Changing fork oil
Don't have a super glide, but there's 2 options for me on my sporty. I can either remove the front wheel, remove the bottom screws and drain them, or I can open the top and use a device to suck all the oil out. I think most of the larger harleys have drain ports on the forks though, towards the back, on the bottom of the lower slider.
Once drained, you refill to the service manual spec. Some people measure the level at the top when done (probably the best advice) others just measure out the ounces and pour them into each.
You'll want to lift the front so there is no load on the front forks.
Not sure if any of that helped, at all.
Once drained, you refill to the service manual spec. Some people measure the level at the top when done (probably the best advice) others just measure out the ounces and pour them into each.
You'll want to lift the front so there is no load on the front forks.
Not sure if any of that helped, at all.
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
Oil gets old and contaminated, turning darker and losing it's damping qualities.
Fork oil gets hot as hell. It gets pushed through a bunch of small holes and valves to provide dampening, the friciton of the oil moving makes it quite hot. If you take a ride for 20 miles or so, and then drain the oil, you will burn yourself with it. This heat will break down the oil and cause a viscosity change, making your bikes forks work less efficiently for suspension and braking. Fork seals are good, but they do break down and allow water to get in, thus contaminating the oil. You are only supposed to change the fork oil every 25K as it isnt subjected to the same heat as motor oil, but it will break down after mileage.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
I do mine every year. Easy to do, just drop the tubes, pour it out, flush it well, refill to the correct height using a height gauge.
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From: Sandy Eggo's North County
All Harleys have hydraulic forks for front suspension. Except "springers, that is."
Use a high quality hydraulic oil. It'll last a long time before it breaks down.
To keep my seals from leaking (got 129,000 mi out of my first set of seals/bushings) I used Tellus 46.
I'll use it again in my new FXDL too.
Use a high quality hydraulic oil. It'll last a long time before it breaks down.
To keep my seals from leaking (got 129,000 mi out of my first set of seals/bushings) I used Tellus 46.
I'll use it again in my new FXDL too.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Texas, USA
I changed mine simply to put a heavier oil in.
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