? about fork oil
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Joined: Jul 2007
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? about fork oil
I just put my forks back together after getting the lowers powder coated. My dad picked up some fork oil and they only gave him 2 pints. Not enough.... A friend that was helping me had some 30w belray fork oil and we used it. It is thicker than the screaming eagle fork oil I didn't have enough of. I assume this will stiffin up my front forks. Anybody put heavier oil in the front forks? If you did what did you think. I guess if it is to stiff I will replace it. Will this damage anything?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
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RE: ? about fork oil
No problem to mix oil weight in the forks. I would seriously doubt if you could feel the difference. The fork tubes on a Harley are just the old fashioned damper tube technology. You could put Crisco in there and they would work fine.
In the old days, before the vendors figured out that they could bend you over for anything that had "Motorcycle" stamped on the label, the "fork oil" of choice was Automatic Transmission Fluid, as in Dexron II or Type F. I have old service manuals that specify ATF for the forks. Now days they have "special" oil for the forks that costs $9 for a quart, and people get all worried about what brand to use and whether or not they should pick 15 weight or 20 weight, as if it makes a big difference. Off my soap box now. Sorry.
In the old days, before the vendors figured out that they could bend you over for anything that had "Motorcycle" stamped on the label, the "fork oil" of choice was Automatic Transmission Fluid, as in Dexron II or Type F. I have old service manuals that specify ATF for the forks. Now days they have "special" oil for the forks that costs $9 for a quart, and people get all worried about what brand to use and whether or not they should pick 15 weight or 20 weight, as if it makes a big difference. Off my soap box now. Sorry.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: ? about fork oil
Well, I don't know about "The Olden Days" 
so won't comment about that.
But you will notice a differance bewteen 10, 20, and 30 weight oils. The front end feels very differant with each. As for brands, you're probably right. And I agree, mixing isn't a problem. You'll get something in between.
so won't comment about that.But you will notice a differance bewteen 10, 20, and 30 weight oils. The front end feels very differant with each. As for brands, you're probably right. And I agree, mixing isn't a problem. You'll get something in between.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
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RE: ? about fork oil
bobcowan - agree. I just replaced my oil @ 4500 miles - painted the lowers to match the tins. Oil that drained out looked like snot - dirty / nasty. Tubes needed to be scrubbed to get the gunk out. Could be break-in grease or just wear...
I used 15w oil and it now seems firmer to me - factory is 10w??
If dirty oil effects fork performance - recommend you change early, change often. I will.
Good luck, dd
I used 15w oil and it now seems firmer to me - factory is 10w??
If dirty oil effects fork performance - recommend you change early, change often. I will.
Good luck, dd
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 397
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From: Queen Creek, Az
RE: ? about fork oil
yes i agree as well my front on the 05 super was really soft and bouncy. i drained it at 30k and replaced with the SE heavy (not the race stuff) and WOW what a differance the bike handles awsome now in corners and over bumps. no more "devils dance" in high speed corners. really cheap easy fix to a shotty front end.
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