I had three motorcycles, and they want you to use MOTORCYCLE OIL, which can be $9.00
a quart. It's JUST motor oil, and that's what I used, on ALL THREE. Synthetic, but that's
what I used. Two of my JAP bikes said to use JASO certified, I didn't... Since it was only spring
or summer use, I used 20W50 syhthetic oil, and never had issues, in all three. I had a '87
Honda 500 Silverwing, '04 Vulcan 800, then an '07 Boulevard C50T. I used Synthetic MOTOR
OIL, period. Specifying an oil is a marketing scam to get you to pay higher prices for a branded
item.
As I said, when CHF came out, they all simply rushed to it, and they all came from using Dexron III,
which is ATF. Then not a synthetic, but was ATF. Now, ATF+4 is the best to use in power-steering
systems, because of it's formulation for the shitty Ultradrive transmission (UDT). If you were to put
Dexron in an UDT, you'll burn out the clutches. ATF +3/+4 had to be formulated FOR Chrysler as a less
"grabby" fluid because of how the UDT shifts; by simultaneously slipping into gear while slipping out
of prior gear. Dexron causes a momentary bind-up during that slipping, as if both gears were engaged
at the same time. Well, they kind of are, but the properties of ATF+3/+4 cause a slip, and not a grab
at that point in shifting. The notorious BUMP SHIFT is also this momentary bind-up, which happens
during down-shifting, a clear indicator you need to change the ATF+3/+4. ATF+3 only has a 30,000 mile
life. ATF+4 is supposed to be a "lifetime" fluid, and mercedes uses it in their sealed NAG1 5-speed Auto
Trans, which is also used by Dodge, Jeep... While you can change the fluid and filter in the NAG1, you're
not supposed to have to.
When someone says "Will last the lifetime of the unit" Well, when it goes bad in 130,000 miles, that WAS its
lifetime. If it went bad in 30,000 miles, that was also it's lifetime. It's a play on words to make you
think it will last forever...
ATF as power steering fluid is common and well practiced. Topping off is one thing, MIXING is another.
If you want to use ATF, then flush all the CHF and use a synthetic ATF. If you're a tad low, a top off with
ATF won't hurt it. I used ATF on all my power racks, I refuse to bow to the corporate hype for an AIRCRAFT
grade oil, and well, I'm driving a car, not shooting down MIGs at a cold 30,000 feet.