Fork oil change
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
Fork oil change
Has anyone changed out the standard fork oil for the screaming eagle heavy oil to help with front end diving? or is it a waist of time?
Putting any aftermarket mono tube kits in, are out of the question right now.
2015 street glide special
Putting any aftermarket mono tube kits in, are out of the question right now.
2015 street glide special
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Lynnhood, WA
I'm in the same boat as far as no major changes right now, so I'm doing the SE heavy fluid. I've got the forks off and disassembled. Strange thing - the fluid in one fork was brown, the other red like atf. Anyway, should have things back together in a few days. I'll keep you informed. I've read numerous reviews that said it made a substantial difference, we'll see.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
From doing searches on this subject, many people find that it's a big help in reducing front end dive and provides better feedback in cornering. I just got my fork sliders back from being powdercoated so I'll be switching to the heavy oil. ('16 RGS)
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 177
From: Cleburne, Texas
Did it on my '07, but haven't done it yet on my '15. Made a big difference on the '07. Did not disassemble the forks at all. Took off the fill caps and unscrewed the drain plugs. Old fluid drained out and added proper amount of new SE fluid. Not sure if the '15 can be done this way though. Forks may be a little different.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 877
From: Iowa
The heavier fork oil can help, but if you are going to do that might as well install some Race Tech Gold Valve emulators as well. They give you more tuning for corners and high speeds with better response at low speeds than just the damping rods in the standard setup.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 103
From: Lake County, CA
rparnel1 the forks are different. No drain hole at bottom of forks. You have to remove them from the triple tree. Remove the upper plug, turn upside down and drain. I was debating to either go with heavier oil or the HD Premium single cartridge kit.
I ended up with the HD kit. No more front end dive, a lot stiffer now. Maybe too stiff.
I ended up with the HD kit. No more front end dive, a lot stiffer now. Maybe too stiff.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 476
Likes: 133
From: BlueGrass
What's wrong with front end "diving"? Why on earth would you want front forks so stiff that they don't move when 80% of bike's weight shifts up front?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 103
From: Lake County, CA
I didn't like the front end dive. Way too much dive for me. Yeah it's stiffer, like I said probably too stiff. When I get some money saved will be going with Ohlins rear shocks and then save more for his front end suspension. Hopefully it's better.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 193
From: ohio
while it stiffened it up a bit, still has movement, with the new shocks, felt like a rocking horse