My Progressive fork springs have arrived and I'm ready to do the install, but I need to buy fork oil.&nbsp\\; I've read many recommendations on the internet to use Bel-Ray 15W fork oil, but I've called over a dozen dealers and cycle shops and can't find anyone who stocks it.

Can anyone recommend me a good alternative to Bel-Ray 15W, or should I just go with the HD stuff?

Thanks.

 

You can just use the HD fluid. I don't recommend the SE fork oil (15w) though with the progressive springs. The standard fork oil works better IMO. The 15w plus Progressive springs makes the front end pretty ridged, a 10w seems good to me.

 

First of all how much do you weigh? What do you want from your bike? Good handling or soft ride? The best idea is to chage one thing at a time. Put in your new springs with stock oil, then if you want someting diffrent get heavier or lighter oil.

 

Darn, I was afraid of that.&nbsp\\; My progressive springs will be here tomorrow.&nbsp\\; I already have some of the Screamin Eagle fork oil from when I switched to that with the stock springs.&nbsp\\;
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Looks like I now have an excuse to take a ride to the Harley Dealer.&nbsp\\; Now the question....which Harley Dealer.&nbsp\\; Certainly not the one that is only 8 miles away.&nbsp\\; What's the fun in that??

 

I'm 185 pounds and more interested in a soft ride.&nbsp\\; I assume your recommendation will be HD stock fork oil (which I'm guessing is 10W?).

 

I've got progressive springs in my Heritage and went down the full 2 inches. I went with SE fork oil and am happy with it. The front still rides nice, stiffer than stock yes, but not annoying by any means.
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Remember this too, at least this is true for my bike....the stiffer ride keeps the bike from bottoming out...so for me i'll accept the stiffness for a little more insurance that I'm not going to bottom out the front end as easily.
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Yes Blue Potato the standard HD fork oil is 10W&nbsp\\; The Screamin Eagle Fork oil is 15W, and it does stiffen up the front considerably.&nbsp\\; It worked great with the stock springs, but now those are just slap worn out.&nbsp\\; I suspect the Screamin Eagle will be too heavy for the progressive springs.

 

Thanks for the advice.&nbsp\\; I'll be picking up the fork oil today or tomorrow and finishing off the job.

 

I'm 230, and I use the 10W with Progressive springs, and the same quantity of fork oil as stock. I still hate the front end. The rear is plush with the Progressive 412s - they took some time for me to appreciate. Now, all I feel is the front.
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No one has discussed the quantity of oil - unless you want to pull your forks off to measure - how much oil do you put in each leg?

 

BluePotato,
FYI, unless you are aproching 20,000 miles, you do not need to replace the fork oil to change the springs.&nbsp\\; Just take your time removing the stock springs, allowing the oil to drain off them.&nbsp\\; Follow the directions to measure the oil level (5 1/2" to 6"&nbsp\\;at center from top of fully compressed fork tube) and adjust as needed.&nbsp\\;
I left the stock oil in my '05 1200C and found a significantly improved ride with the progressive springs.
I am 230 lb.