Hydraulic Clutch Fluid

[CR 250 MXer]

My friend just bought a 200 MXC and he saw that the hydraulic clutch fluid was pretty low. The local KTM dealer told him a bottle of fluid from KTM would cost $20 for the smallest bottle. What do KTM guys use in their clutch master cylinders? Does he have to pay $20 for the KTM stuff?

 

[sharp]

Do a search in this forum. I remember a while back the specific subject was discussed--- mineral oil, baby oil and fork oil were prefrences of several that replied. All sounded alot less than the $20 snake oil.

 

[KTMRYDER]

I RIDE A 2001 KTM SX125 AND IT HAS A HYDRAULIC CLUTH ALSO AS YOU KNOW THEY ALL HAVE. I ASK MY TEAM LEADER HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHANGE THE FLUID AND HE SAIS HARDLEY EVER. WELL I WAS AT MY SPONSORS SHOP AND I SAW A LITTLE BOTTLE OF THE FLUID AND I THINK IT WAS LIKE 15 TO 20 BUCKS. BUT ONCE YOU BUY A BOTTLE IT WILL LAST A LONG TIME BACUSE YOU DON'T CHANGE YOUR CLUTCH FLUID LIKE YOU NORMALLY WOULD.
HOPE I WAS SOME HELP!

 

[ktm_vet_rydr]

as per sharp, there are a few posts about this topic. i own a 520 and a 380. i back bleed the clutch fluid with auto atf fluid as per enduro engineering. the pull is less than the mineral oil and even less when combined with a steel braided line and lever from ee. you can reach them at www.enduroeng.com you do not need to purchase a 20$ bottle of fluid.

 

[Shaw520]

Type F- ATF, or 5wt fork oil.

 

[vegli]

Hi,

I to have been using ATF (for over a year)as per conversation with Alan at EE also. It has done very well and the pull is lighter.

Vern

 

[Coach in ND]

2.5 wt fork oil is the best I found so far. I've used them all. ATF, mineral oil, baby oil etc. and the 2.5wt fork oil brought the best results as far as the lightest pull.

Coach

 

[jeb]

All good suggestions. I use fork oil in all of our KTM's clutch MC's. Just don't use brake fluid.

 

[Jaybird]

I find it humorous everytime I read someone using baby oil or drugstore mineral oil...LOL. (mineral oil from the drugstore is NOT mineral hydralic fluid contrary to popular belief...lol)

Type F ATF works mucho fine. (approx. 7.5 wt.)
<----another vote for the braided, steel line.

 

[TM-Frank]

Jaybird, I don't know if Babyoil is classified as mineral oil or not. ;) Nevertheless it works in the clutch.
When it doesn't hurt baby's backside the precious Magura seals should be able to endure that stuff, too, don't you think?

 

[marcv125]

Ya know even though i dont have a hydraulic i would stick with the $20 bottle from KTM. They make it for a reason right. Just my .2

 

[Shaw520]

marcv,
How you gonna buy a $20 bottle of KTM fluid with only 2 cents???? :think: ;)

 

[Jaybird]

LOL....good point, Shaw!
marc, the $20 a bottle IS the reason.

Frank, I've never actually seen testing of baby-oil on seals...who knows? Your logic sounds good though, I say use it and be happy.
I took a look at a bottle of Johnsons baby oil....looks to be a bit thicker than ATF. (shrug)