What to use for fork oil?
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: along the shore of Mishigami
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#15
E= 5W. Oils are different with HD. If you have a =< 2006 SG than you can put in the amount your manual says. I did help with AdrianVail's bike but forget the measurements. Look and see what it says, but it is somewhere between 110mm ~ 130 mm. I do not own a 49mm new style Dyna so I do not remember. Use one of these PRO OIL LEVEL TOOL if you measure
Go to a race bike shop near you and purchase some good oil around the E style original HD 5W. The heavier the oil the more stiction (parasitic drag) and also the harsher the bike rides. You change the valving and not the weight of the oil if you wish to change the ride characteristics. The oil you put in the forks must lubricate the bushings as well as acting as a hydraulic pump. I do not recommend any oil other than fork oil but than again, it is your bike. Do not mixed the new and the old oils.
I also beg to differ with you as to whose fault the oil shortage is. You are the mechanic and not the parts guy. You should have had your install mapped out prior to starting.
Go to a race bike shop near you and purchase some good oil around the E style original HD 5W. The heavier the oil the more stiction (parasitic drag) and also the harsher the bike rides. You change the valving and not the weight of the oil if you wish to change the ride characteristics. The oil you put in the forks must lubricate the bushings as well as acting as a hydraulic pump. I do not recommend any oil other than fork oil but than again, it is your bike. Do not mixed the new and the old oils.
I also beg to differ with you as to whose fault the oil shortage is. You are the mechanic and not the parts guy. You should have had your install mapped out prior to starting.
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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#18
I also beg to differ with you as to whose fault the oil shortage is. You are the mechanic and not the parts guy. You should have had your install mapped out prior to starting.
The printout on the front end on HD computer was WRONG too. The guy comes out with a oil seal that looks like it belongs on 39mm. I told him that is not it, and what does he say? "Hmm, well I dont know what to tell you, this is the part number according to my diagram." - After taking it apart MYSELF - it was a COPPER WASHER on the very bottom of the fork tube. AND.. it is correctly listed in MY repair manual.
This is beyond oil. They SUCK. I have NEVER had a good experience with service at HD.
I mixed 16oz "E" with 10oz 20W motor oil. A lot better. Stiffer too. We'll see how she does this week.
Thanks for all the help gents, much appreciated.
#19
Rocket350, Unfortunately I do not have the manual on your bike. I do have all of the parts so if you need info on purchasing parts from HD I have all of the PN's. I would be glad to help you out with accurate infomation.
Remember that the new HD is not the same as the old ones. In the day before computers and motorcycling was not nearly as popular as it is now as well as the need got greed v/s passion, you went to the parts counterman. The counterman use to know HD motorcycles and could tell you what part could be interchanged with what part. Now the counterman could have just layed off from Circuit City and, like some they have never ridden a HD.
If I can help you in any way you are local & just give a call.
Remember that the new HD is not the same as the old ones. In the day before computers and motorcycling was not nearly as popular as it is now as well as the need got greed v/s passion, you went to the parts counterman. The counterman use to know HD motorcycles and could tell you what part could be interchanged with what part. Now the counterman could have just layed off from Circuit City and, like some they have never ridden a HD.
If I can help you in any way you are local & just give a call.
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Caltowgeorge (02-11-2020)
#20
I know it's a little after the fact - but I like the Bel Ray 15w Fork Oil I get from the local metric shop. I changed the fork oil at 5K and it was pretty nasty stuff. I swapped out the sliders for chrome this past winter and even after 7k miles on the fork oil - it looked brand new. Very happy with it.