Spongy front end
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 178
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From: Chicago NW suburbs
Spongy front end
I have a 09 Fat Bob and it seems the front end is getting more soft as time goes on. It almost feels like the rotor is warped but I am thinking it is the fork oil has broke down. The bike has around 8500 miles on it and my question is for those of you that put heavier springs in it was it a hard job and what did you buy including the new fork oil. Should I put heavier springs in or just start by changing the oil. If I put new springs in it does anything else need changed while I am in there.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12,594
Likes: 9
From: Bama
I have a 09 Fat Bob and it seems the front end is getting more soft as time goes on. It almost feels like the rotor is warped but I am thinking it is the fork oil has broke down. The bike has around 8500 miles on it and my question is for those of you that put heavier springs in it was it a hard job and what did you buy including the new fork oil. Should I put heavier springs in or just start by changing the oil. If I put new springs in it does anything else need changed while I am in there.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
You can try adding some preload to the springs by using a slightly longer spacer in the tubes.
Open the top of the tube and you should have a metal spacer on top of the spring, you can use PVC pipe to replace it. No need to drain the fork oil to do this.
OR, you can drain and change the oil to a heavier weight oil, go small, don't make drastic changes all at once.
Open the top of the tube and you should have a metal spacer on top of the spring, you can use PVC pipe to replace it. No need to drain the fork oil to do this.
OR, you can drain and change the oil to a heavier weight oil, go small, don't make drastic changes all at once.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 893
Likes: 0
From: Knob Noster, MO
I have a 09 Fat Bob and it seems the front end is getting more soft as time goes on. It almost feels like the rotor is warped but I am thinking it is the fork oil has broke down. The bike has around 8500 miles on it and my question is for those of you that put heavier springs in it was it a hard job and what did you buy including the new fork oil. Should I put heavier springs in or just start by changing the oil. If I put new springs in it does anything else need changed while I am in there.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 268
Likes: 2
From: sonoma county
sorry to hijack but im interested in doing the same thing. i was going to change out the preload spacer but not sure how much longer of a spacer i would need to put in. im 6ft 200lbs and after adding on my batwing with stereo (30lbs) i could use some more preload. any sugestions on how much longer i should make the spacer?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
sorry to hijack but im interested in doing the same thing. i was going to change out the preload spacer but not sure how much longer of a spacer i would need to put in. im 6ft 200lbs and after adding on my batwing with stereo (30lbs) i could use some more preload. any sugestions on how much longer i should make the spacer?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 268
Likes: 2
From: sonoma county
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
First try Screaming Eagle Heavy fork oil & see if that helps.
I changed to it at @ 20,000 miles for the same reason.
I didn't like it, thought it was to heavy. Went back to stock oil, another 20,000 miles... much happier.
Don't be surprised to find a low oil and/or uneven oil level from the SHOWA factory.
That's what I found in mine, plus the oil looked very sheity.. but I suspect that may have been a result of to much power washing at the quarter car wash.
Oh well, live & learn.
I changed to it at @ 20,000 miles for the same reason.
I didn't like it, thought it was to heavy. Went back to stock oil, another 20,000 miles... much happier.
Don't be surprised to find a low oil and/or uneven oil level from the SHOWA factory.
That's what I found in mine, plus the oil looked very sheity.. but I suspect that may have been a result of to much power washing at the quarter car wash.
Oh well, live & learn.
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