I want to change out the fork oil on my bike(09XL1200L) And would like to know which brand is good and will make a difference and wont send me to the poorhouse in doing so. Cant afford the progressives(have a seat and swindscreen to save for by Xmas). Thanks for any help.

 

Harry, I'm not so sure about my making a recommendation but I can tell you what I did and works very well for me. I had experience with BelRay from my MotoCross days, riding a MAICO and know BelRay to be quality products. I installed Progressive fork springs in my 2007 1200C and run BelRay 7w fork oil, the wheel follows the countour of the road, absorbs bumps without losing its poise. That's it. This combination works in perfect harmony with the Progressive 13.5" 440 standards in the rear.

 

1200....Just curious as to which part number did you opt for to your Fork Springs?

 

I ordered=====11-1527 and used the 3" spacers at their full length. The Progressive spring wire is ovoid in cross section and is 4.5mm in the heighth direction. The stock wire is 4mm and round in cross section. I placed the progressively wound part of the spring down due to the long spring having much, "inertia of place", this would cause the progressive end to act first which in my mind makes sense. If the progressively wound end were placed at the top the entire spring would have to move before the progressive feature could be utilised. That's my little biddy minds take on it anyway. Some will jump in here and say it makes no difference but I think it does.

 

I use Amsoil Shock Therapy 5W.

 

1200...Makes Sence....where did you find your FOL-1 Servicing Tool?

 

I got it from J&PCycles.com, I bought it with the fork springs and the BelRay fork oil.

Let see if this link will work, many times a link like this goes to the page before a product.

http://www.jpcycles.com/search/searc...text=0&Ntk=All

 

Almost any brand will be OK...even Harley's.
I think the cost is about $7.50 a bottle and you need two bottles.

What is most important is what weight oil?
When you write "make a difference" what do you mean...less dive, less compression or rebound etc.?

I saw a chart on this forum of actual oil weights per brand. I believe 7.5 weight is what type E is and Screaming Eagle is 15.

You can also reduce dive with a 1/2 oz extra oil in each leg and gwith 7.5 or 10 weight. 15 is too restrictive/ thick so you'll slow own/ increase rebound dampening too much IMHO.

A fork oil level tool and fork cap socket tool are worth its cost.