Fork Oil Issue
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 1,767
From: In The Woods, PA
Fork Oil Issue
Hey all. Ran into an issue putting the new fork oil in the forks of my 1997 FLHT
As per the service manual, I bled the air off, pulled banjo bolts from the top of the fork tubes, drained old fluid. Then replaced the drain plugs.
I have a funnel with a flexible tube on the end ( it does not fit too tight into hole preventing air from escaping ). When I slowly pour the fork oil into the funnel it goes down the tube, then comes out of the top of the fork. What am I missing?
As per the service manual, I bled the air off, pulled banjo bolts from the top of the fork tubes, drained old fluid. Then replaced the drain plugs.
I have a funnel with a flexible tube on the end ( it does not fit too tight into hole preventing air from escaping ). When I slowly pour the fork oil into the funnel it goes down the tube, then comes out of the top of the fork. What am I missing?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
You're missing doing it the easy way.
Put all the air stuff back together. Pull the drain plug out. Put a hose on a fitting (hollow bolt, etc.) in the drain plug. Put the end of the hose in your oil. Take the shrader valve out of the air fill port. Put a vacuum pump on the air fill port and pump away, sucking the fluid up into the fork tube. Repeat for other side.
Put all the air stuff back together. Pull the drain plug out. Put a hose on a fitting (hollow bolt, etc.) in the drain plug. Put the end of the hose in your oil. Take the shrader valve out of the air fill port. Put a vacuum pump on the air fill port and pump away, sucking the fluid up into the fork tube. Repeat for other side.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,438
Likes: 7,130
From: Beyond Fucital
What banjo bolts are you talking about?
I have drain bolts at the bottom back of the forks, jack up the bike, remove tops, remove those 1 at a time into a measuring container.
Reinstall the drain bolts, and refill the fork tubes with the same amount that drained out.
Reinstall the caps and lower the bike.
I have drain bolts at the bottom back of the forks, jack up the bike, remove tops, remove those 1 at a time into a measuring container.
Reinstall the drain bolts, and refill the fork tubes with the same amount that drained out.
Reinstall the caps and lower the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,135
From: W. Texas
Hey all. Ran into an issue putting the new fork oil in the forks of my 1997 FLHT
As per the service manual, I bled the air off, pulled banjo bolts from the top of the fork tubes, drained old fluid. Then replaced the drain plugs.
I have a funnel with a flexible tube on the end ( it does not fit too tight into hole preventing air from escaping ). When I slowly pour the fork oil into the funnel it goes down the tube, then comes out of the top of the fork. What am I missing?
As per the service manual, I bled the air off, pulled banjo bolts from the top of the fork tubes, drained old fluid. Then replaced the drain plugs.
I have a funnel with a flexible tube on the end ( it does not fit too tight into hole preventing air from escaping ). When I slowly pour the fork oil into the funnel it goes down the tube, then comes out of the top of the fork. What am I missing?
If you can come with the vac pump thats the best way.
WP
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
I've followed the FSM directions to change the fork oil on my FLHS. Once.
I don't know of a single dealership or independent shop, that does it that way. It was a PITA on my bike. I could only imagine what it would be like with a batwing fairing.....
I don't know of a single dealership or independent shop, that does it that way. It was a PITA on my bike. I could only imagine what it would be like with a batwing fairing.....
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: W. Texas
WP
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 1,767
From: In The Woods, PA
I hear ya. After reading both methods in the fsm, Seemed simpler just to pour the oil in the top of the forks, I have most of the bike disassembled anyway. I'll get it done.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Yeah, that's most of the work.
Seems on a Harley, ya always got to take a lot of good 'stuff' off, to get to the issue. This winter I'll be upgrading the front springs to get rid of the anti-dive, adding a replacement set of bars, new grips, and replacing the original windshield 'glass'. I figure MAW 'do it all' since I'll have it all apart. If there is any money left upgrading the 24 year old OEM rear air shocks too. A better set of front/rear brakes is on my 'wish list', but probably aren't in the budget for another year.
Get 'er done, and get back in the wind.
Seems on a Harley, ya always got to take a lot of good 'stuff' off, to get to the issue. This winter I'll be upgrading the front springs to get rid of the anti-dive, adding a replacement set of bars, new grips, and replacing the original windshield 'glass'. I figure MAW 'do it all' since I'll have it all apart. If there is any money left upgrading the 24 year old OEM rear air shocks too. A better set of front/rear brakes is on my 'wish list', but probably aren't in the budget for another year.
Get 'er done, and get back in the wind.