Flushing out old fork oil

[miket@wattsenterprises]

Changed out fork oil from 2008 Pitbull for first time. Oil was black and consistency of gear lube. before adding new 10 W fork oil wondering if anyone has flushed out the old oil with some type of cleaner before installing new oil. See nothing on any threads about flushing out forks

 

[SKOGDOG]

I wouldn't use any kind of solvent because it might dilute your new oil, and I think a few ounces of fresh oil run through would do the trick.
I just rebuilt mine so I didn't have to deal with that issue.

 

[kickstart]

I just put some oil in and pumped the lower legs a few times and it did change the color of the new oil so some of the crud was removed.

If you do use something like diesel or Kero I would flush with clean oil and then fill with new oil.

 

[BWG56]

Changed out fork oil from 2008 Pitbull for first time. Oil was black and consistency of gear lube. before adding new 10 W fork oil wondering if anyone has flushed out the old oil with some type of cleaner before installing new oil. See nothing on any threads about flushing out forks

I just put some oil in and pumped the lower legs a few times and it did change the color of the new oil so some of the crud was removed.
I would flush with clean oil and then fill with new oil.

X2 but are you sure about the 10W? my 07' takes 30W, I used Harley Screamind Eagle Heavy Duty

 

[bruce]

I have sprayed out with brake cleaner, it clean out old and dry quick - and then fill with new oil.

 

[Dragonslave]

I have sprayed out with brake cleaner, it clean out old and dry quick - and then fill with new oil.

Brake cleaner works well for this. Just hit it with a compressed air hose to make sure all of it is gone before filling back with new oil.

 

[woodbutcher]

BDM recommended 30wt. i replaced with 20wt and wished i hadn't. made it too soft and will go back to 30wt the next time.

 

[Dragonslave]

Just did mine with 30 wt

 

[Sven]

We have a winner. The plastic snout tube is going to push any metal wear out of the lower leg's center hole, cut the old oil off the walls... Air dries. Go look with the sun and down the tube is clean as a whistle or there is still gunk to push out.

I have sprayed out with brake cleaner, it clean out old and dry quick - and then fill with new oil.

 

[BWG56]

Go look with the sun and down the tube is clean as a whistle or there is still gunk to push out.

Good terminology, every time I clean my guns I do the same down the barrel, and even though I check the receiver to be open and nothing in the chamber, 3 or 4 times before I look, it still don't seem like a smart thing to do. But hey, ya can't fix stupid

 

[miket@wattsenterprises]

X2 but are you sure about the 10W? my 07' takes 30W, I used Harley Screamind Eagle Heavy Duty

Service manual for 08 said 10W fork oil Pitbull only. I question using 10 W also. What came out was like jelly.

 

[BWG56]

Service manual for 08 said 10W fork oil Pitbull only. I question using 10 W also. What came out was like jelly.

. I would call Bigdogtech01, Andrew and see what he has to say, barnesperformance.com

However I just found this even for my 07', Inverted forks 10w, are your forks inverted?

 

[woodbutcher]

Service manual for 08 said 10W fork oil Pitbull only. I question using 10 W also. What came out was like jelly.

that "jelly" was probably contaminated with water.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

BDM recommended 30wt. i replaced with 20wt and wished i hadn't. made it too soft and will go back to 30wt the next time.

I made the same mistake as well ..20wt I noticed it looking a Pogo stick down the highway. Not a good look

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

 

[SKOGDOG]

Just Got back from a KS to Daytona round trip and I'm happy with the performance of the 10 wt in my K9 front end...it's a custom, but it rebuilds with Softail parts. A mechanic told me that the longer front end performs better with the lighter oil. Has to do with the front end geometry and rake/trail, which is easy to grasp, but the operation is complicated---above my pay grade....

 

[miket@wattsenterprises]

. I would call Bigdogtech01, Andrew and see what he has to say, barnesperformance.com

However I just found this even for my 07', Inverted forks 10w, are your forks inverted?

No similat to Mastiff forks with less rake and 23" wheel

 

[BWG56]

No similat to Mastiff forks with less rake and 23" wheel

If they are not inverted then I would go with the 30w, Harley sells it

 

[kickstart]

Last summer I used 20 wt and it is fine with just me on the bike, Kaptain told me the heavier guys need the 30 wt

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Just Got back from a KS to Daytona round trip and I'm happy with the performance of the 10 wt in my K9 front end...it's a custom, but it rebuilds with Softail parts. A mechanic told me that the longer front end performs better with the lighter oil. Has to do with the front end geometry and rake/trail, which is easy to grasp, but the operation is complicated---above my pay grade....

Are those forks inverted? Seems like the inverted forks are recommended for lower viscosity.

I had put 20WT on my ridgeback and I wasn't happy. Unless the tire is out of balance causing it? I run Dyna Beads so it shouldn't be....

I changed over to 30WT but haven't even gotten that bike out of the garage yet this year been too busy messing with the K9. I'm curious to see if this fixes the front end.

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

 

[BWG56]

Harley doesn't put the weight of oil on their containers. I asked for some 30 weight oil and they gave me their heavy duty Harley fork oil.

Andrew told me to get the Harley oil, its called Screaming Eagle Heavy fork oil