2011 Electra Glide fork oil
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 280
Likes: 79
From: Tennessee
2011 Electra Glide fork oil
How many of you have switched to a heavyweight oil like the se or belray 15 wt in your front forks did it help the ride or make it to harsh? I’m gonna change the oil before spring just wonder your thoughts on the heavy oil.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 870
Likes: 246
From: Transfer, PA
I haven't put many miles on my 2011, but I do have 15wt oil in mine. I did the same with my 2008. I didn't bother with Harley's oil, I think it's Maxima fork oil that I used. FWIW I also have 7.5wt Spectro in my rear shocks.
I spec out about 280 and the ole' lady isn't small either so the heavier oil seems to help slow things down. I'm not upset I did it.
I spec out about 280 and the ole' lady isn't small either so the heavier oil seems to help slow things down. I'm not upset I did it.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Suspension oils are a fascinating subject. A member spent a lot of time studying them and reported over in the Tech Oils section IIRC. He has the means of measuring the tech specs of them and found that the brand SAE rating varies a lot from what they claim on the label, so much that they cannot be reliably compared - in other words Brand A and Brand B may have very different measured SAE, despite both having the same rating. So be cautious of swapping between brands if you want to fine tune your damping.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 675
Likes: 252
From: Alberta
The poor (1940's design) forks and excessive dive on my bike were a real annoyance for me. I went with the heavier SE oil in my forks last fall and only was able to do one short ride but the reduction in dive was noticeable. I will see how it goes once spring might come. Hoping the oil upgrade will be enough for me otherwise I will go to a cartridge install (Ohlins?). I wonder if I could put a Rushmore fork set on my 2010?
I see lots of complaints about the stock rear air shocks. I don't like the rears at the "recommended" settings so I pump them up to max (I'm about 195 Lbs) and am happy. I prefer a firmer ride and hate sloppy floaty suspension.
I see lots of complaints about the stock rear air shocks. I don't like the rears at the "recommended" settings so I pump them up to max (I'm about 195 Lbs) and am happy. I prefer a firmer ride and hate sloppy floaty suspension.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 280
Likes: 79
From: Tennessee
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: mid Michigan
I mix lucus 10 and 15 w , One more ounce than the spec for my year . Change when I change tire.
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I used to bottom out my forks on the bigger bumps when my wife and I were both on my 2012 Ultra. I tried Screaming Eagle fork oil right before an overnight trip. With both of us on the bike loaded up it was a nice improvement. When I rode alone it was harsh and I didn’t like it.
I read on this forum of people using a mixture of half standard weight oil and half Screaming Eagle oil. I tried it and I have to admit I like it. No more bottoming out when two up and it’s not harsh when I’m solo.
Obviously new mono tubes in the forks would be the way to go but the half and half fork oil trick has been a nice improvement over just the stock fork oil.
I read on this forum of people using a mixture of half standard weight oil and half Screaming Eagle oil. I tried it and I have to admit I like it. No more bottoming out when two up and it’s not harsh when I’m solo.
Obviously new mono tubes in the forks would be the way to go but the half and half fork oil trick has been a nice improvement over just the stock fork oil.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,065
Likes: 5,320
I used to bottom out my forks on the bigger bumps when my wife and I were both on my 2012 Ultra. I tried Screaming Eagle fork oil right before an overnight trip. With both of us on the bike loaded up it was a nice improvement. When I rode alone it was harsh and I didn’t like it.
I read on this forum of people using a mixture of half standard weight oil and half Screaming Eagle oil. I tried it and I have to admit I like it. No more bottoming out when two up and it’s not harsh when I’m solo.
Obviously new mono tubes in the forks would be the way to go but the half and half fork oil trick has been a nice improvement over just the stock fork oil.
I read on this forum of people using a mixture of half standard weight oil and half Screaming Eagle oil. I tried it and I have to admit I like it. No more bottoming out when two up and it’s not harsh when I’m solo.
Obviously new mono tubes in the forks would be the way to go but the half and half fork oil trick has been a nice improvement over just the stock fork oil.