07 FLHTC just turned 50K. I do all my own maintenance and the manual says to change fork oil at 50K. I'm quite capable of doing the work but does it really need it? Also the fuel filter is due. I don't know of anybody who has ever changed their fuel filter!!! PLEASE give me your thoughts and opinions on both matters...

 

I would do it. That fork oil gets pretty nasty and will improve your handling. As for the fuel filter.....look in one of your gas cans and tell me there is no dirt or particles in there. Today's gas is full of crap, depending on where you fill up. I would change that also just to have some piece of mind. Not really an emergency but just good preventative maintenance. Do a search for recent articles on the fuel filter change. There were some good ones with pictures and great walk through instructions.

 

Yes do them both. Once you pull the filter and blow through it you will be supprized at the blockage and the fork oil. Good time to go to a heaver weight if you want better handling. Stock oil is pretty light.

 

I would change the fork oil sooner.replaceing the fuel filter is proventative.

 

I have a picture to share with you about fuel filters, this is mine after 25k miles. As you can see how dirty it is. I can only imagine how your filter is after 50k.

Harley use to recommend changing fork oil every 10k miles on my old 1990 Ultra. I change mine every 2 years as a rule. If I ride more then 20k miles in a year then its done at the end of the season

 

My bike calls for annual/12,000 mile fork oil changes. At 20,000 miles a year I'm lucky to change it once every 18 months. It does come our pretty dirty.

The fuel filter? After 95,000 miles I thought that I really should do the filter. Had no symptoms of fuel issues and the bottom of the tank was spotless, including the pre-filter. ( Could never understand why an automotive based fuel injection system on a bike required regular fuel filter replacements when my car's injection system does not.)

Well I cut the old one open and it didn't appear to have needed changing either. The gas I buy around here apparently doesn't have too much crap in it. But it's changed, and I'll worry about it in another 100,000 miles or so....

 

Did the forks at 15k just to go to one weight heavier, and actually seems more supple too with the heavier weight, like it has better friction modifiers/ less stiction than the stock oil. Never changed the fuel filter in 37K so interested what is said about that