Refilling front fork oil

[dmolthen]

I'm replacing the fork oil in my 1998 FLHRC-I and can't get the oil in each fork. I'm using a small funnel and plastic tubing to get it in the fork cap bolt opening. When the fork oil goes in, it pools up at the opening and spills over. I've tried to do it slow but no luck. The manual says to just pour it in. The bike is on jacks with the front wheel off the ground so there is no pressure on forks. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[toorglide]

are you certain you got all the old oil out...when you have the drain bolt off the lower leg the bike needs to be on the ground and you need to compress the forks, put all yer body weight on the front end to push the hydraulic oil out

[gruss]

"D".......your torn down far enough to just pull the fork tubes off, and flip those babies upside/down.....if you have the fork caps removed, pull the springs out in a circular motion (helps keep the oil in the tubes) and invert the forks one at a time and pump the tubes to get all the oil out....

make sure as you fill each fork leg, you slowly pump the fork to expell the air trapped below the damping rods...then of course you'll need to suck out the excess oil down to the proper measurement....

pm me for more info if needed......g

[dmolthen]

Thanks Gruss. I just needed to pump the fork to get the air out.

[MrMarty51]

A very large syringe and a big needle works for Me.

[scol]

Originally Posted by MrMarty51

A very large syringe and a big needle works for Me.

Going from the top or bottom?

[gruss]

Originally Posted by scol

Going from the top or bottom?

top, the oil level is adjusted with the fork fully extended, and the level for yours will be down from the top of the fork tube 160 to 165 MM air space from the top of the tube to the oil level in the fork...

if your changing it, make sure on the refill that you slowly cycle the fork to remove the trapped air below the damping rod......

15wt. oil for the 39 mm showa fork.....is my advice.....

[scol]

Originally Posted by gruss

top, the oil level is adjusted with the fork fully extended, and the level for yours will be down from the top of the fork tube 160 to 165 MM air space from the top of the tube to the oil level in the fork...

if your changing it, make sure on the refill that you slowly cycle the fork to remove the trapped air below the damping rod......

15wt. oil for the 39 mm showa fork.....is my advice.....

Have the oil now waiting on the weather to warm up a bit and tax's to be finished. I've seen suction devices wondering if they worked now I'll pick one up.
Thanks gruss

[gruss]

Originally Posted by scol

Have the oil now waiting on the weather to warm up a bit and tax's to be finished. I've seen suction devices wondering if they worked now I'll pick one up.
Thanks gruss

[Blackdog 15]

You have to drain the fork tubes preferably over night....pull the axle and drop front wheel off bike, then pull the drains up in the bottom of the forks...6mm allen head...after they are fully drained re install the bolts in the tubes using new crush washers (copper)....measure the proper amount of fork oil into a oz calibrated powering devise...I got a 32 oz pitcher at Walmart....I then used a small funnel and poured the oil in ver slowly so as not to create an airlock.....It takes a few minutes, make sure you have some towels covering up your gas tank and front fender in case some gets spilled...after you get all the proper amount of fluid in re install your fork cap and tighten...FYI..there is a torque spec for the bolt in the bottom of the fork tube...can't remember it off the top of my head...maybe 12-15 ft lbs ???