How Many Have Had Their Triglide Fork Oil Changed?

[msocko3]

I pose this question because Harley recommends 50,000 mile changes and there are a few who have reached that mark. My dad decided we would pull his fork legs and have a friend of ours rebuild them with Traxxion AK20 cartridges. The forks have 43,000 miles on them and when our friend pulled them apart he found the oil like sludge and the forks sticking instead of cycling smoothly. It used to be Harley had fork oil changes every 25,000 miles, I think Harley had it right at 25,000 and wrong with the 50,000 mile service interval.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Back in the 90's, Harley recommended fork fluid changes at 20K. They never really change their fork design until 2009. I short changed my forks at 10K and the fluid was terrible. I started changing and recommending fork fluid change at 10K instead. It might seem a bit much but the degradation of the fork fluid happens over such a long period that riders don't notice it until they test ride a new one. Once they change their fluid, their trike rides like a new one.

Unfortunately the 2009 and later OEM have no fork drain provision and require total for removal making it quite expensive to change fork fluid.

 

[JJHog]

Well, if I have to remove the forks just to change the fork oil then I'm going to install the Progressive Monotube fork cartridge instead. I had them installed in my 2011 EG and they made a huge difference in the handling and suspension of the bike. Once I do that then I'll never have to change the fork oil.

 

[luzierg]

I just changed mine a couple of weeks ago at 59k miles. The oil was really dirty. Yes you do have to pull the forks to change the oil.....no drain plug. :xzqxz:

Now that it's done it's not a big job.....just takes a little time. I used belray fork oil 30w to try to prevent the diving effect.

 

[Buddy WMC]

Well, if I have to remove the forks just to change the fork oil then I'm going to install the Progressive Monotube fork cartridge instead. I had them installed in my 2011 EG and they made a huge difference in the handling and suspension of the bike. Once I do that then I'll never have to change the fork oil.

Yep, already been there and done that, you'll be amazed at the difference.

 

[sprinkman]

Yep, already been there and done that, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Yep, changed mine out last winter along with new progressive air shocks for the rear. Rides and handles much better now.

 

[msocko3]

I'm anxious to find out how much wear there was, internally. My dad did learn an interesting thing today. Traxxion didn't have a AK20 cartridge for the Triglide, they will now. His where sent off to Traxxion so they can get the measurements to produce the parts, they will then do the fork leg build. The nice part is he will have the capability to adjust the preload and rebound for best ride/handling.

I've seen some pictures of the Traxxion shop and was very impressed with the cleanliness. looks like you can eat off the floors and machines.

 

[eagle1]

is it possible to drill,tap, & install a drain plug on the bottom of the forks?

 

[trikermutha]

dont they have drain screws like the older fork legs to drain the oil on the triglides? I used a low vaccum evacuator in the past on my older conversion trike to change the oil but have not checked the tri glide. yet..

 

[msocko3]

is it possible to drill,tap, & install a drain plug on the bottom of the forks?

That might work if you make sure your screw doesn't intrude into the area the upper slider runs in.

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dont they have drain screws like the older fork legs to drain the oil on the triglides? I used a low vaccum evacuator in the past on my older conversion trike to change the oil but have not checked the tri glide. yet..

The only screw they have is a 6mm located at the very bottom where the axle rides.

IMO if I would do an oil change only it would be at 25,000 miles and then at 50,000 miles the legs would be taken apart to check for wear. There are bushings on the slider that do wear, I don't know how one would put together a set of forks and not ever have to take them apart. Even looking at the cartridge kit from Progressive they don't address the bushings which will wear and create slop.

 

[trikermutha]

That might work if you make sure your screw doesn't intrude into the area the upper slider runs in.

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The only screw they have is a 6mm located at the very bottom where the axle rides.

IMO if I would do an oil change only it would be at 25,000 miles and then at 50,000 miles the legs would be taken apart to check for wear. There are bushings on the slider that do wear, I don't know how one would put together a set of forks and not ever have to take them apart. Even looking at the cartridge kit from Progressive they don't address the bushings which will wear and create slop.

Then I can still change and fill my fork oil from the screw then with my vacuum evacuator ...I am sure at some point and time the forks would need to be rebuilt..

 

[msocko3]

Then I can still change and fill my fork oil from the screw then with my vacuum evacuator ...I am sure at some point and time the forks would need to be rebuilt..

I thought guys were doing that with the style which had the philips screw located on the side towards the bottom. With the Triglide you'll have to pull the front wheel and get a couple new copper crush washers for the screws that hold the damper tube down.

 

[trikermutha]

I thought guys were doing that with the style which had the philips screw located on the side towards the bottom. With the Triglide you'll have to pull the front wheel and get a couple new copper crush washers for the screws that hold the damper tube down.

Your right..I thought there was still a drain screw on the side..They sure make things difficult these days..

