2002 Dyna Low Rider Fork Help
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 5
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From: East Coast
2002 Dyna Low Rider Fork Help
Hey Everyone, new to the forum, looking for some help.
I've got a 2002 Dyna Low Rider and I believe the left fork seal has blown out and started leaking. I put 1000 or so miles on the bike in the last month, but I took the girlfriend for a ride a couple days ago and I'm wondering if the combined weight was just too much for it. She had a backpack from work with her clothes and computer, plus our gear, we were probably close to 400lbs. Which should be okay for the bike, but the fork seal definitely let go during that ride. Now with the fork seal leaking, is there an upgraded spring I should consider putting in at the same time?
The bike is probably going to be the two up riding bike for this season, so It'll probably be 60/40 solo to 2 up for the season.
There are so many parts for these bikes I don't even know where to begin, so I wanted to ask.
I've got a 2002 Dyna Low Rider and I believe the left fork seal has blown out and started leaking. I put 1000 or so miles on the bike in the last month, but I took the girlfriend for a ride a couple days ago and I'm wondering if the combined weight was just too much for it. She had a backpack from work with her clothes and computer, plus our gear, we were probably close to 400lbs. Which should be okay for the bike, but the fork seal definitely let go during that ride. Now with the fork seal leaking, is there an upgraded spring I should consider putting in at the same time?
The bike is probably going to be the two up riding bike for this season, so It'll probably be 60/40 solo to 2 up for the season.
There are so many parts for these bikes I don't even know where to begin, so I wanted to ask.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 2,223
From: College Station, TX
It's likely just the seal failing due to age. They get a less pliable or a little brittle over time,
There are cartridge kits for the front end, but I'd likely just replace the seals, check the bushings for wear and refill with fresh oil. Since you didn't mention the ride being too hasrh or hitting bottom with a passenger etc, it's difficult to say how far you should go on upgrades. Cartridge kits are fairly expensive, so if the ride or handling isn't a problem you will need to decide on where to put the money. But I'd look at upgrades for the rear shocks and then go from there. Rear shocks are carrying most of the load of the passenger, so you may get the most benefit from that when the GF goes along.
Lots of brands out there and not a place where you want to go with the least expensive. Ohlins and Bitubo would be my choice for rear shocks, but you will have to see what is available for an 02 Dyna LR. You want shocks that are setup for your bike and the weight it will carry when loaded. And, ones that are fully adjustable for ride heigth, preload adjustment / sag and rebound. Also, a slightly longer shock will have more travel before bottoming out. Some shocks are a full inch longer, but sit at the same heigth as the factory shocks. Keep in mind that longer shocks that raise the bike will affect rear drive belt tension, and possible handling. So working with someone that is experienced with motorcycle shocks is a great benefit in getting it setup correctly.
I'm using Butubo shocks on my HD Touring bike and have been very happy with them. One of the vendors on this site, DK Customs, sells Bitubo shocks and has been a contributor here as well. There are others as well.
Paul
There are cartridge kits for the front end, but I'd likely just replace the seals, check the bushings for wear and refill with fresh oil. Since you didn't mention the ride being too hasrh or hitting bottom with a passenger etc, it's difficult to say how far you should go on upgrades. Cartridge kits are fairly expensive, so if the ride or handling isn't a problem you will need to decide on where to put the money. But I'd look at upgrades for the rear shocks and then go from there. Rear shocks are carrying most of the load of the passenger, so you may get the most benefit from that when the GF goes along.
Lots of brands out there and not a place where you want to go with the least expensive. Ohlins and Bitubo would be my choice for rear shocks, but you will have to see what is available for an 02 Dyna LR. You want shocks that are setup for your bike and the weight it will carry when loaded. And, ones that are fully adjustable for ride heigth, preload adjustment / sag and rebound. Also, a slightly longer shock will have more travel before bottoming out. Some shocks are a full inch longer, but sit at the same heigth as the factory shocks. Keep in mind that longer shocks that raise the bike will affect rear drive belt tension, and possible handling. So working with someone that is experienced with motorcycle shocks is a great benefit in getting it setup correctly.
I'm using Butubo shocks on my HD Touring bike and have been very happy with them. One of the vendors on this site, DK Customs, sells Bitubo shocks and has been a contributor here as well. There are others as well.
Paul
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 618
Likes: 100
From: MA
The combined weight has nothing to do with it. Have the forks ever been serviced in the past? If not then you are at least a decade overdue. Anything could have happened from the rubber getting brittle and cracking to a random piece of debris just finding its way between the seal and the fork tube. You may benefit from a different spring depending on your weight. I know Harley liked to use mile long soft springs. Made the ride plush but it isn't the best for handling. Also consider cartridge emulators from race tech. Will improve the ride. I'm a bit surprised but if you have a bit of cash in your pocket GP suspension makes a cartridge kit for the 39mm fork. It is what I used in my 2015 Street bob. I highly doubt they are a drop in solution. You will need to do some grinding or lathe work to the bottom of your fork tube. They will allow you to make fine adjustments to the damping. Ohlin's doesn't look to have anything but I could be missing it. At least you have options. Just one other thing to think about. Once you do one end you will want to do the other so start looking at shocks if you are making changes to the forks.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
Find the Race Tech site; they have a calculator there for spring rate vs weight/skill. When you're putting new seals in, it's easy to drop fresh springs in that're matched to your goal. As for the rear; a pair of heavy duty 12.5" 444 Progressive's are the best bang for the buck for two-up, I wouldn't bother with cartridges...in two up touring mode you'll probably never tell the difference. Wife has a 2008 Low Rider; I have a Fat Bob and we've done a LOT of touring on our bikes...both with Race Tech front springs and Progressive rear shocks. We've also toured Italy on a BMW R1200RT...so I know what REAL windy roads and top-notch suspension can be like...but the HD's are never gonna be in that league no matter how much you spend on springs. You're also dealing with skinny 39mm tubes; a fork brace might be a good idea.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 1,212
From: New Hampsha
Race Tech sells a part called a Gold Valve Emulator that will improve the performance of the front suspension, but you still need to fix the leak. The Ricor Intiminator is a similar product. I've used both and either one is an improvement over the stock damper.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Remove each fork tube cap, one at a time. Add 2oz isopropyl alcohol to each tube, then test ride it on bumpy road. That will make the old seals swell and stop a minor leak. It is a 2002 and fork will need to be replaced.
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Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2024
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From: East Coast
Thanks for all the information everyone! I do have a seal mate tool I purchased a number of years back, I've tried it on every bike I've ever owned and never had any luck, but I will try. It's probably already a little low on oil, so it will need to be done anyway, :/ I will purchase a seal kit and maybe some new rear shocks just to be safe.
You mean the fork seal, not the fork, correct?
You mean the fork seal, not the fork, correct?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
I can't answer for TexasScooterTrash, but IMHO if there is no fork damage, a rebuild kit will be sufficient....
