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General Topics/Tech TipsDiscussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.
I found a small puddle of oil on my front wheel. It was on the right hand side of the bike. It's dark in color, and I noticed some on the inside of my Arlen ness Forks right below where the caliper bolts attach to the forks. I have a 15 street glide with 46,000. I's assuming its fork oil. Any other ideas?
Regularly maintained brake fluid shouldn't be that dark, so I'd also check if the fork seal on that side is leaking too. It's possible the fluid could include dirt or other things accumulated from running down from where it leak, that could darken it. On touring bikes with fork covers you can't see the top of the lower leg, but if you take a clean paper towel and rub it gently at the back side of the fork just below the cover you may find oil there.
If you brake fluid is that dark, you likely need to flush it anyway. The bikes uses DOT4 fluid which absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and is scheduled for a flush every 2 years or if the moisture content is 3% or above.
At least your problems aren't this bad. I am the third owner on my bike. Bought it used Jan 31 2021. When I bought it and rode it felt like the front forks were bottoming out on small bumps. Talked to my local shop about it, got a price to check it out. Well 250 bucks later new seals and fresh oil.
From what my mechanic said, there wasn't much oil in the forks.
And here is something that you would have never found just doing a used purchase on a bike with fork covers. It would even be hard for a mechanic to find this.
That black stuff where the seal is suppose to be is tape. Needless to say that is why there was very little fork oil. No it was not leaking or any signs of fork oil on the forks.
I think its fork oil. I haven't pulled the brake reservoir lately.
That looks just like used fork oil. Like said, it has a unique smell. I think its what gives new bike a lot of the new bike smell when the fluid is fresh.
Problem Solved! Thanks for your input. Pulled the forks and I could clearly see the oil seeping out. Took them to Harley and 400.00 later, I'm back in the game.
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small puddle of oil on my front wheel.
