Fork Oil

Just got back from Indy shop that has a very experienced Harley trained mechanic. I went there got fork oil and spoke with the mechanic. He insists that I put in 10.5 oz into each tube. I reminded him the factory manual calls for 12.9 oz on a fluid change. He said don't do it do 10.5. Any comments guys???

I always do what the manual says, did he give a reason for only putting in 10.5?

As it turns out I dropped the oil let it drain good. I then measured it guess what ? 10.5 oz exactly came out! So he was right. 2.4 oz remained in the forks. The manual said 12.9 on a REFILL not on a total disassembly.

There is usually a spec for a dry fill and a wet fill. If you are just changing the oil out it would be the least amount given in the manual.

Yep and that's what the manual says for a fluid change not an overhaul or disassembly. There are 2 sections in manual 1 for regular or scheduled servicing the other for disassembly. The routine service calls for 12.9.

The more fluid that you put in the stiffer the suspension. The less, the softer.

I learned a lesson, don't believe what you read even if it says Harley Davidson Factory Manual.

Just checked my SM for the King...left and right are conventional type....says drain and add 11.1oz,install fork cap....Done!!

In the Disassemble/Assemble section it says to add 11.1ozs,then use front fork oil level gauge to set the oil level at 5.24" from top of tube with forks compressed,if no oils comes out through the gauge add oil until the gauge sets the oil level... So it doesn't give an amount of oil,buy their tool and set the level... F*#K that!!....if I don't go with monotubes next service...it'll be drain,measure and add same amount....if it's about 10- 11ozs that come out

I looked in manual for my 05 Fatboy and I had noted that when I put Progressive Springs in the front they recommended 10.5 oz of oil, I changed the springs at about 40,000 miles so I had only changed the fork oil a couple of times prior to that. I pretty sure I did it per the manual and didn't have any problems.

Mines also a 05.

Just checked the old Heritage book...much simpler... 11.5ozs wet- 12.5ozs dry...

Ok I'm looking all over my owners manual and the only info I can find says to disassemble, lubricate and inspect every 50,000 miles. Am I missing something here? No where (that I can find) does it give an interval for just changing fork oil. How often are you guys changing your fork oil?

Aloha...Mike

Service Manual says every 20,000 miles to change fork oil,I'm not that diligent...every couple of years or 30,000 or if I feel the front end getting soft....YMMV

Mine has 30 k and looked like shirt.

Graphite isn't yours?!?

Same here. Just did a little ride earlier. In the low 60 s and humidity is 16 %. Un heard of here. Feels like February in Az