Fork Oil Replacement

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Aug 22, 2006 | 04:27 PM

ultrapower

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

Fork Oil Replacement

I need to replace the fork oil on my '99 ultra classic. After I drain the old oil, can I pump the new oil back through the drain hole (by taking core out of air line) or do I have to pull the faring and put it in the top?

Thanks
Pat Martin

Aug 22, 2006 | 05:49 PM

Kahuna

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 791

Likes: 0

From: Arizona

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

From what I understand, you cannot pump the oil back through the drain holes. You have to take the forks apart and pour it in from the top.

Aug 22, 2006 | 06:32 PM

gunrunner

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,515

Likes: 6

From:

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

Nope you have to remove outer fairing and be able to get to the top bolts on each fork tube, its not a quick and easy job.

Aug 22, 2006 | 07:07 PM

500MAG

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 160

Likes: 0

From: Land of Ten Thousand Lakes

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

Why? , i just refilled through the drain holes on my RG, Dennis Kirk sells a hose and fitting for the job. I used a two ounce syringe to fill with, ya have to be quick when you remove the tube and replace the drain plug.
Unless there is something different on the UC that i`m not aware of.

Aug 22, 2006 | 09:13 PM

1flhtk4me

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,675

Likes: 95

From: Billings,Mt.

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

I don't see why it would not work ,as long as equal amounts are put back in.
Sounds simple.

Aug 22, 2006 | 09:36 PM

wvrider

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 478

Likes: 2

From:

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

Go to the "do it yourself help forum". Click on "chassis, suspension, brakes, ect.." Click on "easy fork oil change on baggers". This method works great.

Aug 22, 2006 | 10:54 PM

98kingflh

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 137

Likes: 1

From:

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

what wvrider said, easy as pie...

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Aug 23, 2006 | 06:23 PM

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

RE: Fork Oil Replacement

You can do it very easily on older bikes with air forks. You'll need a vacuum source, the cheapest route for that being a Harbor Freight venturi vacuum attachment for an air compressor, about $10. You connect it to your air compressor regulated to ~20#. You'll need to rig some plastic tubing to fit on the valve housing for the air forks. The forks have a recess around the drain-plug hole that fits a 1/4" OD plastic tube.

1. Drain fluid from one fork.

2. Place proper amount of fork oil into a small container. Mine is 7.5 oz., wet.

3. Remove valve mechanism from front air-shock valve housing.

4. Attach the vacuum source.

5. Attach the filler tube to the fork filler hole, the other end emersed in the clean fluid.

6. The vacuum source will suck the fluid into the fork and keep it there as long as there is a vacuum.

7. When all the fluid is in the fork, replace the screw and quickly disconnect the vacuum source. The HD service manual emphasizes not to allow the vacuum source to stay connected longer than necessary.

8. Repeat on second fork.

This procedure takes me about 15 min. and is outlined in the service manual, at least it is for my 1996 manual.