Replaced fork seal and changed fluid. 2009 fxdf

Upon replacing fluid, I had fork compressed with no spring nor spacer. I poured the amount into a pre-mix cup. I put in 26oz and compressed several times and checked. It was not even close to 5.5" from top...more like 6.5" from top of tube.

That sure seems to be a rather healthy amount difference.

What would be the correct level and amount?

 

When I put my Intiminators in, I did not premeasure but used a homemade tool to verify fork oil at 4.72" from top. My HDSM says 26.5 oz per fork, but all I remember for sure is that I had no problem doing the job buying 2 qts.

 

I've read 4.75" from top...at 26oz I was a few ounces away from that. I would guess 4oz's or better.

 

I also used a homemade tool to measure level from the top when I did progressive springs.

 

When I did mine i did not measure beforehand. I think the best method is with the forks off the bike, springs and spacers removed. Compress the forks fully and fill until you get the correct measurement from the top of the fork tube. Pump the fork tube 3 times and compress and measure again to be sure.

 

That's what I did but I filled my container to 26oz....it was way short in the tube. Almost like the tube was not compressed all the way or ? It was flat down with spacer or spring.

 

Don't worry about how many oz. Just fill it until you have the correct measurement from the top of the fork tube with it compressed.

how short is it?

 

no idea, it's been back together for weeks. my theory was not to overfill and see how it felt. Feels fine, I guess. I was curious if others found this measurement Vs amount put in to be not so exact.

 

Ok well I believe typically it's 160mm or between 5 to 6" from the top of the fork tube collapsed.

 

One of the best ways to be sure everything is "right" is to check your sag. In my case(2012 FB) I measured the max fork travel when I had the forks off and it was 4 5/8". After reinstalling them I measured my sag(total fork travel from zero weight on front wheel to where it moves with me sitting balanced on bike) and it was 1 1/4".

This sag is 27% of total shock travel which is within most recommendations of 25% to 33%.

Your #s should be similar.