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Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through November 13, 2006 » AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE FORK OIL PROBLEM « Previous Next »

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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 04:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One sees quite a few brothers who have had problems after having their front forks serviced by the dealer who has performed the 10,000 mile service.

While there are several highly qualified Buell techs out there, servicing Showa forks is quite unlike servicing any other suspension units in the Harley Davidson line, and many Harley mechanics are unfamiliar with them.

An alternative approach is to remove the fork legs, ( and/or the rear shock), and send them to a suspension specialist in the off season. This is a job that takes less than a half hour the first time you try it.

In addition to having the oil and seals properly serviced by an expert, it is a good time to consider whether or not heavier springs and re-valved shocks might be useful.

Often they are.

Thus one may kill two birds with the proverbial single stone, and not only get one's suspension properly serviced, but improved as well.

And with the troublesome fork problem solved, the home mechanic can do the rest of the service himself, thus saving time and money, and ending up with a sweeter running bicycle. Order your shop manual now.

Just my . 02¢
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Henrik
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 05:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Spot on Jon

Henrik
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Motornoggin
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 07:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Only time I ever sent forks out to be redone, they came back with blown seals and uneven oil levels.
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Altima02
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 07:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There was a DIY thread on servicing forks on here somewhere.
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M1combat
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 10:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Te hee... I don't have a down time here in Northern AZ...

Motornoggin... Send them to traxxion dynamics next time : ).
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Henrik
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 10:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll second the Traxxion suggestion. I've had very good experiences with them.

DIY suspension servicing: It's perfectly doable if you follow the manual, take your time and keep your work area operating room clean. I've tried my hand at standard forks a couple of times with unimpressive result wrt. fork seals (buggered up the seals trying to use PVC pipe to pound the seals in place ... ), so I'd suggest getting at least a few of the right tools for the job.

For re-valving and spring rate recommendations I personally would go with a pro shop.

Henrik
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Gtmg
Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 07:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

got any idea what Traxxion charges for just a typical service
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Deltablue
Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 07:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The Fork oil thread is in the Knowledge Vault
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/153628.html?1129433385
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Steve_mackay
Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 03:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Another alternative is sending them to a reputable/competent Buell servicing dealership like Appleton, Hals, and many others.

Danny Bilansky is usually the guy that does all the Buell suspension stuff at Hals. I tend to trust the guy who does nothing but wrenches on Buells all day long.

He also seems to know his way around a racetrack as well : )
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No_rice
Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 04:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

maybe i'll just put a springer front end on it and not mess with it again, lol.

i sure wouldnt have to worry about blowing one of the fork seals after a hard landing!
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Henrik
Posted on Saturday, November 11, 2006 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here are Traxxion's pricing - looks like those prices are labor only.

Henrik
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