Fork oil change

[San Diego Dog]

This past weekend I changed my oil in the fork tubes on my 08 Mastiff. While I had the front wheel off and the front end up in the air on my stand, I noticed when I rotated the forks it was sticking and not smooth. I proceeded to remove the triple trees and when I got the lower bearing out and it was already worn out (loose in it's race). Not totallyt worn, but enough in my mind to replace it. I have only 9500 miles on it. Has anyone else noticed this problem? I guess it's because of the rake of the front end and it makes it hard on bearings. Just wasn't sure if I had a problem. Also I could only find 20w fork oil. Has anyone else used 20w without a problem? Is there more noticeable front end dive when the braking or cornering? :flag:

 

[07bigdog]

All i could find also was 20w Belray oil. Works fine. (10,000 miles)

 

[woodbutcher]

30 is better, 20 is acceptable but it does seem to me like it is a little softer/ has a little more movement up and down in the front end.

 

[MARV]

With th added rake on the trees of my 05 chop I'm using 7 wt.

Less chance of flexing.

IMO

 

[07bigdog]

The book calls for 30wt synethetic for an 07 K9.

 

[liferider]

I have a 04 Chopper and I get about 3000 miles out of my lower tripple tree bearing. And yes it is the rake. You look at some of these bikes OCC makes with these rakes that are more extreme than on the chopper and the Mastiff. You have to wonder if they mess the bearing up in 500 miles or do they make it to 750 miles.