Fork oil recommendations

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 19th, 2009, 10:06 AM

You have plenty of disimilar metals and water...fundamentals of battery technology. That black is byproducts of corrosion mixed in with a slurry of metal particles and in the case of my Sporty clutch material. Do you really want to wait 50,000 miles to find out what is going on in there?

Yes it is true, every time you "crack open" your bike, you take a chance on foreign material entry. But preventative maintenance is just that...sometimes "exploratory research" is good for your health and the bikes!

softailhog · Nov 19th, 2009, 11:08 AM

Manual for my 02 Heritage says 20,000 miles, I waited until 40k. I changed to a heavier oil (HD) and the difference is tremendous. My oil wasn't discolored but changed a buddy's bike (same year and miles) and his oil looked dirty. After doing it I wished I had made the change sooner but because of the ride and handling, not because I thought the oil needed changing.

maineultraclassic · Nov 19th, 2009, 11:11 AM

When I installed my chrome front end at about 25000 miles, the stock fork oil was nasty. Just because HD recommends waiting to 50000 miles doesn't make it right, if they said 100000 miles would that be right?

I'll be changing mine again this winter at approx. 43000 miles.........I'm using the S/E heavy racing oil in my Ultra........stiffened up the front end and made the ride much better.

Steve

smitty901 · Nov 19th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Change when ever you want but it is a waste. You can tell little to nothing about oil by looking at some oils turn black as soon as you put them in.
You can bet if there was a reason to recommend chnginh it sooner Hd would.
Following this line of think we should just chnage every oil and lube ever time we ride .
It just makes no sense.
If you have bad seals water can get in you know by the seepage on the tubes then fix seal and change oil.
Any time you even think front seals are leaking it is a good idea to find out a deal with it.
never had any problems with a front fork

Retrop · Nov 20th, 2009, 10:05 PM

A valid reason for changing out fork oil before the 50,000 mark would be to stiffen up the front a little. Refilling with the Harley Heavy will do nicely as it will lessen the fork dive usually associated with a high speed stop. You need two bottles for a change-out and like the manual says "Measure carefully".

Nov 19th, 2009, 10:06 AM	#11
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,945 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations You have plenty of disimilar metals and water...fundamentals of battery technology. That black is byproducts of corrosion mixed in with a slurry of metal particles and in the case of my Sporty clutch material. Do you really want to wait 50,000 miles to find out what is going on in there? Yes it is true, every time you "crack open" your bike, you take a chance on foreign material entry. But preventative maintenance is just that...sometimes "exploratory research" is good for your health and the bikes! __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Nov 19th, 2009, 11:08 AM	#12
softailhog Play The Throttle Ride: 2002 FLSTC Join Date: Aug 21st, 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 225 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations Manual for my 02 Heritage says 20,000 miles, I waited until 40k. I changed to a heavier oil (HD) and the difference is tremendous. My oil wasn't discolored but changed a buddy's bike (same year and miles) and his oil looked dirty. After doing it I wished I had made the change sooner but because of the ride and handling, not because I thought the oil needed changing. __________________ The only thing better than lunch is FREE LUNCH!

Nov 19th, 2009, 11:11 AM	#13
maineultraclassic Start The Engine Ride: 2005 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic FLHTCUI Join Date: Aug 25th, 2008 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 15 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations When I installed my chrome front end at about 25000 miles, the stock fork oil was nasty. Just because HD recommends waiting to 50000 miles doesn't make it right, if they said 100000 miles would that be right? I'll be changing mine again this winter at approx. 43000 miles.........I'm using the S/E heavy racing oil in my Ultra........stiffened up the front end and made the ride much better. Steve __________________ 2005 Ultra Classic Powered by Big Boyz Heads, Woods Cams, SERT, Hillside TB, Doherty PowerPacc, Fatcat Exhaust, and Cometic Gaskets

Nov 19th, 2009, 01:27 PM	#14
smitty901 Retired Moderators Ride: 2007 Road glide Join Date: Jan 1st, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,953 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations Change when ever you want but it is a waste. You can tell little to nothing about oil by looking at some oils turn black as soon as you put them in. You can bet if there was a reason to recommend chnginh it sooner Hd would. Following this line of think we should just chnage every oil and lube ever time we ride . It just makes no sense. If you have bad seals water can get in you know by the seepage on the tubes then fix seal and change oil. Any time you even think front seals are leaking it is a good idea to find out a deal with it. never had any problems with a front fork __________________ The Infantry leads the way

Nov 20th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#15
Retrop Play The Throttle Join Date: Aug 21st, 2008 Posts: 171 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations A valid reason for changing out fork oil before the 50,000 mark would be to stiffen up the front a little. Refilling with the Harley Heavy will do nicely as it will lessen the fork dive usually associated with a high speed stop. You need two bottles for a change-out and like the manual says "Measure carefully". __________________ LIKE A ROCK, THE PATRIOT GUARD IS ALWAYS THERE

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