Fork Oil

[irishbiker125]

Anyone know the correct fork oil for a Keeway Speed 125- year 2013 and the quantity in each leg?

[Corvairkid]

i got to ask how did you blow the seals?

[SpudRider]

Anyone know the correct fork oil for a Keeway Speed 125- year 2013 and the quantity in each leg?
Please post some photographs of your forks, IB. You might have the standard, Chinese USD forks. In any event, you might enjoy reading the following thread. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10266

[humanbeing]

Maybe similar to Suzuki EN125-2A
http://www.bike-parts-suz.com/suzuki-identification-bike-model_nn.php?ChildNavID=2182
Service Manual in Spanish: http://www.4shared.com/get/Y8LWA4la/

[irishbiker125]

i got to ask how did you blow the seals?
Didn't blow the seals just going to drain these, flush them and refill to remove any metal filings left over after machining. I usually do this with a new bike.

[irishbiker125]

Maybe similar to Suzuki EN125-2A
http://www.bike-parts-suz.com/suzuki-identification-bike-model_nn.php?ChildNavID=2182
Service Manual in Spanish: http://www.4shared.com/get/Y8LWA4la/
Yes it would be similar. Download is great, thanks.I have e-mailed the main dealer and he says he will find out and get back to me.
This means he obviously has never changed fork oil on a Keeway and he has been selling them since 2005!! Am I over the top looking to change fork oil on a new bike? I didn't think so but am open to suggestions.

[irishbiker125]

Please post some photographs of your forks, IB. You might have the standard, Chinese USD forks. In any event, you might enjoy reading the following thread. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10266
Great thread. Will post close up photos later.

[Weldangrind]

Am I over the top looking to change fork oil on a new bike? I didn't think so but am open to suggestions.

I think it's important. I wouldn't trust whatever fish oil is in there now.

[Corvairkid]

meh... i can all ways rebuild the forks later mine are 7 years old 2 years of which it sat out in the weather un ridden and they have never been touched that i know of or the previous owners has knowlage of but to each his own

[Weldangrind]

It's not about leaks (until they leak); it's about the damping that a quality oil provides, especially in the right quantity. Spud found some high quality oil that is less expensive than so-called fork oil.

[SpudRider]

Yes it would be similar. Download is great, thanks.I have e-mailed the main dealer and he says he will find out and get back to me.
This means he obviously has never changed fork oil on a Keeway and he has been selling them since 2005!! Am I over the top looking to change fork oil on a new bike? I didn't think so but am open to suggestions.
Changing the fork oil is not a difficult job, especially with your conventional forks. Selecting oil with the proper viscosity will definitely improve the front suspension on your bike. However, to avoid delays and frustration, it's important to have all the proper tools on hand before you start the job. ;)

Unlike Japanese motorcycles, which are designed to carry 150-pound riders, the Chinese bikes are designed to carry heavy loads. Owners of Japanese bikes in occidental countries usually install stiffer springs, et cetera, to beef up the bike's suspension to carry heavier riders. However, the Chinese bikes are built to carry entire families, and huge loads of cargo. Therefore, the Chinese springs are usually very strong, and perfect for larger, occidental riders. :)

Selecting the proper fork oil can greatly improve the ride of you Keyway motorcycle. I certainly encourage you continue with this project. :)

[SpudRider]

Anyone know the correct fork oil for a Keeway Speed 125- year 2013 and the quantity in each leg?
If your Chinese forks are typical, I would guess you need about 200cc of fork oil for each fork. As an initial experiment, I suggest you buy a quart of Dexron VI ATF. The inexpensive ATF will give you a good baseline to test the oil's viscosity, and it will also clean your forks very well in the process. ;)

[irishbiker125]

If your Chinese forks are typical, I would guess you need about 200cc of fork oil for each fork. As an initial experiment, I suggest you buy a quart of Dexron VI ATF. The inexpensive ATF will give you a good baseline to test the oil's viscosity, and it will also clean your forks very well in the process. ;)The quantities should be easy enough to figure out as I am going to remove both fork legs anyway to fit a pair of fork gaiters so it is only a matter of remove speedo cable,wheel off, mudguard off, tie back caliper out of the way, loosen and remove top nuts, remove springs,then unclamp both legs. Tip the contents into a measuring jug and make note of measurement.
Didn't know you could use ATF but if it would clean everything inside, great.
I was going to try:
http://www.motul.com/fr/en/products/92.
I was trying to see, based on my own weight (15 1/2 stone), if this would do as this is what I used on my Jawa 350 and I am very pleased with it. But of course the Jawa has a serious lump of an engine compared to the Keeway.

