Fork Oil Change
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 938
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From: Seattle WA area
Fork Oil Change
Coming up on the 40k service on my '01 RKC and see it is time to change the fork oil. A quick glance at the service manual looks like this is a pain in the ****. Any thoughts from those that have done it? Hell, is it even needed? FYI- the '01 models have the air forks as well as the rear shocks.
Last edited by steelhead; Apr 7, 2009 at 02:57 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 423
Likes: 1
From: BFE MI
It's not as tough of a job as it sounds. I have done the fork oil change a few times and can have my forks off the bike in about 10 min., whilst taking my time. Just read and understand and follow your manual. If you run into a tough spot ask your question on the board. These guys are great!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
I saw this on another forum:
Fork Oil Change
The no muss no fuss way to change your fork oil the HD manual leaves a lot to be desired.
Step 1- But a Mity VAC
Step 2- Remove bleed screw and insert plastic nipple
Step 3 loosen fork spring nut and remove it is under a little pressure from the spring
Step 4- Start pumping the Mity Mite until all oil is out
Step 5- pour a couple ounces in the tube wait and then pump out
Step 6- Reinstall bleed screw
Step 7- Fill fork tube with the appropriate amount of oil
Step 8- Coat fork tube o-ring with Dowcorning 55 and reinstall
When done with both tubes go out and ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 1
From: Sunland, CA
sounds easy for a road king but on the road glide the manual say take the
outside and inner fairing off this alone is a big job did it once it was a bear
you cant get to the top of the forks-ride safe
outside and inner fairing off this alone is a big job did it once it was a bear
you cant get to the top of the forks-ride safe
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
It's very easy if you have the right tools, perhaps a 15-min. operation for both forks. Get a vacuum pump of some sort, the cheapest around probably a Harbor Freight venturi vacuum for <$20 that attaches to your air compressor. You'll also need a piece of plastic tubing, but I don't have the specs. The correct size slips into the recessed area of the drain plug and holds itself in place for draining and filling. You fill from the drain plug using the tube by applying vacuum from the Schrader valve where you apply air for the forks.
1. Drain fluid
2. Remove pin from Schrader valve.
3. Attach vacuum pump and draw a vacuum
4. With tube attached to the drain plug recess and the measured amount of new fluid in a container, suck the fluid into the fork.
5. While vacuum is still applied, remove the tube and reinstall the drain plug.
This procedure was in my '96 service manual, so it should be in yours too.
1. Drain fluid
2. Remove pin from Schrader valve.
3. Attach vacuum pump and draw a vacuum
4. With tube attached to the drain plug recess and the measured amount of new fluid in a container, suck the fluid into the fork.
5. While vacuum is still applied, remove the tube and reinstall the drain plug.
This procedure was in my '96 service manual, so it should be in yours too.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
Do i place the schrader valve back in when I'm done or do i have to purchase another? Can i use a siphon pump from auto zone and pump the oil back into the bike through the fork drain plug?
Last edited by ThaGlyde; Jan 16, 2011 at 08:49 AM.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
You unscrew and remove the inner portion of the valve using a removal tool available at auto-parts stores, then replace it when finished. After that you'll set the air pressure to your specs. The forks have a recessed area at the drain plug that fits a plastic hose. The size is the same as the old battery vent tubes, but I don't know the OD on these as it's been about 12 years since I purchased the tubing. It's a very easy procedure on these older bikes with air forks (<30 min. for both), and the procedure is outlined in the service manual, or at least was in my '96 manual. As mentioned earlier you'll need a vacuum source, and Harbor Freight Tools sells a low-priced venturi vacuum that works with your air compressor. That's what I used, which cost about $10, and it worked perfectly.
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