Ultra Fork leaking ?
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: southwest virginia
Ultra Fork leaking ?
I have a 12 Ultra Classic that I just rode on a 2300 mile trip. I noticed on the way home the fork on the right side was oily near the top. I wiped it off and it appears to be leaking near the top. I took the cover off to check and make sure the big fork nut was tight and it was. I am hoping this is as simple as a fork oil change and replace the seal under the fork nut. I have my doubts that it will be that easy. Has any one encountered this and where is the most likely place they leak.
Thanks
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 30
From: Eastern Tennessee
I have had 4 new HD touring bikes since 2007. My 13 CVO Ultra needed both fork seals changed at different times, six months apart. I thought it odd that both would leak. No fork seal problems with the others. 27,000 miles on the 07 Road King, 48,000 miles on the 09 Ultra, 32,000 miles on the CVO, and 17,000 miles on the Low.
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: southwest virginia
I cleaned up the oil and rode it today so I could pay close attention to where it is leaking. The black area in the photo is dry, it is leaking between the black and the chrome just an inch or so below the top of the fork. I was hoping I could just take the top nut off and replace the seal below it but I don't think so.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 284
Likes: 24
From: Belfast, N. Ireland
its probably the o ring under the fork cap, if its not the filling nut one you have checked. I had the same on a 09. I found the fork cap bolt was finger tight.
If its loose you might get away with sliding the leg down a few inches and tightening it, if not then the leg needs to some out.
Not a major job, but means pulling the leg out to give you room to re-insert it. The fork cap is under spring tension so be careful when unscrewing....it will come off with gusto if you're not...lol. Reinserting the cap nut needs a bit of weight behind it because of the spring tension.
If its loose you might get away with sliding the leg down a few inches and tightening it, if not then the leg needs to some out.
Not a major job, but means pulling the leg out to give you room to re-insert it. The fork cap is under spring tension so be careful when unscrewing....it will come off with gusto if you're not...lol. Reinserting the cap nut needs a bit of weight behind it because of the spring tension.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
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From: Prescott, AZ
Not a major job, but means pulling the leg out to give you room to re-insert it. The fork cap is under spring tension so be careful when unscrewing....it will come off with gusto if you're not...lol. Reinserting the cap nut needs a bit of weight behind it because of the spring tension.
on the 14 + bikes... top of the fork is different - that Big nut is NOT there....
Pretty much a DITTO here. Change the fill cap O-ring and go riding.
If it still leaks fork comes off. If you can pad it and clamp it and can handle the removal safely (BEWARE the SPRING TENSION) - go for it, and same for assembly. Or run it to your local independent for a quick off and on.
If it still leaks fork comes off. If you can pad it and clamp it and can handle the removal safely (BEWARE the SPRING TENSION) - go for it, and same for assembly. Or run it to your local independent for a quick off and on.
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From: Saskatchewan
I thought my forks were leaking but it ended up being bad grease I put in the steering head bearings on my 10,000 mile service. I do know better, but I bought a tube of Harley grease since I though just maybe they formulated it specifically for the steering head bearing. Over time the oil separated from the "binding" agent, possibly in the heat, leaking the oil all down the side of my bike while on a trip. When I got home I picked up my grease gun and about a half a cup of oil poured out the bottom. I went back to using the multi purpose synthetic grease I've been using on heavy equipment for years, I have never seen it separate even in the hottest conditions.
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