So i replaced the seals on the ST3 this weekend and went with a 7 weight fork oil.
The bike has OEM Showa forks on it. First off anyone got an idea of the oil level?
I set it at 120mm but have no clue. The other issue I noticed is that I have way to
much rebound. it's way to quick and I'm worried about getting "bounce" when riding
aggressively. Since the forks don't have a rebound damper I would slow this down
by a heavier weight oil?
Won't drop any names but I know a reputable flat track suspension tuner that swears by STP Oil Treatment to fine tune fork oil... And yes, make sure yer levels are correct first.
I'd slow rebound down by re-valving the rebound shim stack. Heavier oil will add more compression damping as well and it'll probably spike on high (shaft) speed hits - maybe the trade off would be worth it to you though. You could try 10wt and see what you think.
btw it'll have rebound damping, just not a rebound damping adjuster. If there were no rebound damper oil weight would be irrelevant.
If by chance the showas on that bike have compression in one side and rebound in the other (I don't think they do, but I've never messed with ST showas) you can play with thicker oil in just the rebound side.
^ I realize there is rebound damping, just not a rebound adjustment screw.
In talking to LT Snyder he told me that a lighter oil weight and lower oil level will
slow the rebound. The main problem I am having is finding the correct oil level to begin with
He's famous, but if that's what he said, he's also probably wrong. Lighter oil will speed the rebound. Lowering the level will very, very slightly slow the rebound, but mostly the portion of the rebound from fully compressed to half-compressed.
Oil level will be in the service manual I'd think.
Yeah I was told the fork oil level is in the service manual so i have to purchase one.
I thought it was odd that LT said a lighter oil would slow it down. That just makes NO
logical sense to me. Heavy oil moves slower.
You can download it for 3.5 Euros at http://www.duc.nu/manuals/ (http://www.duc.nu/manuals/)
They accept payment via paypal.
Thanks for that link LT recommended it to me as well.
So one of the guys on LT's message boards had the manual and cut/pasted the info I needed
and I thought I would post here for reference for others that may need the info.
Per the 2005 ST3 shop manual:
Hold the leg vertical to measure the level. Make sure that the level is identical in both fork legs.
Recommended fork oil: SHELL ADVANCE FORK 7.5 or DONAX TAStandard
Volume: 0.504 dm3 per leg
Standard level: 109 mm
The amount of oil in the fork legs influences behaviour at the end of thecompression stroke. A higher oil level increases compression loading; a lower oil level decreases compression loading.