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Cruiser
Posts: 95
Alberta, Canada | At 24000 K my bike manual states that I should change my front fork oil. Question is has anyone not done this and is it a big deal if you don't do it?? My mechanic tells me it is a very time consuming ordeal!!! I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject particularily form the high mileage guys!! Thanks. PS I now have 25000 k on my red beauty!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Do a search .. you'll fin this been talked about alot. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Willmar, MN | It makes a huge difference. It will take you about 4 hours the first time and 1.5 to 2 after that. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | get a new tech, it is not that time consuming, in fact it would be a big money maker for him because he should be able to do it in half the recommended book time, what ever that is. You can do it yourself, and yes, yes, it makes a big difference.
I'm on 35,000 (I see you all shaking your head, and hear most of them rattle) since my last fork oil change. There is dive, especially with a hard front brake application, and it is getting a little worse the longer I go. It is perplexing that the the Wingers go without changing the fluid for many miles, some never changing theirs and Vic has a short life. But with that said, there is a lot of use going on up there, so it makes sense. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | im probably going to remove my front forks and just take them to a local motorcycle service shop. (less Hourly $$$) plus the victory front shock isnt brain surgery. i just dont have all the tools needed to do it right. but i do have a motorcycle (sears jack) to jack the bike up so i can remove the shocks. that should save a pretty penny on labor. plus it will give something to do when it starts to really get cold out! LOL |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | I had mine changed at 30,000 miles. I found that to be a good interval, no adverse effects. I'm coming up on 60,000 miles so my second fork oil change will be this winter. If you feel there is excessive front end dive when braking, then go ahead and do the service. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I don't know what I did at the 45,000 mile service, but I changed my fork oil because it needed it. I'm still on that change and have 40,000 miles, almost three times the recommended oil change. Not much dive at all, and no leakage. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | does anyone feel the first fork oil change is more important that any other? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I do... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 258
Akron, Ohio | Did my first at 10,000 miles. Went to synthetic 20 wt. I like the ride and with synthetic it will be a while before I do it again. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | im going to do mine over the winter (nothing else to do..) lol |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I do my fork oil every 30K, which equals every other year for me. No issues and my dealer is ok with that interval also. I'm about to roll over 50K on my original belt also and will keep going until the belt or sprocket show signs of wear. I think a lot of the mileage recommendations are based on 3-5,000 miles per year of typical cruiser riding so stuff like the fork oil and belt life are meant to be addressed every few years at least. In my opinion, a 50,000 mile belt is really a 10 year belt. The 15,000 fork oil averages out to every 3-5 years for a typical cruiser. Vision Riders, as a group, are racking up miles that are unheard of among typical Victory owners. (I know there are individual exceptions, but as a group....) I take my bike in to my dealer about every other month for an oil change and they check all this stuff every time. If I have any issues, they'll probably spot it before I will. I just changed out my original battery at the 3-year mark. It was working perfectly but I just didn't want to push my luck. I feel totally fine with my belt having 50K on it right now. It's basically a judgement call. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | I got the forks off and the oil changed this last week. Putting the forks back on today. I have a question to those that might know. The oil that came out was black in color. The oil was suppose to have been changed at 30,000 miles by the dealers mechanic, now I'm not sure if they did it then, I have alway thought they might not have. So that means this oil might have 60,000 miles on it. Anyone see black oil out of the forks before? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Not very black, but the interval is 15,000 if I'm not mistaken. I'm actually running around 45,000 at the moment and will change in the spring. I've not had the dive as I did in the past before the oil change, but I really won't know until I change it. No leaking seals or ill affect, yet. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Thanks Cap'n for your reply, I know you have changed the oil. Got the forks on today and took a little ride. Used the 10 viscocity on the change, seems to be what I expected.
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Tourer
Posts: 415
| I had mine done this winter at 30,000 miles. Dealer said everything was fine, just a little moisture in there.
Can't wait for Spring, with that and a new rear shock, bike should feel like brand new. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| How do I change the fork oil. What are the steps. I's sure someones been down this road before and help me save some time.
Thanks Cycledaddy57
Email Smaier57@aol.com |
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Front fork oil question??