Can anyone explain the steps in changing the front fork fluid on a 2004 softail deuce?

 

Sure its really easy, first get some heavy fork oil, not the OEM stuff, trust me you'll like it a lot better. Then get yourself 2 new fork oil screws with washers for your lower legs (they are good for 1 time use). On your top triple tree, directly in line with the fork, you will see a large (1 1/2 or 1 3/4) bolt, this is the fork tube cap, remove it. Then remove the fork oil drain screws in the lower legs of the fork. Oil will gush out (have catch can or pan ready) in a hurry. Let it drain, put new screws in the hole, then refill with 11.6 oz of new fork oil in the fork through the fork tube cap (the removed bolt on top of triple clamp). Repeat for the other side. Sit on your bike and compress the front end a few times to make sure the new oil is where its supposed to be and then wash your front tire, because you will most likely have fork oil on it.

 

I appreciate you taking the time to answer and your service to our country.

 

Kerny welcome to the forum brotha! Sonar Chris detailed the fork oil change very well. The best ~$60 you can ever spend at your local Harley dealer is a maintenance manual. It will pay for itself many many times over and save you a lot of money !

 

I am getting ready to change the fork fluid from type E to the SE Heavy. Do I need to raise the bike off of the front tire to do this job, or can I just change one tube at a time? Will there be much spring tension on the tube caps if I use this method? Thank you for any assistance!

 

What difference in ride quality does the heavy duty for oil do?