Fork Oil Recommendations
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
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From: Michigan
Fork Oil Recommendations
So I am getting ready to get my bike (05 FXDWGI) ready for spring and decided I am in need of making my front forks a little stiffer.
I am a large man at 6'3" 300lbs. I have the rear shocks cranked up a bit, which is making the nose dive hard. I am thought about replacing the front springs, but I thought I would try to adjust the current springs/fluid first.
I was going to pre-load the springs a little with a spacer, but I have found that to do that on my bike, it looks like I may have to take the forks completely off. As the fork top/cap bolt does not release the pressure of the springs, you have to get another plug out that is underneath that. If I have to take the forks completely off I may as well just buy new springs completely.
So it looks like I am limited to fork oil adjustments for the time being. I do not think the fork oil has ever been changed. It is at about 25,000 miles and 11 years old. 17,000 of which I have put on since I bought the bike two years ago.
I have ordered some 10wt fork oil, I had heard it came from the factory with 5wt. Is anyone aware of how much I should put in a 05 Wide Glide forks? Can I over fill it a bit to stiffen it up even more? If so how much will be fine/safe? Any other adjustments I can make to the front to take the dive out?
I am a large man at 6'3" 300lbs. I have the rear shocks cranked up a bit, which is making the nose dive hard. I am thought about replacing the front springs, but I thought I would try to adjust the current springs/fluid first.
I was going to pre-load the springs a little with a spacer, but I have found that to do that on my bike, it looks like I may have to take the forks completely off. As the fork top/cap bolt does not release the pressure of the springs, you have to get another plug out that is underneath that. If I have to take the forks completely off I may as well just buy new springs completely.
So it looks like I am limited to fork oil adjustments for the time being. I do not think the fork oil has ever been changed. It is at about 25,000 miles and 11 years old. 17,000 of which I have put on since I bought the bike two years ago.
I have ordered some 10wt fork oil, I had heard it came from the factory with 5wt. Is anyone aware of how much I should put in a 05 Wide Glide forks? Can I over fill it a bit to stiffen it up even more? If so how much will be fine/safe? Any other adjustments I can make to the front to take the dive out?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
The last time I drained my RK forks I put Belray 5w in it and it smoothed out the rough front end to a surprising degree. The member who recommended that weight is an HD mechanic, his name escapes me tho.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The springs and damping oil do quite different things. To support your weight I really recommend changing the springs, for single-rate Race Tech. They have a calculator on their website, so you can order the correct spring rate. Take note of those words, because very few spring brands offer different rate springs! Set the sag correct when installing them.
The oil only affects damping, but a slightly heavier grade such as your 10wt may well offset the greater dive when you apply the brakes.
You can also consider improving damping by adding one of the add-in devices, such as a Ricor Intiminator. Race Tech make the Emulator, but I am not happy with mine, so can't recommend it.
The oil only affects damping, but a slightly heavier grade such as your 10wt may well offset the greater dive when you apply the brakes.
You can also consider improving damping by adding one of the add-in devices, such as a Ricor Intiminator. Race Tech make the Emulator, but I am not happy with mine, so can't recommend it.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 809
Likes: 40
From: Duluth, MN
I am similar in stature...I rebuilt forks last winter and put Amsoil medium fork oil in it. It helped but not nearly what I want. This year I put in progressive heavy springs and will be running the same oil. I cannot give you any feedback yet but my guess is it will be MUCH better....
Good luck on your research....
Good luck on your research....
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