Rebuilding Front Forks on XL1200C
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Stage III
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Rebuilding Front Forks on XL1200C
Hi there,
I have a 2006 Sportster 1200 Custom with 23,000 miles on it. I just noticed that my left front fork is leaking oil fairly significantly. I figure since the bike is a decade old and it has spent those 10 years in wet, sandy, humid Florida... that rebuilding the front forks would be wiser than just replacing the oil seals alone (especially since the forks have to be taken apart to do that anyways).
My question though is... How much labor time/cost should I expect a Harley dealer VS a typical independent local bike repair shop to charge to do the rebuild from start to finish if I supply them with the rebuild kit/parts? I had one Harley dealer quote me $105/per hour for labor cost with the job not even requiring a full hour to complete, while another Harley dealer quoted me over $400 just for labor cost! Any light you guys can shed my way on this matter would be great!
Thanks!!
I have a 2006 Sportster 1200 Custom with 23,000 miles on it. I just noticed that my left front fork is leaking oil fairly significantly. I figure since the bike is a decade old and it has spent those 10 years in wet, sandy, humid Florida... that rebuilding the front forks would be wiser than just replacing the oil seals alone (especially since the forks have to be taken apart to do that anyways).
My question though is... How much labor time/cost should I expect a Harley dealer VS a typical independent local bike repair shop to charge to do the rebuild from start to finish if I supply them with the rebuild kit/parts? I had one Harley dealer quote me $105/per hour for labor cost with the job not even requiring a full hour to complete, while another Harley dealer quoted me over $400 just for labor cost! Any light you guys can shed my way on this matter would be great!
Thanks!!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF.
Go to the Motorcycle Metal website and watch Amy show us how to strip and rebuild a set of touring forks, Sporties are very similar. The only replaceable things inside are the seals and two bushings per leg, plus the oil. That will help you decide if you can do it yourself.
As for prices, they can range widely and there is no way of us explaining that, except we know it happens. My advice is to phone around and decide who you think is most capable of doing the job, don't go for the cheapest purely on price. It also helps to visit a shop and meet up in person, phoning around is easy but a handshake and a smile works much better!
Go to the Motorcycle Metal website and watch Amy show us how to strip and rebuild a set of touring forks, Sporties are very similar. The only replaceable things inside are the seals and two bushings per leg, plus the oil. That will help you decide if you can do it yourself.
As for prices, they can range widely and there is no way of us explaining that, except we know it happens. My advice is to phone around and decide who you think is most capable of doing the job, don't go for the cheapest purely on price. It also helps to visit a shop and meet up in person, phoning around is easy but a handshake and a smile works much better!
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 217
Likes: 2
From: thayer, Missouri
Recently went to Arlen ness lowers on my RKC. Which was basically the same as rebuilding the lowers. Pretty straight forward. Just watch a couple of videos. Make sure you lay everything out the way it came off, then reverse when putting back together. Pick which weight of oil you want to go back in. I went with #10 shock therapy from amsoil, front and back on the king. Very pleased. Good luck with the project.
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