Fork Oil Change

[Firebolt Pal]

I have searched and searched but haven't found any how too's on changing the fork oil. I am at 11,000+ miles and the manual says this needs to be done at 10,000 mile intervals. Can I even do this myself? Or do I need to take it to a shop.

I called my local dealership Buckeye Harley (Formerly F&S) and they quoted me $250!! I thought that was insane, how important is it to even change the oil?

 

[XBChuck9]

I'd be interested in the answer too.

 

[Firebolt Pal]

Yeah I found a video on YouTube but it was generic and seemed pretty straight forward. But would really like a more specific answer.

 

[Superman217]

=) I need to do mine as well. I can't see paying 700 buck for a 10k service. I'll do what I can and have them do the stuff I can't do or get equipment to do. I have the service manual and I guess I need to go through it again because I glanced at it and didn't see anything about a drain plug.. =( I love my 09 XB12R, but man it's getting hard to get good service from HD.

KG

 

[Firebolt Pal]

From the lack of responses, looks like it is time to make an appointment at the stealership.

 

[Drkside79]

Go post it on Badweb There are normally a few that will answer quickly. Try the xb board. I love both sites but i tend to get better tech help over there.

 

[pur pony]

look on youtube... there was a really good video on there for when i had to rebuild my forks.

 

[MotoPhreke]

Watch Along with Amy as she rebuilds her xb12ss Forks



Part 1



Part 2


I realize your only doing an oil change but this should give you an idea of what's involved in taking them apart..

[up]

 

[g3STRIKES]

its not that hard just intimidating they are actually as easy as conv. forks once u figure it out. there are some u tube vids for basics

 

[Iamarchangel]

They're actually fairly common forks. Some suspensions shops can give you a better rate.

Maybe a local race shop can help. The same forks are on Ducatis. I had a local Ducati shop do mine.

Actually, I had the forks done and two tires installed for less than the HD shop estimate for the forks alone… and I like my HD shop.

 

[Firebolt Pal]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Hammel13]

Thanks all i have been looking for this for a while now as well

 

[TPEHAK]

How much fork oil do I need to replace fork oil in 2009 Buell XB12 Scg? What kind of fork oil can I use instead the HYDRAULIC FORK OIL (TYPE E) Part No. 99884-80?

Will the BEL-RAY HIGH PERFORMANCE FORK OIL 20W work? 1L bottle is enough?

 

[user_deleted]

How much fork oil do I need to replace fork oil in 2009 Buell XB12 Scg? What kind of fork oil can I use instead the HYDRAULIC FORK OIL (TYPE E) Part No. 99884-80?

Will the BEL-RAY HIGH PERFORMANCE FORK OIL 20W work? 1L bottle is enough?

1L bottle sufficient. approximately 16oz per fork from completely dry fill. bel-ray is fine as is any of the popular cartridge fork oils. however.....20w not recommended. i use 7.5wt or 10wt.

 

[Chicknstripn]

It's not so much how much the amount of oil that needs to go in but at what level to fill the fork tube. The level is measured from the top of the fork tube. At least if you go by the service manual. Check out this thread from badweb. Should give you all the info you need. You can buy a special tool, for measuring the fork oil level, or you can get creative and DIY a tool.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/153628.html
You could also try to contain and measure every drop that comes out of the fork tube and replenish with the same amount.
I went by the service manual when I did mine.
I also agree that 20wt is a little heavy. I went with 12wt, I think, when I did mine. I wanted to have less fork dive without changing my springs. Worked out pretty good. I may be wrong on the exact weight I went with but I know I went heavier than the stock type "E" fork fluid.
I also believe the service manual or interval was amended and the recommended interval was changed to every 15 or 20k. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway.... ....good luck

 

[Cooter]

Wow! Zombie thread lives! Is that the same girl in the other vid's? Mrs. Logix?

I agree that 7.5W is good if you are >180lbs (with all your gear) and 10W if you're bigger than that.

 

[ztied]

Ask a non harley shop if they will rebuild them for you if you take them off and bring them in. It shouldnt cost an hours worth of labor. If the bike is too old and not worth our time ,we will rebuild the forks, if they bring them in. And all our harley guys dont know **** about the buells, or even simple tasks on metric bikes.

 

[mrlogix]

Is that the same girl in the other vid's? Mrs. Logix?

Nope, but would work too.....Just sayin'.....

 

[TPEHAK]

I'm confused. According the Belray tech answers the Harley-Davidson Type E is the equivalent to Bel-Ray High Performance Fork Oil 20W http://www.belray.com/sir_tech . According this chart http://www.spectro-oils.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HD-Fork-Oil-Data-Chart.pdf Harley-Davidson Type E weight is 20W. Did anyone tried 20W, how does it feel?

 

[TPEHAK]

Today I've finished fork oil change. I filled the fork with Bel-Ray High Performance Fork Oil 20W and then I rode the motorcycle and I see no difference with the previous oil was in the fork. I used this information to adjust the fork http://www.twinmotorcycles.nl/artikelen.asp?cid=20&aid=329 . The previous oil has red color, the Bel-Ray High Performance Fork Oil 20W has green color.