Diving front end.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
Although the Electra Glide Front Forks are notorius for their diving, man or women should not be almost thrown over the fairing upon application of the brakes.
First question is when you apply the brakes, even slightly, does the front end dive all the way to the point that the forks are bottoming out. Second question is when they do dive do the recover slowly or do they simply snap hard back up. If you are not feeling a decent amount of resistance as the forks are diving and some amount of gradual rebound resistance then I would say you are lacking the proper amount of oil in one or both of your forks.
Even if you immediately lock up your front brakes that should not cause your forks to collapse so rapidly that you would feel like your going to be tossed over the windshield.
The purpose of the springs in your forks is to counter gravity (hold the front of the bike up). The purpose of the oil is to provide both compression dampening and rebound dampening so that the forks don't collapse too fast or rebound to fast.
First question is when you apply the brakes, even slightly, does the front end dive all the way to the point that the forks are bottoming out. Second question is when they do dive do the recover slowly or do they simply snap hard back up. If you are not feeling a decent amount of resistance as the forks are diving and some amount of gradual rebound resistance then I would say you are lacking the proper amount of oil in one or both of your forks.
Even if you immediately lock up your front brakes that should not cause your forks to collapse so rapidly that you would feel like your going to be tossed over the windshield.
The purpose of the springs in your forks is to counter gravity (hold the front of the bike up). The purpose of the oil is to provide both compression dampening and rebound dampening so that the forks don't collapse too fast or rebound to fast.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 107
From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.
My 2 cents worth. If it DIDN'T do it last week/month, and it is DOING it now, something broke. If there isn't a lot of oil running down your front tubes, or marking the floor it is a good bet it doesn't need any fork oil, it doesn't evaporate. You could have lost an 'O' ring, valving could be sticking, or as wizard suggested breaks grabbing. If you are under warranty, let Harley screw with it.
Wife had a problem with her front break after she triked. After her Chemo treatments left her feet and legs numb from the calf down, she couldn't feel the break pedal and tended to overuse her front break. I could see her nose diving when she stopped. She had to learn to 'feel' the breaking with her body. Press the pedal and feel yourself moving forward as the trike braked. After her PT got her walking 'normally' again, she can feel the foot and hand breaks.
Good Luck!
Wife had a problem with her front break after she triked. After her Chemo treatments left her feet and legs numb from the calf down, she couldn't feel the break pedal and tended to overuse her front break. I could see her nose diving when she stopped. She had to learn to 'feel' the breaking with her body. Press the pedal and feel yourself moving forward as the trike braked. After her PT got her walking 'normally' again, she can feel the foot and hand breaks.
Good Luck!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Nashville
Diving
Although the Electra Glide Front Forks are notorius for their diving, man or women should not be almost thrown over the fairing upon application of the brakes.
First question is when you apply the brakes, even slightly, does the front end dive all the way to the point that the forks are bottoming out. Second question is when they do dive do the recover slowly or do they simply snap hard back up. If you are not feeling a decent amount of resistance as the forks are diving and some amount of gradual rebound resistance then I would say you are lacking the proper amount of oil in one or both of your forks.
Even if you immediately lock up your front brakes that should not cause your forks to collapse so rapidly that you would feel like your going to be tossed over the windshield.
The purpose of the springs in your forks is to counter gravity (hold the front of the bike up). The purpose of the oil is to provide both compression dampening and rebound dampening so that the forks don't collapse too fast or rebound to fast.
First question is when you apply the brakes, even slightly, does the front end dive all the way to the point that the forks are bottoming out. Second question is when they do dive do the recover slowly or do they simply snap hard back up. If you are not feeling a decent amount of resistance as the forks are diving and some amount of gradual rebound resistance then I would say you are lacking the proper amount of oil in one or both of your forks.
Even if you immediately lock up your front brakes that should not cause your forks to collapse so rapidly that you would feel like your going to be tossed over the windshield.
The purpose of the springs in your forks is to counter gravity (hold the front of the bike up). The purpose of the oil is to provide both compression dampening and rebound dampening so that the forks don't collapse too fast or rebound to fast.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: Renton, WA
Right after I got my bike I put in heavier fork oil to counter the dive. At 10K, the dealer changed the fork oil. I about flew over the windshield under a very hard stop. Went back to the heavier oil right away. Check the invoice and see if they "did you a favor"...
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Nashville
Update...there is no update. Due to not having a garage for the winter, I had to take the TG to my daughter's garage that is 60 miles away. So, hopefully, will have a house soon so I can bring her home to have work done. Right now "Big Mama" is under sheets and plugged in to the battery tender.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
My 2 cents worth. If it DIDN'T do it last week/month, and it is DOING it now, something broke. If there isn't a lot of oil running down your front tubes, or marking the floor it is a good bet it doesn't need any fork oil, it doesn't evaporate. You could have lost an 'O' ring, valving could be sticking, or as wizard suggested breaks grabbing. If you are under warranty, let Harley screw with it.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Yeah, I agree with what he said.
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