Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What fork oil.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 02:03 PM
  #1  
toprat's Avatar
toprat
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: the rats hole,fl
Default What fork oil.

For all you guys with lowered bikes, what fork oil are you running? I have developed a clunk in the front end. I thought it was the neck bearing, had the dealership address that issue. They also replaced my fork oil with type e during that service. my clunk has gotten more frequent when hitting bumps. Only thing I can figure is the weaker fork oil is not heavy enough. I ran the SE heavy fork oil in the scoot when I first lowered it and didn't notice the clunk. What do you all think?
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 02:22 PM
  #2  
Sgt_Jim's Avatar
Sgt_Jim
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
Default

i still use the Type E in mine with RaceTech Gold Valves and 1" spacers to bring the front end down a bit, haven't had any issues.. but it's pretty cheap to change the fluids, so if you think it'll help, do it up.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 03:17 PM
  #3  
tbonetony06's Avatar
tbonetony06
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Default

I finally gave up and got away from springs and oil. Gas monotubes, 1 of the best things I did for the bike. I no longer deal with "wandering", brake dive and I get a more firm handling front end. I also notice that when I put a passenger on the back I get no variation in how the bike handles and rides. With the Shotgun I don't think you can beat that combination, IMHO.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 05:13 PM
  #4  
TheTroupe's Avatar
TheTroupe
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Default

Originally Posted by Sgt_Jim
i still use the Type E in mine with RaceTech Gold Valves and 1" spacers to bring the front end down a bit, haven't had any issues.. but it's pretty cheap to change the fluids, so if you think it'll help, do it up.

If you don't have the dampening valves, like the Sgt_Jim has, the heavier oil will dull down the clunks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 06:36 PM
  #5  
elizer's Avatar
elizer
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 632
Likes: 3
From: Virginia raised, stationed in Alaska
Default

Originally Posted by tbonetony06
I finally gave up and got away from springs and oil. Gas monotubes, 1 of the best things I did for the bike. I no longer deal with "wandering", brake dive and I get a more firm handling front end. I also notice that when I put a passenger on the back I get no variation in how the bike handles and rides. With the Shotgun I don't think you can beat that combination, IMHO.

I thought you still needed oil for monotubes?
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 06:55 PM
  #6  
tbonetony06's Avatar
tbonetony06
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Default

Ohppps, my bad Dude. Yes, 5 ounces of oil in each fork with the montubes.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 07:03 PM
  #7  
elizer's Avatar
elizer
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 632
Likes: 3
From: Virginia raised, stationed in Alaska
Default

Lol man. I got my monotubes w/o the top springs so progressive is sending them been waiting on it. Great C/S but ya they told me fork oil so i didn't wanna feel dumb and put oil if it wasn't needed.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 07:07 PM
  #8  
bikerlaw's Avatar
bikerlaw
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Default

If I lowered my front end, I would definitely bump it back up the the S/E Heavy fork oil. We did that to my buddy's lowered '09 Fat Boy and he had no issues at all with the clunk. I road the bike and was pretty impressed with the ride, especially given the ease in which you could spray floorboard sparks on a lowered motorcycle.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 07:23 PM
  #9  
jreichart's Avatar
jreichart
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 5
From: Heber Springs, AR
Default

Originally Posted by toprat
For all you guys with lowered bikes, what fork oil are you running? I have developed a clunk in the front end. I thought it was the neck bearing, had the dealership address that issue. They also replaced my fork oil with type e during that service. my clunk has gotten more frequent when hitting bumps. Only thing I can figure is the weaker fork oil is not heavy enough. I ran the SE heavy fork oil in the scoot when I first lowered it and didn't notice the clunk. What do you all think?
Don't trust the dealer to address the front end. Had the clunk on mine, one dealer set it 3 times and it never went away. Another dealer tightened it a bit past spec and all was good. Do your own adjustment to the steering head, and tighten it a bit past where it should be. If the clunk goes away, you found your problem. Also, if you have the crappy thin washer under the head nut that gets bent to lock in place, then there is a bulletin to replace it with a heavier washer.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2013 | 07:31 PM
  #10  
sjbodie's Avatar
sjbodie
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Default

I also use the Race Tech springs and Gold Valves in my lowered front end. I added PJ 15 wt ForkTuner oil. Works very well, no clunks. I think the rebound could be a bit slower, so I may try the 20 wt.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:16 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE