Fork Oil Change
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 54
From: Olean NY
Fork Oil Change
Guys, What's a fair price to have the dealer change fork oil on my 2014 Road King. I have a batwing fairing with tunes on the way and want to use a slightly heavier fork oil. It looks like doing it myself would be a PIA. Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 54
From: Olean NY
I've been know to turn a wrench or two. Looks like a pain with no drain hole
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
Hopefully someone else will verify or correct.as I own a pre-Rushmore machine. From the diagrams on Ronnie's site it appears that the same bolt that holds the lowest internal part in place on the bottom of the fork leg also functions as the drain hole when removed. My concern is that the top plug on the fork tube appears to no longer have a bolt screwed into it so there is no easy way to install new fluid at the top. That leaves the only shade tree option as removing the fork leg from the triple tree and turning it upside down and adding new fluid through the "drain hole". Is this correct?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Hopefully someone else will verify or correct.as I own a pre-Rushmore machine. From the diagrams on Ronnie's site it appears that the same bolt that holds the lowest internal part in place on the bottom of the fork leg also functions as the drain hole when removed. My concern is that the top plug on the fork tube appears to no longer have a bolt screwed into it so there is no easy way to install new fluid at the top. That leaves the only shade tree option as removing the fork leg from the triple tree and turning it upside down and adding new fluid through the "drain hole". Is this correct?
Also, reassembly can be a chore if you don't have a specially tool to compress the spring and set the cap; although, some have made do with making a home build press or what have you.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 54
From: Olean NY
This is correct. Furthermore, you have drain and fill (and measure) the fluid with the Spring assembly (guts) removed - so full disassembly is required unlike 2013 and below forks.
Also, reassembly can be a chore if you don't have a specially tool to compress the spring and set the cap; although, some have made do with making a home build press or what have you.
Also, reassembly can be a chore if you don't have a specially tool to compress the spring and set the cap; although, some have made do with making a home build press or what have you.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
This is correct. Furthermore, you have drain and fill (and measure) the fluid with the Spring assembly (guts) removed - so full disassembly is required unlike 2013 and below forks.
Also, reassembly can be a chore if you don't have a specially tool to compress the spring and set the cap; although, some have made do with making a home build press or what have you.
Also, reassembly can be a chore if you don't have a specially tool to compress the spring and set the cap; although, some have made do with making a home build press or what have you.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3,257
Likes: 3,710
From: oxford, pa
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 54
From: Olean NY
Just got off the phone with my dealer. I think I will remove the forks myself and take them to the dealer. I will have them replace seals and everything. Should be about 1.5 hours labor. Much more if they did the entire job. He recommended the Screaming Eagle fork oil. I think that may be too heavy. I have heard of some people mixing SE/Regular HD fork oil 50/50. I may do that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Thank you for the confirmation on the lack of a fill hole on top. I agree with your filling statement for a DRY FILL. For a fluid CHANGE, replacing the quantity that came out with a like quantity to fill should yield the same fluid level as the previous fill. Spring in or out is not a factor in this case, presuming no leak since the previous fill. I removed the top cap on my pre-Rushmore fork tube and getting it reinstalled without the specialty tool is one of the most difficult "shade tree" jobs I have ever done.
When you attempt this on the newer forks, you have to take the thing out of the bike and remove the top cap and everything wants to come flying out.
By the book, there is no Wet vs Dry fill. You instead fill to a specific level.
To do this correctly, the Spring is out, fork tube fully bottomed into the slider, pour in 24 ounces, insert oil level gauge set at 3.7 inches from top, then suck out the excess.
I would guess I typically pull out an ounce or less, but I've never measured what I took out.
So anyway, I've never been lucky to just get away with a quick "Fluid change".
It takes a lot to get to that point, so going the one-two steps more and doing it right, seemed the way to go. Inspect everything. I've found worn out top bushings once at 14K miles. No idea why. Wrong oil level maybe.
Just got off the phone with my dealer. I think I will remove the forks myself and take them to the dealer. I will have them replace seals and everything. Should be about 1.5 hours labor. Much more if they did the entire job. He recommended the Screaming Eagle fork oil. I think that may be too heavy. I have heard of some people mixing SE/Regular HD fork oil 50/50. I may do that.
I tried to tell him....
Last edited by lp; Mar 25, 2021 at 02:22 PM.