Fork Oil Change Made Easier
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Fork Oil Change Made Easier
I attempted a fork oil change on the 09 Ultra a week or so ago and used the method described in other posts using a funnel and clear plastic tube that will fit in the threaded hole once the tube cap was removed. Did that and had a small spill on one side, oil left inside the tube and funnel clinging to the sides etc. etc. After measuring out the correct amount of oil I had no idea if I actually had put in all or the correct amount.
There had to be a better way.
Well I went to the local farm supply store and picked up a 60CC syringe and some 1/4" OD X 1/8" ID fuel line hose.
Well the first test was the hose and sure enough you can get it through the hole in the inner cap and get it into the forks.
So fork oil drained and drain back in I suck fork oil in the syringe, put the line in the fork and attach the syringe to the line and squirt it in. Works perfectly! So manual says 10.7 oz or 317ml. 60CC syringe so 5 syringe fulls and another with 17CC (1ml is 1cc)
Only problem was the last 17cc as it started to come to the top of the tube so I left it for a bit to settle and then did the last 17cc's. Then took syringe off the tube and drew in some air and reattached to push the last bit of oil from the tube into the forks.
So I found this tool to be super accurate, less messy than a funnel and overall easier to use and control. Pics of the tube and syringe attached.
There had to be a better way.
Well I went to the local farm supply store and picked up a 60CC syringe and some 1/4" OD X 1/8" ID fuel line hose.
Well the first test was the hose and sure enough you can get it through the hole in the inner cap and get it into the forks.
So fork oil drained and drain back in I suck fork oil in the syringe, put the line in the fork and attach the syringe to the line and squirt it in. Works perfectly! So manual says 10.7 oz or 317ml. 60CC syringe so 5 syringe fulls and another with 17CC (1ml is 1cc)
Only problem was the last 17cc as it started to come to the top of the tube so I left it for a bit to settle and then did the last 17cc's. Then took syringe off the tube and drew in some air and reattached to push the last bit of oil from the tube into the forks.
So I found this tool to be super accurate, less messy than a funnel and overall easier to use and control. Pics of the tube and syringe attached.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
I did a fork oil change when I pulled my inner fairing off to get it painted. Of course the fork caps were very easy to get to and did not need any plastic tubing to fill, just a small tipped funnel. Actually it is the exact same type of funnel that H-D now sells for putting oil in the oil tank on Touring Bikes. It fit right in the hole real well. A little oil does stick to the side but I compensated by adding just a little bit more oil to the forks. When I drained the forks, with the front wheel off the ground by the way, I drained them each into a measuring cup to see how much came out then used that measurement, plus a tiny bit more, on refilling the tubes. With the wheel off the ground the tubes drain and fill very easy. No problems at all with the ride.
After all, these aren't the hydraulic cylinders used on the hatch the Space Shuttle door gunners use, they are just a set of Japanese forks.
After all, these aren't the hydraulic cylinders used on the hatch the Space Shuttle door gunners use, they are just a set of Japanese forks.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
I just finished my fork oil change about 10 minutes ago using iclick's writeup. Only difference was I used the HD oil catch that goes under the oil filter when draining as one other forum member suggested and I used a measuring cup for pouring it into the funnel. The tube with this funnel fits perfect.
Remember you have to only put in a few ounces at a time and then compress the shocks or it will over fill and drip down the shock.
Not saying you have a good way of doing it, just saying I had absolutely no mess doing the way the writeup was written.
Thanks iclick!!
Remember you have to only put in a few ounces at a time and then compress the shocks or it will over fill and drip down the shock.
Not saying you have a good way of doing it, just saying I had absolutely no mess doing the way the writeup was written.
Thanks iclick!!
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