Softening Front Forks
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 17
From: U S of A
Softening Front Forks
Riding a '13 FLHR. Here in Oklahoma, we are home to some of the sh***iest roads found anywhere. The bike rides great until I get into areas where they've tarred over the cracks in the road. The front end gets to bouncing on me. Thinking about removing a little fork oil.
I weigh 160lbs. When solo, I run about 10psi in the rear, but the front is still stiff. Has anyone reduced the fork oil and found it to help? Did it negatively impact riding 2-up? My wife weighs 125lbs, but with most of her weight over the rear tire, thinking it wouldn't affect the front much. I've never messed with fork oil on any make of bike. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I weigh 160lbs. When solo, I run about 10psi in the rear, but the front is still stiff. Has anyone reduced the fork oil and found it to help? Did it negatively impact riding 2-up? My wife weighs 125lbs, but with most of her weight over the rear tire, thinking it wouldn't affect the front much. I've never messed with fork oil on any make of bike. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,756
From: Western South Dakota
You could go with a heavier fork oil weight or if you want to take care of it you could put Progressive Mono-Tube Shocks in. That's what I and many others on this site have done. No more bounce.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 502
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota, Florida
You could use Amsoil 5 wt fork oil. That will soften the ride but when you soften the ride, you get more brake dive.
I have used their 5wt, and it worked for me. Bike stopped hopping over bumps. Instead, the forks absorbed them.
I have used their 5wt, and it worked for me. Bike stopped hopping over bumps. Instead, the forks absorbed them.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 13
From: Mentor, Ohio
I have an 05 electraglide...so it has that goofy 2 yr trial of oil one side cartridge on the other something like that...went to heavier oil, stopped dive ride great..and talk about crappy roads come to Cleveland...lol
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 17
From: U S of A
Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into the Amsoil and the Progressives.
Maybe "hopping" is a better word than "bouncy." The front end is stiff, and rather than absorb the bumps, I am getting a lot of the bump transmitted into the bike and the front tire feels like it hops sometimes. The forks by themselves are definitely not bouncy.
Maybe "hopping" is a better word than "bouncy." The front end is stiff, and rather than absorb the bumps, I am getting a lot of the bump transmitted into the bike and the front tire feels like it hops sometimes. The forks by themselves are definitely not bouncy.
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