Fork oil recommendations

sddurbin · Nov 18th, 2009, 07:22 PM

Getting ready to change out the fork oil when my '08 FLHT hits 20,000 miles. Any recommendations as to what may work better than stock HD oil? Just wanting some ideas. Thanks!

Scott in IL ('08 FLHT-The Mistress)

TQuentin1 · Nov 18th, 2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sddurbin

Getting ready to change out the fork oil when my '08 FLHT hits 20,000 miles. Any recommendations as to what may work better than stock HD oil? Just wanting some ideas. Thanks!

Scott in IL ('08 FLHT-The Mistress)

Check this out:

Fork Oil Poll - Harley Davidson Community

TQ

~~Drumrguy~~ · Nov 18th, 2009, 07:58 PM

You could run fork oil from Amsoil, But I am running Harley fork oil in my Ultra Classic and it does fine.

sddurbin · Nov 18th, 2009, 08:45 PM

Oops, guess I should have consulted my service manual first. I was looking at a vehicle maintenance schedule from the service dept. of Myrtle Beach H-D that someone posted, and they recommend it at 20,000 on the touring bikes.

JJDH · Nov 18th, 2009, 09:08 PM

spectro type E is great. the damping is just right.....

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 18th, 2009, 10:31 PM

I would change it at 20,000 miles IF you feel it is giving the need to stiffen up things a bit or having issues AND if you are concerned that oil may have deteriorated with you are doing service in the area anyway (adjusting ride height or just inspection of fluid condition).

Personally, I changed my fork oil on my Katana at 1500 miles then 10,000 miles and at that mark it was not "honey colored, but a very dark brown...changed it in my current Sportster because I did not want to take a chance on finding out later, and glad I did because it was the same, a very dark grey/brown. It is one of those things that are not critical, but a good idea especially if you want to check on fluid condition. As Smitty and others have suggested, measure number of fluid ounces comes out of there and compare to specification.

bamorris2 · Nov 19th, 2009, 12:43 AM

I agree with JJDH...Spectro "Type E" is perfect for touring bikes. Just changed to it about 1000 miles ago. Couldn't be happier with the weight and performance of the fluid.

ooheritage · Nov 19th, 2009, 06:15 AM

I don't know about touring bikes, but I changed mine on my flstc and used PJ1 Fork Tuner fork oil 30 wt. it works great compared to whatever stock oil was in it.

sddurbin · Nov 19th, 2009, 06:57 AM

Thanks to everyone for their input and ideas. I'll keep the factory oil intact for now.

1fltri4me · Nov 19th, 2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJDH

spectro type E is great. the damping is just right.....

Yep,I have to agree.

I was going to wait for the 50K mark to change mine.Ended up changing it at 40K.That oil was blacker than black!

Nov 18th, 2009, 07:22 PM	#1
sddurbin Start The Engine Ride: 2008 Electra Glide FLHT Join Date: Jun 22nd, 2008 Posts: 30	Fork oil recommendations Getting ready to change out the fork oil when my '08 FLHT hits 20,000 miles. Any recommendations as to what may work better than stock HD oil? Just wanting some ideas. Thanks! Scott in IL ('08 FLHT-The Mistress)

Nov 18th, 2009, 07:58 PM	#3
~~Drumrguy~~ Account Removed Ride: 2005 Ultra Classic Join Date: Oct 17th, 2009 Location: Oakdale, Pa. Posts: 592 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations You could run fork oil from Amsoil, But I am running Harley fork oil in my Ultra Classic and it does fine.

Nov 18th, 2009, 08:45 PM	#4
sddurbin Start The Engine Ride: 2008 Electra Glide FLHT Join Date: Jun 22nd, 2008 Posts: 30	Re: Fork oil recommendations Oops, guess I should have consulted my service manual first. I was looking at a vehicle maintenance schedule from the service dept. of Myrtle Beach H-D that someone posted, and they recommend it at 20,000 on the touring bikes.

Nov 18th, 2009, 09:08 PM	#5
JJDH Contributor$ Ride: 2010 street glide Join Date: Jun 28th, 2009 Posts: 228 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations spectro type E is great. the damping is just right.....

Nov 18th, 2009, 10:31 PM	#6
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,962 My Mood:	Re: Fork oil recommendations I would change it at 20,000 miles IF you feel it is giving the need to stiffen up things a bit or having issues AND if you are concerned that oil may have deteriorated with you are doing service in the area anyway (adjusting ride height or just inspection of fluid condition). Personally, I changed my fork oil on my Katana at 1500 miles then 10,000 miles and at that mark it was not "honey colored, but a very dark brown...changed it in my current Sportster because I did not want to take a chance on finding out later, and glad I did because it was the same, a very dark grey/brown. It is one of those things that are not critical, but a good idea especially if you want to check on fluid condition. As Smitty and others have suggested, measure number of fluid ounces comes out of there and compare to specification. __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< Last edited by NEWHD74FAN; Nov 19th, 2009 at 10:01 AM. Reason: Clarify

Nov 19th, 2009, 12:43 AM	#7
bamorris2 New Family Ride: 09 RKC Join Date: Jun 16th, 2009 Posts: 9	Re: Fork oil recommendations I agree with JJDH...Spectro "Type E" is perfect for touring bikes. Just changed to it about 1000 miles ago. Couldn't be happier with the weight and performance of the fluid.

Nov 19th, 2009, 06:15 AM	#8
ooheritage Warming The Wheels Ride: 2000 heritage softail Join Date: Sep 3rd, 2009 Location: oklahoma Posts: 108	Re: Fork oil recommendations I don't know about touring bikes, but I changed mine on my flstc and used PJ1 Fork Tuner fork oil 30 wt. it works great compared to whatever stock oil was in it.

Nov 19th, 2009, 06:57 AM	#9
sddurbin Start The Engine Ride: 2008 Electra Glide FLHT Join Date: Jun 22nd, 2008 Posts: 30	Re: Fork oil recommendations Thanks to everyone for their input and ideas. I'll keep the factory oil intact for now.

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Fork oil recommendations

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