Changed fork oil AGAIN tonight + stupid mistake
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
I've had more than my fair share of those nights where you decide to tackle a "quick job" and then one thing leads to another, and you are tired, but just want to be done, and start cutting corners. Best thing to do is leave it, and fix it right when you are fresh, otherwise you'll have to fix it later anyway, along with whatever else got messed up.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 880
Likes: 81
From: California
I've had more than my fair share of those nights where you decide to tackle a "quick job" and then one thing leads to another, and you are tired, but just want to be done, and start cutting corners. Best thing to do is leave it, and fix it right when you are fresh, otherwise you'll have to fix it later anyway, along with whatever else got messed up.
You are both absolutely right! I went to bed thinking about it, and I woke up thinking about it. I don't have much on my plate this evening, so I plan on re-doing it tonight correctly, taking my time.
And to those who said its covered under warranty and to take it into the dealership, I don't think that telling them I want heavier fork oil is a warryanty issue. LoL
Plus, I love working on it myself. Even when there are warranty issues, I still fix them myself as long as they don't cost very much.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
I'm with you, i enjoy tinkering/wrenching, although my bike is long since out of warranty, i try to avoid taking it in for service as much as i can. I figure, the more i work on it, the more i'll be able to troubleshoot, or even fix problems out on the road if they should arise.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Here's a quicker fix: take the caps off of the forks and measure the height of the oil in the leg that didn't lose any oil. Then match them up. Find a rod that will fit inside the spring and insert it down the fork and mark the rod where the top of the fork is. You can then measure the distance to the oil. If they are within an eighth of an inch of each other you're good to go.
Yes you can mix oils of different weights to get a custom weight oil. Just make sure they are of the same brand. Used to do it all the time in my race bikes.
Yes you can mix oils of different weights to get a custom weight oil. Just make sure they are of the same brand. Used to do it all the time in my race bikes.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I agree. In theory one side will be slightly but imperceptibly firmer than the other, in this case the side that has the most oil, but that won't matter. Remember that '02-'05 FLH's have a cartridge in one side only, which changes the firmness of one shock compared to the other. The fact is that both are connected to the same axle which doesn't flex, so the difference between the damping of right vs. left is irrelevant and won't make a difference in the way the bike handles. OTOH if it bothers you, change it again.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
Boy you can tell its winter with all the xperts out here 
.... Ok lets forget about the 1/2 oz of oil (im gonna agree with the select few though... Dont Matter).. Ok so how many of you know exactly how much air pressure is in your tires on your dailys? Instead of trying to be rocket scientists on the fork oil issue go check your tires.. = pressure and the right pressure = better mileage and tire wear..Oh ya there is a safety issue too ... Yup its winter
Dave
.... Ok lets forget about the 1/2 oz of oil (im gonna agree with the select few though... Dont Matter).. Ok so how many of you know exactly how much air pressure is in your tires on your dailys? Instead of trying to be rocket scientists on the fork oil issue go check your tires.. = pressure and the right pressure = better mileage and tire wear..Oh ya there is a safety issue too ... Yup its winter Dave
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 880
Likes: 81
From: California
Ok, well last night I changed the fork oil yet AGAIN in both forks. I picked up a quart of Bel-Ray 7w, and put 11oz of it in each fork. Also replaced the phillips-head drain plug with chrome allen-head. Much easier to tighten & loosen.
I test road the bike down the street, and all is well. While I was at it, I poured some of the green Bel-Ray into my gas tank, and I picked up 25 extra ft/lbs of torque! I even put it in the master cylinder for my front brakes, and now I can do stoppies! LoL
I test road the bike down the street, and all is well. While I was at it, I poured some of the green Bel-Ray into my gas tank, and I picked up 25 extra ft/lbs of torque! I even put it in the master cylinder for my front brakes, and now I can do stoppies! LoL
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Do you think it might cure my lumbago?
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 880
Likes: 81
From: California
Yes it will. Have your wife rub 1oz on your lower back tonight, and you should feel better tomorrow. If it doesn't work, you may need to step up to the 10w; that should definately knock it out.