 

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

I just changed mine a couple of weeks ago at 59k miles. The oil was really dirty. Yes you do have to pull the forks to change the oil.....no drain plug. :xzqxz:

Now that it's done it's not a big job.....just takes a little time. I used belray fork oil 30w to try to prevent the diving effect.

Anyone know what Harley dealerships charge to change out the fork oil on an 08 Ultra trike?

 

[trikermutha]

Anyone know what Harley dealerships charge to change out the fork oil on an 08 Ultra trike?

probably anywhere from 60 to 90 bucks a hour for labor..

 

[usmc68]

Is their a "Sticky" or a thread on changing Tri-Glide fork oil?:Shrug:

 

[msocko3]

Is their a "Sticky" or a thread on changing Tri-Glide fork oil?:Shrug:

No sticky or thread. I never gave it any thought but I've pulled them apart enough times I could have snapped some pictures. Only picture I have is how far apart the trike has to come to pull the fork leg off.

 

[usmc68]

No sticky or thread. I never gave it any thought but I've pulled them apart enough times I could have snapped some pictures. Only picture I have is how far apart the trike has to come to pull the fork leg off.

That may be above my skill level. I like to do most of my own stuff I have the manuals but a walk through
step by step would be a blessing:LordHelp:

 

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Yep, changed mine out last winter along with new progressive air shocks for the rear. Rides and handles much better now.

Do you have to remove the inner fairing along with the outer to get to the forks? Thanks.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Anyone know what Harley dealerships charge to change out the fork oil on an 08 Ultra trike?

If you have a 2008 or earlier FLH-FLT model with HD lower legs, you don't have to remove the forks to change fluid. There is a drain hole at the bottom rear of the fork leg that you can use to drain and refill.

I charge $72.50 to change fork oil on these models. It is about a 3 hour job on the 2009-LATER Tri-Glide. The 2009-LATER non-Tri-Glide FLH-FLT TRIKES have the older lower legs. WHY ?????

 

[msocko3]

Do you have to remove the inner fairing along with the outer to get to the forks? Thanks.

Just the outer fairing.

 

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

That may be above my skill level. I like to do most of my own stuff I have the manuals but a walk through
step by step would be a blessing:LordHelp:

I wanted to install the Progressive Monotubes on my 2008 Ultra trike conversion and in contacting them they said that my inner fairing and my outer fairing had to be removed. Is this true?

 

[msocko3]

I wanted to install the Progressive Monotubes on my 2008 Ultra trike conversion and in contacting them they said that my inner fairing and my outer fairing had to be removed. Is this true?

Naw their full of crap, the picture I posted in a reply above is how far I had to take my dads 09 Triglide apart to remove the fork legs. The one other thing I pull is the radio because sometimes you need to use a block of wood and a hammer to get the leg free. To pull the radio it helps to have long ball head allen wrenches.

 

[harly1949]

Yep, changed mine out last winter along with new progressive air shocks for the rear. Rides and handles much better now.

do you recommend new rear air shocks seems i'am always adding air after a 100 or 200 mile ride .

 

[Sloufoot]

Why would you have to disassemble the fork instead of just pulling the front wheel, removing the bolt in the end of the fork above the axle, take the cap off the top of the fork & drain the oil. Then reinstall the lower bolt & replace the oil in the top end with 10oz of oil???? (wet fork)
Just wondering............

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do you recommend new rear air shocks seems i'am always adding air after a 100 or 200 mile ride .

Get a spray bottle with some dish soap & water for bubbles. Air up the shocks & get under & find out where the leak is. Usually just a bit of tightening will cure the problems. Much better than spending $$$ for shocks. That is unless you don't like the shocks that are already there.

 

[msocko3]

Why would you have to disassemble the fork instead of just pulling the front wheel, removing the bolt in the end of the fork above the axle, take the cap off the top of the fork & drain the oil. Then reinstall the lower bolt & replace the oil in the top end with 10oz of oil???? (wet fork)
Just wondering............

IMO I'd rather disassemble them so I could inspect the bushing and clean them real good. Just draining them doesn't get the sludge that collects out. When I lowered my 06 Ultra the front end only had about 10,000 miles on it, the oil was black as tar. I think Harley did folks a disservice by pushing out the fork service to 50,000 miles. My buddy who pulled the fork legs apart from my dads 09 with about 43,000 miles on them said his only suspension was the front tire, the forks were all gummed up with sludge.

 

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Naw their full of crap, the picture I posted in a reply above is how far I had to take my dads 09 Triglide apart to remove the fork legs. The one other thing I pull is the radio because sometimes you need to use a block of wood and a hammer to get the leg free. To pull the radio it helps to have long ball head allen wrenches.

Glad to know the truth. I have a rake kit on my trike. You think that it will give me any issues in disassembly?

 

[msocko3]

Glad to know the truth. I have a rake kit on my trike. You think that it will give me any issues in disassembly?

The rake kit shouldn't cause you any issues. The best thing you can have if you don't already is the service manual for your model and model year bike.