Fork oil recommendations?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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Fork oil recommendations?
I'm getting pumped. Ever since I put my chrome wheels on this past spring, it was obvious that the front end needed chroming too. I finally got my HD chrome front end kit via UPS today. I'm still waiting on my long overdue service manual to come but it should be here by the end of the week.
Some have suggested going ahead and swapping the springs out for some progressives while I have everything apart anyway. But I'm really satisfied with the way the bike rides, front, rear and in between. However, I am going to go ahead and put new fluid in when I put it all back together. Any recommendations from anyone on the fluid? Just put what was in there back in since nothing else is changing? Go with something a little heavier maybe? Go with a certain brand or weight? Open to suggestions. Going to a bike related event tomorrow afternoon that I can pickup what I need most likely while I'm there. Is there anything else I might need that didn't come with the kit besides the oil?
Some have suggested going ahead and swapping the springs out for some progressives while I have everything apart anyway. But I'm really satisfied with the way the bike rides, front, rear and in between. However, I am going to go ahead and put new fluid in when I put it all back together. Any recommendations from anyone on the fluid? Just put what was in there back in since nothing else is changing? Go with something a little heavier maybe? Go with a certain brand or weight? Open to suggestions. Going to a bike related event tomorrow afternoon that I can pickup what I need most likely while I'm there. Is there anything else I might need that didn't come with the kit besides the oil?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: S.E. MO
I went with Bel Ray 20wt along with the Progressive springs. It is a little stiffer than I would of liked (not bad) but I think the 20wt would of been good with the stock springs.
Personally I would go with at least a 15wt (think thats what the SE oil is), but I may prefer a stiffer ride than some.
Personally I would go with at least a 15wt (think thats what the SE oil is), but I may prefer a stiffer ride than some.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
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From: Northern VA
I went with the Bel-Ray 15w Fork Oil found at my local metric shop. It came in a liter bottle and was enough for both forks. If you used HD's stuff, you'd need a few bottles as they are packaged pretty small.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: S.E. MO
Dont recall of hand but think its around 26 ozs per side on the 49mm (dont quote that)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
Ya my Indy made the same mistake when I bought my oil. I didnt look it up before I went in and he said 1 bottle would be enough but once I looked it up had to go back.
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I used a blend, 15w and 10w of repsol fork oil... gave me a firmer but still soft ride, i F'N LOVE IT! with the progressive springs it is like a whole new bike!
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Davie, FL
Correct as I just did a member's here when he converted over to duel disk. I know that I have about 1/3 or so of a bottle left out of 2 bottles. If you guys wish to make your ride stiffer than with stock forks just weld up the holes in the seat pipe and re-drill some more but smaller. This is how you did it before the invention of cartridge emulators. Heavier oil means more stiction = your forks work less efficient because they are slowed down.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,027
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From: Grapevine Texas
Just did my fork oil with a bunch of other things this weekend, the old stuff was nasty, you can find my post under 06 streetbob fork oil.
I used amsoil #10 suspension fluid, since I use amsoil everything else couldn't resist. I think the stock fluid is 5w, and this stuff is 10w which should be just a little thicker, plus I put in some progressive fork springs.
I used amsoil #10 suspension fluid, since I use amsoil everything else couldn't resist. I think the stock fluid is 5w, and this stuff is 10w which should be just a little thicker, plus I put in some progressive fork springs.