viscosity standard), say 10, 15 & 20. Switch, ride, write your findings.
Is this going to be better than a really good performance shock? No. But it will do well, for pocket change.
The stock shocks are Showa, which is Honda. Specifically, they are gold wing shocks. Because plenty of info on rebuilding them, changing the oil, etc.
i think the oem oil quantity is something like 12.7 oz. But folk run between 10-14 oz. the higher level reduces the air bubble, slightly increasing pneumatic spring rate on compression. In theory, this would help reduce bottoming out.
Think I went 14 oz myself, but I’d have to check my notes to be sure. Think I went 20 wt, but it could have been 15. Again, notes. The ride is not butter soft, and I may go thinner for s softer ride. But, I very rarely bottom out as is. It takes hard riding on rough roads or trails to do that. Though the occasional pot hole can do it to.
if you really want to get it nice, buy three jugs from the same manufacturer (because there is no viscosity standard), say 10, 15 & 20. Switch, ride, write your findings.
Is this going to be better than a really good performance shock? No. But it will do well, for pocket change.
The stock shocks are Showa, which is Honda. Specifically, they are gold wing shocks. Because plenty of info on rebuilding them, changing the oil, etc.
i think the oem oil quantity is something like 12.7 oz. But folk run between 10-14 oz. the higher level reduces the air bubble, slightly increasing pneumatic spring rate on compression. In theory, this would help reduce bottoming out.
Think I went 14 oz myself, but I’d have to check my notes to be sure. Think I went 20 wt, but it could have been 15. Again, notes. The ride is not butter soft, and I may go thinner for s softer ride. But, I very rarely bottom out as is. It takes hard riding on rough roads or trails to do that. Though the occasional pot hole can do it to.
Last edited by foxtrapper; 12-03-2018 at 11:10 AM.
#23
12-03-2018 | 11:24 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 231
From: Ohio
I used type F ATF. I am over 300 pounds and the wife...she isn't quite as small as when we married. I only have to put in about 20 psi now and never hit bottom. The shocks hold 10 ounces each on my 2008. Any more would just get into the lines. To get just the right amount of fluid, I compressed them in my press upright and the excess just ran out.
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not yours (12-03-2018)
#25
12-03-2018 | 01:53 PM
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 3,262
From: Texas
Shocks
Thanks for all the replies guys, when I first started thinking about this I had already installed a pair of HD 12” hand adjustables. Mine were the 13” on a 2011 Ultra classic ( and I still have them ) Would it be better to stay with the adjustable shocks or change the fluid and put the OEM’s back on? I’m 6” 140Lbs normally ride solo but sometimes the Ol’Lady will ride and she is 5’11 and about 120lbs. Thanks
Last edited by not yours; 12-03-2018 at 02:57 PM.
#26
12-03-2018 | 02:04 PM
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 3,262
From: Texas
Shocks
I used type F ATF. I am over 300 pounds and the wife...she isn't quite as small as when we married. I only have to put in about 20 psi now and never hit bottom. The shocks hold 10 ounces each on my 2008. Any more would just get into the lines. To get just the right amount of fluid, I compressed them in my press upright and the excess just ran out.
Last edited by not yours; 12-03-2018 at 02:07 PM. Reason: Add something
#27
12-06-2018 | 11:24 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 231
From: Ohio
It has been a while, but if I remember correctly, I let the shocks suck in the oil, maybe a couple times while releasing them in the press. Then after I overfilled them, I kept them upright and compressed the shock. This pushed out any excess oil. 10 ounces in each shock is the right amount for my 2008. I used type F ATF because it is the best ATF and ATF is a high quality hydraulic oil. I suspect any hydraulic oil would work, but someone on this forum had used it successfully. It is a little heavier than stock shock oil. I do not know exactly what the viscosity is though.
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not yours (12-06-2018)
#28
12-06-2018 | 11:51 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 512
Likes: 262
From: Appalachia
It has been a while, but if I remember correctly, I let the shocks suck in the oil, maybe a couple times while releasing them in the press. Then after I overfilled them, I kept them upright and compressed the shock. This pushed out any excess oil. 10 ounces in each shock is the right amount for my 2008. I used type F ATF because it is the best ATF and ATF is a high quality hydraulic oil. I suspect any hydraulic oil would work, but someone on this forum had used it successfully. It is a little heavier than stock shock oil. I do not know exactly what the viscosity is though.
The following users liked this post:
not yours (12-06-2018)
#29
12-06-2018 | 01:54 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 231
From: Ohio
The following users liked this post:
not yours (12-06-2018)
#30
12-28-2018 | 09:22 AM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 392
From: Southern Maryland
Buy the oil at a motorcycle store, or mail order it. It’s not engine oil, the viscosity measurement is different.
if you really want to get it nice, buy three jugs from the same manufacturer (because there is no viscosity standard), say 10, 15 & 20. Switch, ride, write your findings.
Is this going to be better than a really good performance shock? No. But it will do well, for pocket change.
The stock shocks are Showa, which is Honda. Specifically, they are gold wing shocks. Because plenty of info on rebuilding them, changing the oil, etc.
i think the oem oil quantity is something like 12.7 oz. But folk run between 10-14 oz. the higher level reduces the air bubble, slightly increasing pneumatic spring rate on compression. In theory, this would help reduce bottoming out.
Think I went 14 oz myself, but I’d have to check my notes to be sure. Think I went 20 wt, but it could have been 15. Again, notes. The ride is not butter soft, and I may go thinner for s softer ride. But, I very rarely bottom out as is. It takes hard riding on rough roads or trails to do that. Though the occasional pot hole can do it to.
if you really want to get it nice, buy three jugs from the same manufacturer (because there is no viscosity standard), say 10, 15 & 20. Switch, ride, write your findings.
Is this going to be better than a really good performance shock? No. But it will do well, for pocket change.
The stock shocks are Showa, which is Honda. Specifically, they are gold wing shocks. Because plenty of info on rebuilding them, changing the oil, etc.
i think the oem oil quantity is something like 12.7 oz. But folk run between 10-14 oz. the higher level reduces the air bubble, slightly increasing pneumatic spring rate on compression. In theory, this would help reduce bottoming out.
Think I went 14 oz myself, but I’d have to check my notes to be sure. Think I went 20 wt, but it could have been 15. Again, notes. The ride is not butter soft, and I may go thinner for s softer ride. But, I very rarely bottom out as is. It takes hard riding on rough roads or trails to do that. Though the occasional pot hole can do it to.
.
The following users liked this post:
not yours (12-30-2018)