What to use for fork oil?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
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From: Joliet, Illinois
Rocket - I would imagine you can dump pretty much anything into the forks in a pinch. There isn't a lot of risk of "failure". The worst thing I can imagine would happen would be that a seal would fail prematurely due to improper oil... maybe... after some period of time.
In your shoes... I'd dump whatever in there, then replace it with the correct oil as soon as possible.
In your shoes... I'd dump whatever in there, then replace it with the correct oil as soon as possible.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
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E= 5W. Oils are different with HD. If you have a =< 2006 SG than you can put in the amount your manual says. I did help with AdrianVail's bike but forget the measurements. Look and see what it says, but it is somewhere between 110mm ~ 130 mm. I do not own a 49mm new style Dyna so I do not remember. Use one of these PRO OIL LEVEL TOOL if you measure
Go to a race bike shop near you and purchase some good oil around the E style original HD 5W. The heavier the oil the more stiction (parasitic drag) and also the harsher the bike rides. You change the valving and not the weight of the oil if you wish to change the ride characteristics. The oil you put in the forks must lubricate the bushings as well as acting as a hydraulic pump. I do not recommend any oil other than fork oil but than again, it is your bike. Do not mixed the new and the old oils.
I also beg to differ with you as to whose fault the oil shortage is. You are the mechanic and not the parts guy. You should have had your install mapped out prior to starting.
Go to a race bike shop near you and purchase some good oil around the E style original HD 5W. The heavier the oil the more stiction (parasitic drag) and also the harsher the bike rides. You change the valving and not the weight of the oil if you wish to change the ride characteristics. The oil you put in the forks must lubricate the bushings as well as acting as a hydraulic pump. I do not recommend any oil other than fork oil but than again, it is your bike. Do not mixed the new and the old oils.
I also beg to differ with you as to whose fault the oil shortage is. You are the mechanic and not the parts guy. You should have had your install mapped out prior to starting.
CB
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 277
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From: VA
Per my sig I'm going to take a Devil's Advocate shot here... could be totally wrong, but -
Is there not a problem with 1) not topping off the fork oil, and 2) mixing oils (type and viscosity) each or both contributing to air bubbles/frothing due to the hydraulic agitation? Something along the lines of air in brake lines, maybe?
BTW: "Indy"?
Is there not a problem with 1) not topping off the fork oil, and 2) mixing oils (type and viscosity) each or both contributing to air bubbles/frothing due to the hydraulic agitation? Something along the lines of air in brake lines, maybe?
BTW: "Indy"?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
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From: Passaic County, NJ
Per my sig I'm going to take a Devil's Advocate shot here... could be totally wrong, but -
Is there not a problem with 1) not topping off the fork oil, and 2) mixing oils (type and viscosity) each or both contributing to air bubbles/frothing due to the hydraulic agitation? Something along the lines of air in brake lines, maybe?
BTW: "Indy"?
Is there not a problem with 1) not topping off the fork oil, and 2) mixing oils (type and viscosity) each or both contributing to air bubbles/frothing due to the hydraulic agitation? Something along the lines of air in brake lines, maybe?
BTW: "Indy"?
Indy = independent motorcycle shop ie not a harley dealer.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Davie, FL
Where do you get your info that Type E is 5wt? It is my understanding and my experience that Type E is 10wt and SE HD is 15wt. Now there may be a difference in oils between manufactures, except there are standards to follow to meet certain specifications. I saw a significant difference in using a Belray 5wt fluid in place of the H-D Type E in both my Sportster 39mm and my Dyna 49mm forks.
CB
CB
<<< From Harley Davidson Description; 16oz. Type E 5wt. Type E is for "Showa" forks.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 413
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From: texas
Where do you get your info that Type E is 5wt? It is my understanding and my experience that Type E is 10wt and SE HD is 15wt. Now there may be a difference in oils between manufactures, except there are standards to follow to meet certain specifications. I saw a significant difference in using a Belray 5wt fluid in place of the H-D Type E in both my Sportster 39mm and my Dyna 49mm forks.
CB
CB
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>>> Where do you get your info that Type E is 5wt? It is my understanding and my experience that Type E is 10wt and SE HD is 15wt.
<<< From Harley Davidson Description; 16oz. Type E 5wt. Type E is for "Showa" forks.
<<< From Harley Davidson Description; 16oz. Type E 5wt. Type E is for "Showa" forks.
but don't you find it funny how it is not described on the bottle, H-D catalog, H-D web site or the service manual, but f***in a, some H-D dealer has it in their description, so it must be true.
Same for the rest of their fork oil.
I'll I can say is there is no way either of my bikes were running 5wt from the factory and all call for type E.
peace out
CB
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 4
From: NC
wow... Holy crap. I'm good. Sorry I asked.
couldn't agree with you more CBZ.
Only "premature failure" would be spongy forks or leaking fluid (which is exactly where I started from). The only rubber is the fork seals. Worse case - a new set of seals and fluid.
Again - thanks for the helpfull input.
couldn't agree with you more CBZ.
Only "premature failure" would be spongy forks or leaking fluid (which is exactly where I started from). The only rubber is the fork seals. Worse case - a new set of seals and fluid.
Again - thanks for the helpfull input.
Last edited by Rocket350; Jun 7, 2009 at 10:12 PM.