ZX12R Fork Oil
- ross79
- KSRC Member
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:16 am
- Bike: Suzuki
- State: Victoria
- Location: Castlemaine
ZX12R Fork Oil
One of my fork seals has started leaking and the oil in the forks is due for a change. I've got the fork seals but don't know what fork oil to get.
SOLD 2000 ZX12R .
- Gosling1
- Team Donut
- Posts: 13823
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:30 pm
- Bike: Z900
- State: ACT
- Location: Anarchy Road
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
stick with the stock viscosity. Unless you do a lot of 2-up fully-loaded touring. Then, maybe go up a grade or 2.
For track-use only, you can drop as low as 5 weight, but you will need to ensure the rest of the fork set-up is good for the track as well.

For track-use only, you can drop as low as 5 weight, but you will need to ensure the rest of the fork set-up is good for the track as well.

".....shut the gate on this one Maxie......it's the ducks guts !!............."
- Blue14
- KSRC Regular
- Posts: 919
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 7:57 pm
- Bike: ZX14R
- State: Victoria
- Location: Kilmore, Vic
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
Gos you know farking everything man.. Thats why you are the KSRC legend.. 

07 ZX14 - How fast ?? As fast as i want to go !!
- Smitty
- VIP MEMBER
- Posts: 10910
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm
- Bike: ZX12R
- State: Victoria
- Location: 3rd rock from the Sun
- Contact:
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
stock is 5W oil howeverross79 wrote:One of my fork seals has started leaking and the oil in the forks is due for a change. I've got the fork seals but don't know what fork oil to get.
you can go 7.5 W or 10w (max)
I would recommend 5W or maybe 7.5W if you do a lot of hi speed stuff
given the amount of adjustability in the 12's front legs stick maybe
with 5w and get the suspension right
hth
Smitty
GOTTA LUV the 12R!!
- ross79
- KSRC Member
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:16 am
- Bike: Suzuki
- State: Victoria
- Location: Castlemaine
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
Thanks for the responses. I think I'll go with the 5W as I mainly ride to work and back. I do the odd bit of 2 up riding now that Kristy's bike is sold.
SOLD 2000 ZX12R .
- Slow and wobbly
- KSRC Contributor
- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:51 am
- Bike: Scooter
- State: Victoria
- Location: Melbourne
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
Here is a question for discussion.
If the oil in a fork leg is sealed from the outside environment, there are no contaminents such as friction material from the clutch, carbon deposits and unburnt fuel to mess with it like engine oil suffers. How come it "ages" and requires replacing? - Dud fork seals not withstanding.
If the oil in a fork leg is sealed from the outside environment, there are no contaminents such as friction material from the clutch, carbon deposits and unburnt fuel to mess with it like engine oil suffers. How come it "ages" and requires replacing? - Dud fork seals not withstanding.
I got a sweater for my birthday. I realy wanted a moaner or a screamer.


- Neka79
- Extreme Post Whore :-)
- Posts: 13115
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:20 am
- Bike: Z900
- State: South Australia
- Location: Adelaide......nah its cool..no really!!
- Contact:
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
heat...friction would cause heat....age...Slow and wobbly wrote:Here is a question for discussion.
If the oil in a fork leg is sealed from the outside environment, there are no contaminents such as friction material from the clutch, carbon deposits and unburnt fuel to mess with it like engine oil suffers. How come it "ages" and requires replacing? - Dud fork seals not withstanding.
Neka
2006 Zeddy 1000
1996 VS series 2 S pak Ute

2006 Zeddy 1000
1996 VS series 2 S pak Ute

- Smitty
- VIP MEMBER
- Posts: 10910
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm
- Bike: ZX12R
- State: Victoria
- Location: 3rd rock from the Sun
- Contact:
Re: ZX12R Fork Oil
NathNeka79 wrote:heat...friction would cause heat....age...Slow and wobbly wrote:Here is a question for discussion.
If the oil in a fork leg is sealed from the outside environment, there are no contaminents such as friction material from the clutch, carbon deposits and unburnt fuel to mess with it like engine oil suffers. How come it "ages" and requires replacing? - Dud fork seals not withstanding.
spot on
and yes...oil wears out (it stops doing its job)
GOTTA LUV the 12R!!