Getting Oil Back into Shocks ???
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 2
From: Mount Prospect, IL
Getting Oil Back into Shocks ???
There has to be an easy way to get the oil back into touring shocks in the attempt to swap out the oil.
I had no problem getting the oil out by hanging the shocks upside down in a bucket and letting them drain.
But now I have tried a few methods of getting the oil back in with no luck. I have tried to screw in a transmission oil bottle into the hole and let gravity do the trick (even with a hole punched into the bottle to let the air out) and it's not working. Even tried the "meat injector" method with no results.
Do I need to reinstall the shocks on the bike and pump them up and down to get the oil in?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott
I had no problem getting the oil out by hanging the shocks upside down in a bucket and letting them drain.
But now I have tried a few methods of getting the oil back in with no luck. I have tried to screw in a transmission oil bottle into the hole and let gravity do the trick (even with a hole punched into the bottle to let the air out) and it's not working. Even tried the "meat injector" method with no results.
Do I need to reinstall the shocks on the bike and pump them up and down to get the oil in?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
Lots of posts on here about this do a search. Out of all of them I think the preferred/easiest method was with a Mighty Vac pump kit. You can Google it. But there were ways to do it without the expense of the pump.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Yes you need to pump them, I built a press; with a barb fitting on the shock and a piece of hose connected to a small funnel, compress the shock, add a little fluid, release the shock and it sucks it in very slowly, repeat untill you get it all in. It is a slow process better done with two people and some beer
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
I did not have to pump the shocks. I used a large syringe without a needle. You can ask for one at the pharmacy or a veterinarian office. Others purchased one of those turkey injectors from a grocery or specialty cooking store.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 2
From: Mount Prospect, IL
Atrain68,
I purchased the "turkey" syringe but I can't seem to get the needle down the little hole inside of where the air line fitting goes. Should I not use the needle and just "press" the end of the syringe into the hole and use the pressure of the pushing of the syringe to get the oil in?
Thanks,
Scott
I purchased the "turkey" syringe but I can't seem to get the needle down the little hole inside of where the air line fitting goes. Should I not use the needle and just "press" the end of the syringe into the hole and use the pressure of the pushing of the syringe to get the oil in?
Thanks,
Scott
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: SE Wisconsin
I fooled around with the stock shocks for weeks, tried different oil's and different amounts.
Looked at some of the high end shocks but didn't feel like spending that much.
Just MHO
Ended up trying the new touring shocks from harley, the ones with one adjustment ****.
Extremely satisfied with them!
Looked at some of the high end shocks but didn't feel like spending that much.
Just MHO
Ended up trying the new touring shocks from harley, the ones with one adjustment ****.
Extremely satisfied with them!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
If i was on my laptop Ive got that thread on my DYI favorites folder allowing you access the authors PM location. Hes got pics and details that would help enormously....when i get home I will see if I can forward you the thread..if you dont hear from me later today send me a PM to remind me and I will see what I can do.....while Im here, does anyone know where I can get extra hose from...I want to relocate the air nozzle to a location that I dont need to remove the bag.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
Atrain68,
I purchased the "turkey" syringe but I can't seem to get the needle down the little hole inside of where the air line fitting goes. Should I not use the needle and just "press" the end of the syringe into the hole and use the pressure of the pushing of the syringe to get the oil in?
Thanks,
Scott
I purchased the "turkey" syringe but I can't seem to get the needle down the little hole inside of where the air line fitting goes. Should I not use the needle and just "press" the end of the syringe into the hole and use the pressure of the pushing of the syringe to get the oil in?
Thanks,
Scott
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 811
Likes: 53
From: Emmett, Idaho
Scottdoege:
It sounds as if you are trying to put the new oil through the existing compresion fitting. This is NOT the way to do the oil change. Unscrew the air line compression fittings from the shock. Go to the hardware store and get a quater-inch NPT 90-degree or 45-degree fitting. Also buy a barbed/threaded fitting that screws onto the 90 onto which you slip the appropriate size cheap clear plastic tube. Put the other end of the tube on a small funnel.
Now, you need to be able to compress the shock. Many things will work like a shop press, a hydraulic pipe bender (what I used), or a homemade jig. I do not believe you can successfully compress the shock by hand, especially if you are doing this alone. I wouldn't even try that method.
Compress the shock and put oil in the funnel. Slowly release compression and it will suck the fluid into the shock very nicely. You will have to do this compression and release several times to get all the oil in. On my Ultra stock shocks I used 11 ounces. Others have used 12 ounces. Replace the original air fitting and keep the shocks upright until installation.
I used BelRay 7.5 wt shock oil. Whichever you use it must be shock oil, not fork oil. Put the exact same amount of oil in the second shock. For me the oil change was remarkably good. I never put in any air and have a smooth ride. I even have an onboard air compressor attached to the air line fittings and never use it.
On an Ultra at least, I cannot say that buying expensive aftermarket shocks is very sensible since you can adjust your shock response quite well just with different oil in the stock shocks.
Also, if you do not own a way to hydraulically compress the shocks for the oil addition phase, see if your local rental store has a hydraulic pipe bender (the kind that uses a hydraulic jack for the bending pressure). It worked great for me.
It sounds as if you are trying to put the new oil through the existing compresion fitting. This is NOT the way to do the oil change. Unscrew the air line compression fittings from the shock. Go to the hardware store and get a quater-inch NPT 90-degree or 45-degree fitting. Also buy a barbed/threaded fitting that screws onto the 90 onto which you slip the appropriate size cheap clear plastic tube. Put the other end of the tube on a small funnel.
Now, you need to be able to compress the shock. Many things will work like a shop press, a hydraulic pipe bender (what I used), or a homemade jig. I do not believe you can successfully compress the shock by hand, especially if you are doing this alone. I wouldn't even try that method.
Compress the shock and put oil in the funnel. Slowly release compression and it will suck the fluid into the shock very nicely. You will have to do this compression and release several times to get all the oil in. On my Ultra stock shocks I used 11 ounces. Others have used 12 ounces. Replace the original air fitting and keep the shocks upright until installation.
I used BelRay 7.5 wt shock oil. Whichever you use it must be shock oil, not fork oil. Put the exact same amount of oil in the second shock. For me the oil change was remarkably good. I never put in any air and have a smooth ride. I even have an onboard air compressor attached to the air line fittings and never use it.
On an Ultra at least, I cannot say that buying expensive aftermarket shocks is very sensible since you can adjust your shock response quite well just with different oil in the stock shocks.
Also, if you do not own a way to hydraulically compress the shocks for the oil addition phase, see if your local rental store has a hydraulic pipe bender (the kind that uses a hydraulic jack for the bending pressure). It worked great for me.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
First, go to the auto parts store and buy some black plastic vacume hose that has inside diameter so that you can push the turkey baster needle into it and it will be tight. Next take the short peice of hose that goes to your left rear shock off and insert it into the other end of the turkey baster hose. Now, measure out appx 10oz of shock oil and put it into a cup, draw fluid into the turkey baster and insert the hose into your shock air hose fitting. Make sure the hose is seated in the shock, slowly compress the turnkey baster plunger until all the oil has gone into the shock. Press and hold down the top portion of the hose fitting on your shock to release the hose and slowly remove it, in the process you will be releasing some pressurized air from the shock. Do this process until you have inserted all 10oz of shock fluid.
That's how I removed the oil and inserted the new oil. Took less than 45 minutes.
That's how I removed the oil and inserted the new oil. Took less than 45 minutes.