rcpaints: Fork Oil /Rebuild Q&A

[Lee H. Mann]

Funny you should ask. I was looking tonight at part numbers to see where they made changes between 2009 and 2014. Different axles but the same bearings, different fork tubes and different lower legs but the same seals.... without one to examine against the other, I cannot make a determination. Without 2 assemblies next to each other, can't tell the difference in length. The obvious difference is the solid R/H lower and lack of drain screw.

[Sloufoot]

I think the reasoning behind the elimination of the drain was three fold.
1st- Less cost to manufacture. Sells for the same price.
2nd- More money in the service end for the dealer/Techs.
3rd- More money from worn parts from a 50,000 mile service interval. Where if you could drain at 10,000mi. you might keep it changed.

[Lee H. Mann]

I have been reading the posts on fork oil change as we are doing a spring change on the forks of a 2006 fatboy. At 86,000 kilometers we drained the fork oil into a glass container. We then put new fork oil in another glass container. The colors of both oils was identical. If you would have asked anyone to guess which oil had the 86,000 kilometres on it they would not be able to tell. This bike was driven normally, not aggressive and not babied

it is not pseudo it is a fact. No one changes oil in the hydraulics of a tractor or any other hydraulically operated equipment. Of course if the seals are leaking it will get contaminated and needs to be serviced other wise it will never get hot enough to start to breakdown. Of course this is only my opinion and also the opinion of many certified mechanics that aren't out to squeeze a dollar out of the misinformed

Do whatever you want. I myself have owned and driven a Harley for 55 plus years.

yes I have changed fork oil many times but only when replacing worn out seals and have never had a problem. Also I have never seen extremely dirty oil when I did change it On the other hand repacking the steering head bearings is a must in my books as they are subjected to a lot of dirt, high pressure washing ext.

This one below had to be completely overhauled with bushings and seals. It had also be Babied. The real interesting thing here is this motorcycle weighs half of what an FLH-FLT does and has the same size forks.