Or maybe I should go for this:
http://www.motul.com/fr/en/products/91

Anyway here are pictures of my forks:
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/4288/20130327174033.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/20130327174033.jpg/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1199/20130327174029.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/20130327174029.jpg/)

[SpudRider]

The quantities should be easy enough to figure out as I am going to remove both fork legs anyway to fit a pair of fork gaiters so it is only a matter of remove speedo cable,wheel off, mudguard off, tie back caliper out of the way, loosen and remove top nuts, remove springs,then unclamp both legs. Tip the contents into a measuring jug and make note of measurement.
Didn't know you could use ATF but if it would clean everything inside, great.
I was going to try:
http://www.motul.com/fr/en/products/92.
I was trying to see, based on my own weight (15 1/2 stone), if this would do as this is what I used on my Jawa 350 and I am very pleased with it. But of course the Jawa has a serious lump of an engine compared to the Keeway.

Or maybe I should go for this:
http://www.motul.com/fr/en/products/91
You method sounds good, IB. :) However, I would merely loosen the fork caps in the triple tree. I would remove the fork cap after I had removed the entire fork from the bike. I would then remove the spring after I had poured the old fork oil into a collecting pan.

Your links didn't lead to a specific fork oil. ;) However, I surmise you are considering these products.

Motul Fork Oil Expert
Medium 10W
http://www.motul.com/us/en-US/products/91?f%5Bapplication%5D=145&f%5Brange%5D=21

Motul Fork Oil Expert
Medium/Heavy 15W
http://www.motul.com/us/en-US/products/92?f%5Bapplication%5D=145&f%5Brange%5D=21

Considering the data sheet, I would recommend the 10W fork oil, which has a lower viscosity of 35.9 cSt at 40 degrees Celsius.

http://www.motul.com/system/product_descriptions/technical_data_sheets/91/Fork_oil_Expert_(GB).pdf?1301482582

However, I think a good, Dexron VI ATF would have an even better viscosity for your Chinese bike, as well as an even higher viscosity index. :tup: Also, the Dexron VI ATF should cost much less than Motul Fork Oil. In addition, you could use the leftover ATF to lubricate your drive chain. ;)

[humanbeing]

...Also, the Dexron VI ATF should cost much less than Motul Fork Oil...
NOT true in European countries. "Dexron VI" is the newer type that NOT much choice in market. China's price is more similar to states. http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15197395297

[SpudRider]

Dexron VI is the new standard for General Motors vehicles in North America. Therefore, I'm not surprised Dexron VI is not readily available everywhere. ;)

However, most ATFs sold everywhere have a viscosity around 36 cSt, which is the same as the Motul Expert, 10W fork oil. Indeed, most ATFs also have a higher viscosity index (VI) than the Motul fork oil. The VI indicates an oil's ability to maintain its viscosity over large temperature ranges. :) For example, Castrol TransMax DexMerc has a viscosity of 32 cSt, and a VI of 200, which is almost twice as high as the Motul fork oil. :tup:

http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/8671193633CB5AAA80257AA90053127B/$File/Castrol_Transmax_DEX_MERC_0460.pdf

[irishbiker125]

Dexron VI is the new standard for General Motors vehicles in North America. Therefore, I'm not surprised Dexron VI is not readily available everywhere. ;)

However, most ATFs sold everywhere have a viscosity around 36 cSt, which is the same as the Motul Expert, 10W fork oil. Indeed, most ATFs also have a higher viscosity index (VI) than the Motul fork oil. The VI indicates an oil's ability to maintain its viscosity over large temperature ranges. :) For example, Castrol TransMax DexMerc has a viscosity of 32 cSt, and a VI of 200, which is almost twice as high as the Motul fork oil. :tup:

http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/8671193633CB5AAA80257AA90053127B/$File/Castrol_Transmax_DEX_MERC_0460.pdf
Spud, your a gem. Great info and I really appreciate it. I have a litre of Valvoline ATF Maxlife which has almost identical properties to Dexron VI. I use the Valvoline ATF in the gearbox of my Enfield.I will let you know how I get on!

[katoranger]

I used the valvoline maxlife in my old buick. It was fine in there.

[SpudRider]

Spud, your a gem. Great info and I really appreciate it. I have a litre of Valvoline ATF Maxlife which has almost identical properties to Dexron VI. I use the Valvoline ATF in the gearbox of my Enfield.I will let you know how I get on!
I highly recommend the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF. :tup: I just put the Valvoline MaxLife ATF in my Zongshen and Honda XR650L forks. I also put the Valvoline MaxLife ATF in the outer chamber of my Honda CRF250X forks. :)

The Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF has a viscosity of 28.18 cSt, and an excellent VI of 173. :tup:

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf

This particular ATF seems to provide the perfect damping for my Zongshen forks. :D

[SpudRider]

You can read more about my experience using Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF as fork oil by reading post #48 and beyond in the following thread. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10266&page=4