Changing Fork Oil
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: SE Louisiana
Changing Fork Oil
Planning to change fork oil on my '05 FLSTN. Never done this before, but service manual seems pretty simple -- any "gotchas" that I need to be careful about?
Club Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Have plenty of newspaper around to lay the springs on while you drain the oil. Also have a way to hang each fork upside down to drain thoroughly. You can use a sliding caliper to fill them to the correct level. Other than being a little messy and time consuming, very easy. Good luck!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Westchester, NY
Have plenty of newspaper around to lay the springs on while you drain the oil. Also have a way to hang each fork upside down to drain thoroughly. You can use a sliding caliper to fill them to the correct level. Other than being a little messy and time consuming, very easy. Good luck!
Mike
NY
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: East Tennessee
Forks
I WAS TOLD, AND BOOK SAID TO ALSO, REPLACE ALL O RINGS, GASKETS, WASHERS AND DRAIN PLUGS. SEEMS LIKE ALL H-D PARTS LIKE THAT NEED REPLACING EACH TIME.?? METAL PLUGS STRECH AND LIKELY TO LEAK. STRESS.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
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From: Central Jersey
only if you disassemble them, which you don't need to do if you're just changing the oil in them.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
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From: Newcastle, Ca.
You only need to change the two upper seals where you add the oil and both drain screws and washers. $20 total including oil - cheap
The manual tells you what to change and the OP says he has a manual. If he has a fork seal leak then thats for another thread....
The manual tells you what to change and the OP says he has a manual. If he has a fork seal leak then thats for another thread....
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Pull the drain plugs. Pull the caps. Pump the forks a bit to get all the excess out. Refill with appropriate amount of oil. Replace crush washer if you wish. The manual says to I believe.
Drew
Drew
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Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: SE Louisiana
Manual doesn't mention replacing the upper seals but that makes sense; however, is it necessary to replace the drain screws/washers? Certainly no objection to doing so if needed, just curious why. I'm making up my list of parts/supplies needed before heading into town.
Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
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From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
You are correct. Dynas require removal but not Softails. Sorry about that.