How many K-9's had to replace whole forks?

[alphadog]

I had to replace the upper and lower forks at 16000 miles. I changed the fork oil twice before 12k. I replaced the fork seals and bushings around 12k. Yeah I know to little to late. The upper legs were scratched by then. My question is this. Am I going to have to keep replacing my entire front forks every 16k? If I change the fork seals and teflon coated copper bushings at 5k before they wear will this avoid ruining the forks? Is anyone else having this problem. My wrench says the rake and 12" over fork legs will always wear at their underside from stress.

 

[erldawg]

I'm getting ready to turn 16K no issues with wear at this point. I have changed fork oil and seals and bushing at 8K....

 

[f-okie]

Mine is fixing to hit 40,000 and no problems.:flag:

 

[woodbutcher]

like most things metal, once the wear starts it will go twice as fast as before. proper maintenance is at the forefront of prevention. change the bushings at around 8k and things should be better.

 

[bdmridgeback]

I have 10K on mine and have changed the seals twice already.

They show some wear but are fine. I also changed my lowers from the stock 2005
chrome ones to polished ones off a 2004.

Didn't want to deal with the chrome going to shit. Now, they get dull, I polish them!

 

[alphadog]

Thanks for the replies. It seems the front end is not forgiving as far as maintenance! I will have to start doing the front end myself. Getting too expensive to keep taking it to the mechanic every 5k miles.

 

[Black Rider]

Any detailed instructions on how to change the bushings?

 

[oldmutt]

Take a look at this post. All of your questions will be answered.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2498-how-service-your-forks.html

 

[woodbutcher]

I have 10K on mine and have changed the seals twice already.

They show some wear but are fine. I also changed my lowers from the stock 2005
chrome ones to polished ones off a 2004.

Didn't want to deal with the chrome going to shit. Now, they get dull, I polish them!

Jake, not just the seals. got to change the teflon coated bushings that the tubes ride on. one on the top and one on the bottom in each leg. once that teflon wears out, you are running on metal to metal. albeit brass to steel, it eventually states digging into the tubes. :2thumbs:

 

[liferider]

I have 9500 on my 2004 chopper and so far the forks are fine, it's the neck bearings that have busted twice due to the excess rake, according to Strokers Dallas.

 

[erldawg]

Thanks for the replies. It seems the front end is not forgiving as far as maintenance! I will have to start doing the front end myself. Getting too expensive to keep taking it to the mechanic every 5k miles.

Any detailed instructions on how to change the bushings?

Take a look at this post. All of your questions will be answered.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2498-how-service-your-forks.html

Not hard to do. Takes maybe a couple of hours working slow. I would suggest making sure you have all the tools first. 1 3/8 socket for the nut on top of fork tubes.
Seals and bushings are easily picked up at Harley Davidson....

 

[bryant1609]

Not hard to do. Takes maybe a couple of hours working slow. I would suggest making sure you have all the tools first. 1 3/8 socket for the nut on top of fork tubes.
Seals and bushings are easily picked up at Harley Davidson....

Have you done this before??? I haven't done this and have almost 16K and bike seems fine. But now after reading this thread I'm worried.

 

[liferider]

0810110561_tn.jpg

 

[liferider]

0810110561_tn.jpg

 

[Knuckles]

Over 20k on mine and have never done a thing to them. Question, do you trailer the bike a lot? I ask because I've seen bikes tied down that are not done properly. Tie downs need to be forward and not straight down...puts too much of a bind and the forks and bearings get damaged. My 2 cents

 

[alphadog]

Only on a trailer once when I bought it.

 

[woodbutcher]

Shane and i changed mine out at 8500 and the teflon was just about gone. you could see the brass showing through it in places.

 

[TCALZ06]

Any of you guys have pics? I don't think this is even part of the maintenance in the manual.
I've got just over 20k on mine and I'm curious

 

[woodbutcher]

Any of you guys have pics? I don't think this is even part of the maintenance in the manual.
I've got just over 20k on mine and I'm curious

check out Gas' "How-to" http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2498-how-service-your-forks.html