1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

83 forks, oil level and weight

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by Chayzed Pilot, Mar 18, 2011.

  1. Chayzed Pilot Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    So Cal
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2004 TC450,1978 390CR,1983 430 Wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    A gaggle of them
    Hey guys, I am refreshing a set of 83 40mm forks. What fork oil (weight) and volume has worked for you guys. I haven't ridden these forks for years. I am a middle of the pack expert. Mostly going to be doing D37 Gran Prixs. I remember years ago we ran ATF or something like 5 weight.

    Thanks, Scott
  2. firecrackerkid Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Grand Coulee, Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    78 390 OR, 84 250WR, 83 175WR
    Just bought 20wt fork oil for my 84 forks. going to fill up tomorrow. Lots of opinions on this. If you search the boards you will find a whole bunch of good info. The consensus seems to be 6" from top of fork with springs out and fully compressed. Should work out to about 500ml.
  3. Husq.fleet Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Pendleton Oregon
    20WT is what I run for my "carcass weight, 290lbs" 500ml also. I started with 15wt and 450ml, too light.
  4. HuskyT Moderator

    Location:
    Corona, California
    THis is what I have in my rebuilt 83 forks... Race Tech Ultra Slick US3 Fork oil (15wt ) Oil Level is 120 mm below top of the fork with the spring out (or an airgap of 120MM)

    Race Tech in Corona built them for me for Aggressive Intermediate Motocross...

    Note: still waiting to try them out... working on the engine build now...

    I'm 6ft 240.
  5. LEADVILLEHUSKY Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    COLORADO
    16 ozs of 15 weight bel ray! works great on my 83 cr 500. silcolene 10 weight was way to harsh, hondaline 10 weight worked well also. 6'2 190
  6. Chayzed Pilot Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    So Cal
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2004 TC450,1978 390CR,1983 430 Wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    A gaggle of them
    Thanks guys, I'm close to 200 lbs with gear. I know that alot of different oils have different charecteristics as far as viscosity. Most of my riding will be a mix of desert and MX so I know it is very hard to get the perfect balance. You all have given me a good base line. And BTW I don't deal in millimeters or millileters. SAE works just fine for me.
  7. wrenchinremo Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Fruit Heights, Utah
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    390 OR, Silver streak, 2 500 XC's,
    Other Motorcycles:
    81 KTM 495, 510 TX, WXC 610
    Hey Scott, I'm about your weight (without gear) and ability. I have 4 bikes with these forks. I mix a "custom" blend 10wt. and 15wt. 500cc. My shop laughed at me when I had them order PJ1, all they want to sell is syn./new brands. what would they do if I asked for Golden Spectro? They got it for me and my 390 that I just freshened up works great. WFO! Hope it helps, Remo
  8. HuskyT Moderator

    Location:
    Corona, California
    I have a steel scale ruler ... mm on one side inches on the other...BTW ... pretty easy to read either way LOL

    Good Luck CP...Let us know how it works out for you! Especially if you take her out to Glen Helen!

    T
  9. subarumy98 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1983 500XC
    HI

    500ml per leg of 10W with Race tech Gold Valves is perfect for me.
    1.78m and 78kg.

    You can go to 15W with Gold valves too.

    1983 500 XC.