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Changing front fork oil

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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:24 PM
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Default Changing front fork oil

I'm going to try to change my fork oil in my 08 RKC. I want to put in a heavier weight oil. Should I put it on the jack to get the front wheel off the ground, or can it be drained and filled while on the jiffy stand? Any other tips or tricks would be appreciated. I have the service manual which says the front wheel should be removed, but it seems like most on the forum drain and fill without removing the wheel. That's the method I'm going to try. Thanks in advance.
 
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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:27 PM
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Lift it to take the weight off the springs. Drain it, fill it with the recommended amount. Ride. Smile.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 01:10 AM
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Dont you need to remove the nacelle so you can get the top bolt off so you can release the springs so you can work the shock up and down??

The shop manual says you gotta remove both fork legs, which means the brakes, wheel, gaurd and nacelle..
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 02:58 AM
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Originally Posted by kingkingking
Dont you need to remove the nacelle so you can get the top bolt off so you can release the springs so you can work the shock up and down??

The shop manual says you gotta remove both fork legs, which means the brakes, wheel, gaurd and nacelle..
Although I prefer to remove my forks, it can be done with the forks still on the bike.
The OP would do a better job by removing the front wheel so he can work the fork legs and drain as much as possible. Remove top cap, then remove drain screw, grab lower fork leg and pump it.
He'll need to drain it in some kind of measuring device so as to get an accurate refill amount.
Most on this forum prefer the Screaming Eagle Fork Oil.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 03:09 AM
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Can you remove the top nut without pulling the nacelle??
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted by kingkingking
Can you remove the top nut without pulling the nacelle??
No sir.
Not unless you cut away the area of the nacelle that covers the top nut.

Wait.
Now you got me thinking.
I believe if you have a Fork Cap Socket and turn the bars full left/right...you can get in there to the caps.
 

Last edited by BadPiggy; Nov 7, 2009 at 03:15 AM.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 10:16 AM
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I was going to remove the nacelle, but I'll check and see if I can get to the top not by turning the forks. That would sure save some time. Is the SE Heavy fork oil thicker than what comes in the bike stock?
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l-weights.html
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 04:06 PM
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Doesn't take but just a minute to remove the ignition switch and fairing cap. SE heavy is thicker than stock. I use that and I think it feels better. Didn't put mine on a jack. Put a little in at a time then pumped it and put a little more in till I had it all in.
 

Last edited by Barrenmug; Nov 7, 2009 at 04:11 PM.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Barrenmug
Doesn't take but just a minute to remove the ignition switch and fairing cap. SE heavy is thicker than stock. I use that and I think it feels better. Didn't put mine on a jack. Put a little in at a time then pumped it and put a little more in till I had it all in.

the OP rides a RKC mate. So he has gotta pull his nacelle off.
 
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