Fork oil

whiplush · #1 04-09-2005, 06:45 PM

I helped a friend put on some chrome lower legs on his new anniversary Fatboy last night. The fork oil we got at the dealer was Type B and was clear but the oil that came out of the forks was red as blood. Whats the difference and did he put the wrong stuff back in? I have lower legs and the same oil waiting to do mine but hate to put the wrong stuff in. Thanks

jcc/tx · #2 04-09-2005, 07:08 PM

I expect the oil that came out was plain old auto transmission fluid. It is commonly used for fork oil. Seems I remember it is 20W, where-as fork oil can be 10W or heavier as desired; again, based on my foggy memory. I am sure someone will come along and correct me if wrong.
I have used ATF and it worked ok.

scatterbrain · #3 04-11-2005, 03:49 PM

I agree with jcc, it sounds like you drained ATF outta the forks. I, too have heard that it's ok to use. As for fork oil, look up what is recommended for the bike - grade/weight, as well as how much oil to use in each fork leg. Going to a thicker oil would give you a firmer ride (for instance, using 15wt instead of 10wt), and I've had good luck adding about 10% (by volume) of Slick 50 to the fork oil - helps cut down on "stiction" and seems to make the forks work more smoothly.

whiplush · #4 04-12-2005, 02:36 AM

Weird that it would be ATF. It was a brand new bike with 120 miles on it from riding it home. Harley don't put their own fork oil in their bikes kinda makes me wonder why I should, lol.[sm=dontgetit.gif]

pococj · #5 04-12-2005, 08:21 AM

HD has at least 2 different fork oils; Type B is the older kind, and a newer version, that I don't remember what the "Type" is. IIRC, it is red, though.

I've still got a can of the Type B from the mid-70s sitting on the shelf. Don't ask me why, 'cause there ain't enough in it to lube a p-ant's muttersickle.

AceArt · #6 04-12-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: pococj
I've still got a can of the Type B from the mid-70s sitting on the shelf. Don't ask me why, 'cause there ain't enough in it to lube a p-ant's muttersickle.

It must have chrome on it somewhere and you just enjoy polishing it!

12Stones · #7 04-12-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

It must have chrome on it somewhere and you just enjoy polishing it!

Now that's funny!

whiplush · #8 04-12-2005, 12:40 PM

Thanks Skip, I was hoping you'd chime in, Do you reccomend anything better?

pococj · #9 04-12-2005, 07:46 PM

I've never been a Rodney RoadRacer type, so the HD handling, mediocre as it is, has always been good enough for me. Never used anything but the MoCo stuff.