Rear shock fluid change WOW !
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Rear shock fluid change WOW !
Hello, finally emptied and refilled a extra pair of 13" rear factory air shocks from my old 2004 Road King, swapped them for IAS 440's years back.
I used synthetic ATF- automatic transmission fluid which is supposed to be around 7 weight depending upon which source you get the info from. I got the info here on the forums after reading and saving many postings on this subject.
Finally took it for a ride with 10 pounds of air pressure and all I can say so far is WOW ! I should have done this a long time ago.
I will be playing with air pressure and load on the bike to see and relearn the air settings.
The pair that were on the bike might get a different weight of fork oil like 10 weight or something and I will compare. It takes what, 10 minutes to change shocks with a 3/4" socket ?
Anyhow If anyone has been thinking of doing this STOP THINKING AND DO IT !!!!!!!! You do not need a mighty vac, fittings or special tools. I only bought a horse syringe and used a measuring cup for mixing 2- stroke oil, cost under 6 bucks at tractor supply.
Here is the link with details to my hillbilly work.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...lly-style.html
Just DO IT !! Do IT !!
I used synthetic ATF- automatic transmission fluid which is supposed to be around 7 weight depending upon which source you get the info from. I got the info here on the forums after reading and saving many postings on this subject.
Finally took it for a ride with 10 pounds of air pressure and all I can say so far is WOW ! I should have done this a long time ago.
I will be playing with air pressure and load on the bike to see and relearn the air settings.
The pair that were on the bike might get a different weight of fork oil like 10 weight or something and I will compare. It takes what, 10 minutes to change shocks with a 3/4" socket ?
Anyhow If anyone has been thinking of doing this STOP THINKING AND DO IT !!!!!!!! You do not need a mighty vac, fittings or special tools. I only bought a horse syringe and used a measuring cup for mixing 2- stroke oil, cost under 6 bucks at tractor supply.
Here is the link with details to my hillbilly work.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...lly-style.html
Just DO IT !! Do IT !!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Considering doing this to my 11.5" rear air rides that have started bottoming out and provides very little dampening.
Is there some place to check for the amount of oil needed to fill them back up?
Is there some place to check for the amount of oil needed to fill them back up?
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I know this but I wanted to do the job as simply as possible, though removing a fitting is as easy as removing a bolt. There are many different ways this job can be done. Removing fittings would have added a level of complexity I was not prepared to face !! Seriously though it was very easy to do, could have been faster but it is winter so who cares ?
12.8 oz per shock is what I used.
I saw several charts posted here on the Forum that had charts on weight of different manufacturers fork/suspension oils, synthetic ATF was supposed to be around 7 weight. I used what I had on the shelf which was Valvoline or was it AC Delco ??
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I got the information here on the forums for the amount for the oil. I did not pay attention to the short shock amount, sorry. Do a search it is fast and easy and the information is there.
Another method that texasbowhunter used was to add the new fluid, install shock on bike and leaving the air fitting open sit on the bike and move it. Some fluid would come out but the theory was that not only would the amount I each shock be equal but as the suspension cycled it would not be trying to compress the fluid. I recall he reported it rode even better. For curiosity I did this but left the stubs of the air lines in place and no fluid was displaced.
Another method that texasbowhunter used was to add the new fluid, install shock on bike and leaving the air fitting open sit on the bike and move it. Some fluid would come out but the theory was that not only would the amount I each shock be equal but as the suspension cycled it would not be trying to compress the fluid. I recall he reported it rode even better. For curiosity I did this but left the stubs of the air lines in place and no fluid was displaced.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 9
From: NY-NC
I did the mod and are very pleased. Dealer told me that the shocks were non serviceable. Ha Ha
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I never believe the dealer. Way too many times they have tried to feed me lies.
Most memorable was that using synthetic oil will cause my bearings to skid because it is too slippery !!
Most memorable was that using synthetic oil will cause my bearings to skid because it is too slippery !!
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I know this but I wanted to do the job as simply as possible, though removing a fitting is as easy as removing a bolt. There are many different ways this job can be done. Removing fittings would have added a level of complexity I was not prepared to face !! Seriously though it was very easy to do, could have been faster but it is winter so who cares ?
12.8 oz per shock is what I used.
I saw several charts posted here on the Forum that had charts on weight of different manufacturers fork/suspension oils, synthetic ATF was supposed to be around 7 weight. I used what I had on the shelf which was Valvoline or was it AC Delco ??
12.8 oz per shock is what I used.
I saw several charts posted here on the Forum that had charts on weight of different manufacturers fork/suspension oils, synthetic ATF was supposed to be around 7 weight. I used what I had on the shelf which was Valvoline or was it AC Delco ??
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I think just about any oil less than 10 weight is going to be a major improvement over the stock stink oil whatever it was. Same crap I my Honda Dirtbikes with Showa forks.
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