GSXR stock damper oil

I am WAAAAAAY to cheap to buy a nice adjustable steering damper. I've heard that some guys have just put a heavy weight oil in the damper and it works great. What is the weight oil that is in there/what do I replace it with? Thanks guys

 

90wt

 

I used 20 wt fork oil.

Are you going to disassemble the whole thing, or just use the drain bolt?

 

^20wt. I did it on my bike and a friends bike. I inevitably ended up getting rid of it for a Scotts again. Just like the feel of the aftermarket one a lot more as well as the ability to adjust it. Even if the difference is all in my head, most of the game is mental anyway.

 

My plan was just to drain and fill. Thanks for the help!

 

For the drain and fill...I was struggling to get all the air out when putting in the oil.

Solution was to completly imerse the entire damper in the oil, while submerged in oil I ran the damper through its stroke multiple times. Each stroke it would suck in some oil and spit out some air.

Seemed to work for me

 

mixed 5w and 10w for 7.5w as 20w was WAY too heavy and the bike didn't want to turn. I had a no name damper which mounted in the stock position I picked up for $40 or so and worked great.

 

I must SucK, i can't tell a difference how hard is it to change the oil, and will i notice a diff. in counter steering???

 

I would try 10wt for a track bike. In my opinion 20wt is way too heavy. I've used one of those cheap, gsxr dampers with 15 and thought it was a bit much, but I guess a lot depends on your machine, the track, and your riding style.

To change the fluid in the oem style I clamp the body of the damper by the mounting hole in a vise. Then I fill a container with fluid so the hole in the damper is immersed and pump away. It may take several times.

 

Don't do this, it's a waste of oil and it makes a mess.


FWIW I used 20wt fork oil and it works like a charm on street and track.


Anyway, once you've opened it up and pumped out all of the old oil, just rig up something like this and keep pumping till all air is out, couldn't be simpler.

 

^^^Sweet thanks for the pic:up:

 

Hmmm. I guess I didn't waste or spill a drop, but thanks for the photo.

 

I have 15w in mine. Works pretty well, and while an aftermarket damper would probably be better, I can always go to 20w if I needed.

 

has anyone did this to the 09 GSXR damper? i did it to my 06 race bike but not sure about the weight of oil to put into the electronic damper, im thinking 10w.

 

Yup....curious to know if this swap even works with the oem elec. dampers?

 

It should.....several people on GDC have done it.


The stock damper has 2 big issues

1) the oil is very lightweight

2) it's 1/2 full of air

 

As goofy as this may sound I used threading/cutting oil for mine. The oil's not as thick as what some have used but it's done a great job.