Changing Fork Oil - Couple Questions
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
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Changing Fork Oil - Couple Questions
Just drained fork oil on 13' RGC. Manual calls for 10.7 ounces. I only got about 9.5 oz. out of the right leg and maybe just shy of 11 oz on the left. I was going to put in about 10.5 oz in each leg and call it good unless I should only put back "exactly" what came out ? Seems the left leg was a bit shy of what the manual calls for. I don't think we need to be absolute exact on these do we ? Noticed during the draining that the right leg came out black and dirty looking while the left oil came out red in color? Seems different oil was put in each leg ?
Also, anybody know the drain screw size for the legs ? Forks are chrome so I want to get some nice screws for replacement. Thanks for your help...
Also, anybody know the drain screw size for the legs ? Forks are chrome so I want to get some nice screws for replacement. Thanks for your help...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: New Braunfels, Texas
Your better off filling and checking fork oil by measurement rather then oz. You never know if you get 100% out. There is a cheep tool that is a must have for fork oil and it made by motion pro and you can buy it on amazon. It's under 20 bucks and you set it and overfill the tubes slightly and syringe it out until it's done and then the fork oil is set perfect.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
The best way is to measure the height of the oil in the forks because this is something you want to get right. Your manual will tell you what the height is supposed to be. Motion Pro makes a tool that works perfectly for this.
EDIT: What rooti said.....
EDIT: What rooti said.....
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
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Well thanks for the tool link but the oil is already drained out. Seems a little too rocket science to me for HD Forks. It obviously wasn't filled properly to begin with from HD and the front end didn't explode ! Think I'll just go with the 10.5 oz and ride..
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Boise, Idaho
I agree it aint rocket science. 10.5 oz will do the job nicely.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Pacific Northwest
With the springs in the forks stroke them through a couple of times to be sure all the old fish oil is out. Then simply fill both legs with 10.5 oz. each and you're golden.
You're going to be amazed at the difference new oil makes.
You're going to be amazed at the difference new oil makes.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
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Why are you changing the fork oil on a 13 unless you have 50k on it. You can always use compressed air and blow out the fork tubes. When I changed my fork oil in my old bike, I didn't measure how much drain, just let it drain over night or blow it out. Fill what it calls for. Too much or too little not good.
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From: Glendale AZ
I let it drain till no more came out then put 11oz back in. I wasn't as worried about how much came out as I was how much was going back in, too many variables to consider. Hind-side, I should have flushed it out couple times before buttoning it down, but it's not like I wouldn't be able to get back in there so, next time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Denham Springs, La
The first time I changed fork oil I got less out of one fork than the other. I had to stick a toothpick in the drain hole to clear it so the rest would drain out.
That makes me think that taking the forks off and cleaning them out would be the best way to do it but that looks like a pretty big job to me.
Mine's just about due to be changed now. I think I'll drain the oil and find some kind of cleaning fluid to flush the forks like Tucci is saying.
What would be a good fluid, besides more fork oil (kinda expensive) to flush with?
That makes me think that taking the forks off and cleaning them out would be the best way to do it but that looks like a pretty big job to me.
Mine's just about due to be changed now. I think I'll drain the oil and find some kind of cleaning fluid to flush the forks like Tucci is saying.
What would be a good fluid, besides more fork oil (kinda expensive) to flush with?