Factory fork oil different in each fork?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,004
From: Charleston, SC
And yeah I figured as much. I looked at your pic the best I could, and they looked good.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 155
Likes: 46
From: SE Michigan, USA
Thanks! Well glad to know I'm not the only one (misery loves company lol). One more quick question if you don't mind. Were the bushings only worn in the side with the brown oil? Were the bushings in the fork with clean red oil ok?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,004
From: Charleston, SC
Yes, just the brown side. Red side was perfect. When I checked back 25K miles later both sides were dark-reddish - a non-issue and expected. You know, just so you know what's probably coming...
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 155
Likes: 46
From: SE Michigan, USA
Huh. Wonder if the teflon on my brown side was wearing through but just hadn't gone through all the way yet. Causing the red oil to turn brown. Interesting. I'm going to take a closer look at the old bushings on that side again. Also I appreciate the info that they were ok (and still red oil) when you checked them 25k later. This info helps a lot. Thanks again!
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,624
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From: Honah Lee
Obviously different oils after Ip's post. Not sure about what Harley does now but in the past, they outsourced the forks. They probably specific a certain rebound rate and manufacturer got it that way.
Maintenance doesn't worry about maintaining that rate.
Mine has been changed once at 20K. Both were still red and that's been years ago. When I saw your post, I dug back thru my wall shelf to the old 1/2 full bottle that was left from the two I had when I changed it. After dusting years of dust off it, It was still red.
My 04 now has 50K on it. Few years ago, with all the doom and gloom one sees on the Forum and suggested maintenance in manual, I pulled the steering bearings down. Pain in the butt even on my simple Softail tail.
Total waste of time. That like the fork oil is not happen again by me anyway.
Maintenance doesn't worry about maintaining that rate.
Mine has been changed once at 20K. Both were still red and that's been years ago. When I saw your post, I dug back thru my wall shelf to the old 1/2 full bottle that was left from the two I had when I changed it. After dusting years of dust off it, It was still red.
My 04 now has 50K on it. Few years ago, with all the doom and gloom one sees on the Forum and suggested maintenance in manual, I pulled the steering bearings down. Pain in the butt even on my simple Softail tail.
Total waste of time. That like the fork oil is not happen again by me anyway.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
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From: Las Vegas
I blew a fork seal (right side) in Butte Montana while on a road trip in August. I got it replaced at the HD dealer there, and while it was apart they checked the upper leg to make sure it wasn't bent. It was, and there was also pitting in the chrome. I'm sure this was the cause of losing the seal. In your case, it may also be why you have water intrusion.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 155
Likes: 46
From: SE Michigan, USA
I blew a fork seal (right side) in Butte Montana while on a road trip in August. I got it replaced at the HD dealer there, and while it was apart they checked the upper leg to make sure it wasn't bent. It was, and was the cause of losing the seal. In your case, it may also be why you have water intrusion.
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