Change that fork oil!

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Aug 18, 2009 | 11:57 AM

#61

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBill2566

The workshop manual for my 09 RK states I have to remove the fork legs for an oil change, that and the need to remove all the headlight shroud etc means this will have to wait till winter. I am guessing it will take me a good few hours.

The RK nacelle isn't hard to remove, and if you follow my write-up you'll have your fork oil changed in about an hour, two tops with the nacelle removal.

Aug 18, 2009 | 01:56 PM

#62

ncbeast

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 894

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From: Huntersville, NC

So what do you about the oil shooting out? Thinking about maybe holding some aluminum foil up and let it hit it and drip down into the pan. Also would like to try some heavier oil, using Amsoil every where else. Do they have a heavy fork oil?

Some say it is like mud coming out...if it is does it all get out or should you do some kind of flush before putting new oil in?

I am just at 5000 miles so I would hope it is not like mud and can just swap it out.

Aug 18, 2009 | 03:33 PM

#63

iclick

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Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncbeast

So what do you about the oil shooting out? Thinking about maybe holding some aluminum foil up and let it hit it and drip down into the pan.

That isn't a big problem, as it doesn't really "shoot out." It's not under any pressure, unless you have air forks, and I always just held the cup collecting the old oil close to the drain hole when removing the plug.

Quote:

Also would like to try some heavier oil, using Amsoil every where else. Do they have a heavy fork oil?

SE Heavy (not Extra Heavy) at your friendly HD dealer works well for me and many others. It provides more control and is a bit firmer than the Type E (stock) oil, but IMO isn't harsh.

Quote:

Some say it is like mud coming out...if it is does it all get out or should you do some kind of flush before putting new oil in?

I wouldn't worry about it. Yes, it's dark and smells bad, but I always just drain and refill.

Aug 18, 2009 | 03:56 PM

#64

105proof

Intermediate

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 43

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From: Alabama

Are you sure thats not DALES sauce?

Aug 18, 2009 | 04:56 PM

#65

cbears

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,622

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From: Topeka, KS

Great, something else on my list. Thanks.

Aug 18, 2009 | 05:08 PM

#66

Bertk

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: SW Florida

I also changed out the folk oil on my 08 SG and replaced it with the HD Heavy oil using iclicks method. After seeing what came out I would have done it at 1000 miles. Iclick also mentioned that after chancing the folk oil a second time the oil coming out looked good. So knowing what I know now, and as easy and inexpensive as it is to change, I think I'll change it out every 10,000 miles.

Aug 18, 2009 | 05:50 PM

#67

SG 1

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,661

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From: Monroe, Louisiana

I changed to chrome lowers about a month ago and like most here, I used iclick's method to refill. Thanks iclick. But it took a heck of a lot longer than 30 minutes per fork for the oil to run in. I guess I over looked the burping part. I'm bad about scanning directions. Also be sure to use the right size hose, cause if you use a smaller one, you got a real mess when the oil backs up the hose. Any way I got it done and my new forks got their first flush before they ever got used since I spilled so much I didn't know how much I had in there. So I drained and started over with the right size hose.

The factory oil that came out was nasty at 9000 miles. I refilled with SE heavy and the ride is much improved in my opinion.