Fork Rebuild and Oil Weight

pancakecircus

pancakecircus

Member
I'm finally getting around to rebuilding the forks on my '03 husky with about 9500 miles on it. Using Gas Mans how to here:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2498-how-service-your-forks.html

Gas man if you see this excellent, thanks for taking the time to document it.

they were gunked up pretty good and had very little oil left, i don't think there was 10oz between the two legs and one of the legs was pretty sticky. i ended up getting the full rebuild kit from JP cycles, it came with every thing but new dust seals for the big dog (it had 2 versions for Harley). Anyway I have a couple questions before i finish it up.

-fork oil weight and quantity, i bought 15wt over the summer but see people using anywhere from 10 to 30 wt. i have 10oz each leg in my notes.

-when i put it back together one of the damper rods was a real tight fit (i installed the new plastic bushings) the other was tight my not nearly as tight, do you think this will be an issue. i cleaned it all pretty damn good.

-any idea where to buy the dust seals?

Also i don't think it changes anything but i'm installing the Progressive springs

thanks :moped:
 
pancakecircus

pancakecircus

Member
looks like you have the complete rebuild kit too.. for 25 bucks cheaper than i paid.. damn. i'll have to bookmark your site

is it this?
Dust Cap O-Rings
Add this to my order please! ( +$2.50 ) (+0.03lbs)

how much is shipping to 97211?
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
Still working out the details of a lot of the parts but will have everything needed to do complete front end rebuilds soon, including fork tubes, and at reasonable prices.
 
G

gonebroke

Member
Just a shout out---I'll be placing a small order with you,thanks for your effort toward the big dog brotherhood!! :up:
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
pancakecircus said:
so any thoughts on the tight fit on the dampener or fork oil weight?
Click to expand...
The tight fit issue will certainly work itself out pretty quickly since the bushing is plastic.
As far as oil goes it is kind of a personal thing to each rider. If these were track bikes then it would be scientific of course but since they aren't......
If you want a stiff front end you can use Spectro Heavy E or H. This is what I run with progressive springs and I really like it, keep in mind I weigh 300 pounds. As far as the ounces needed. BD recommends 10oz per leg but of course that goes with the oil they recommend and once you vary from that formula you will have to experiment a bit. Since I went up in my oil viscocity I dropped mine to 9oz per leg. The level of oil directly affects your rebound dampening and since the oil is so much heavier the rebound dampening is too stiff at 10. I am considering dropping another oz but that remains to be seen. Of course purest will beat me down for this method but again its not a racer its a cruiser so I don't feel like farting around with the valving if I can accomplish what I want from other methods.
So in your case depending on your weight, riding style, and personal preference you will need to experiment a little to get exactly what you want.
 
pancakecircus

pancakecircus

Member
thanks, ill just go with the 15wt and see how i like it. i'm sure it'll be way better than it was. good luck getting your store up and running, i bookmarked it and will check it every once in a while
 
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