Dyna Suspension upgrade
Bought 2btls of SE fork oil at local dealer today. It sez right there on the label; Not for Street Use. Hopefully I'll be able to dodge the fork-oil cops ok.
Hate going to the dealer: way too many new bikes to ogle but I'll be true to my '03.
Anyway: SM sez to drain and then fill with 10.6oz oil. It also sez the capacity is 10.6oz. Draining from the drain-plug is gonna completely drain all 10.6oz?
Hate going to the dealer: way too many new bikes to ogle but I'll be true to my '03.
Anyway: SM sez to drain and then fill with 10.6oz oil. It also sez the capacity is 10.6oz. Draining from the drain-plug is gonna completely drain all 10.6oz?
Not an answer to the procedure question I asked tho. This is an experiment for me. If I do not like the results, I can change. Maybe go 50-50 with the SE and E oil.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
i have done it this way in the past
with bike on lift level with front tire off the ground, take caps off applying downward force
then take a piece of coat hanger or wire and measure down untill it barely touches the fluid and make a mark, do both sides
then drain all fluid and fill it with 9 or 10 ozs. and add or subtract what is needed untill you are back at your original marks
it is more important the the levels be exactly even than being exactly 10.6 ozs.
good luck and make sure you post results
with bike on lift level with front tire off the ground, take caps off applying downward force
then take a piece of coat hanger or wire and measure down untill it barely touches the fluid and make a mark, do both sides
then drain all fluid and fill it with 9 or 10 ozs. and add or subtract what is needed untill you are back at your original marks
it is more important the the levels be exactly even than being exactly 10.6 ozs.
good luck and make sure you post results
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
OK I skipped to the end so cut me some slack if this has already been covered. But I run Progressives stock length springs with 15 wt oil and it works really well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg either.Probably less than 90$ if you do the work yourself.
i have done it this way in the past
with bike on lift level with front tire off the ground, take caps off applying downward force
then take a piece of coat hanger or wire and measure down untill it barely touches the fluid and make a mark, do both sides
then drain all fluid and fill it with 9 or 10 ozs. and add or subtract what is needed untill you are back at your original marks
it is more important the the levels be exactly even than being exactly 10.6 ozs.
good luck and make sure you post results
with bike on lift level with front tire off the ground, take caps off applying downward force
then take a piece of coat hanger or wire and measure down untill it barely touches the fluid and make a mark, do both sides
then drain all fluid and fill it with 9 or 10 ozs. and add or subtract what is needed untill you are back at your original marks
it is more important the the levels be exactly even than being exactly 10.6 ozs.
good luck and make sure you post results
Thank you for the help.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
Nitrogen shocks
My friend has a new Switchback and they come with nitrogen shocks in the rear and drop in cartiges in the front.
Harley also learns from us and what we want.
I went on a budget at $1000.00 for all and did the work myself and I'm so glad I did. Maybe there are better options out there if you got the big bucks.
If you want black streettrackers then by all means go for it. I like my streettrackers and they have plenty of adjustment and are rebuildable.
it's all good, do what you want.
have fun I am.
Harley also learns from us and what we want.
I went on a budget at $1000.00 for all and did the work myself and I'm so glad I did. Maybe there are better options out there if you got the big bucks.
If you want black streettrackers then by all means go for it. I like my streettrackers and they have plenty of adjustment and are rebuildable.
it's all good, do what you want.
have fun I am.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
the measurement method is more precise and will require the removal of fork legs. you use the oz method if you keep the front end together and just drain and replace the fork oil. The amount of oil has an effect on the feel as well as the weight. more oil in the tubes makes the front firmer(too much and the travel is reduced) and less makes it softer. Through oil wt and amount, I was able to get my front end to feel and respond and feel very good on my bike. As good as the Ohlins on back, no, but it will do. It rides much better than the intiminators and 5wt. ever could. They were just too firm working with my progressive lowering kit. You can get a good riding responsive front end, but it may take some work in experimenting with fork oil amount as well as possibly blending the fork oil for a desired weight. IMO the SE oil works well with the soft stock springs and the amount(oil height) will be what you experiment with. Ultimately, I would suggest stick with stock springs and oil change and save up for a front end from Howard @ motorcycle metal. I have zero doubt that his front end will be the best you can buy. And for sure buy Ohlin shocks for the rear and Howard will set them up brilliantly for you weight and riding style.
Last edited by rounder; Oct 17, 2011 at 07:58 AM.
