Have fluid leaking on to forks of 2004 hd sportster 1200 what is it from

6ya staff

• 2 Answers

SOURCE: I have freestanding Series 8 dishwasher. Lately during the filling cycle water hammer is occurring. How can this be resolved

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Posted on Jan 02, 2017

SOURCE: 2008 HD xl1200c sportster fork lock removal.

grind off the rivet.then lock should pull out, then use a slide hammer to pull out the rest of rivet

Posted on Sep 02, 2009

wd4ity

• 4565 Answers

SOURCE: 2007 HD Sportster 1200C - front right fork leaking fluid

The headline of your post seems to have it correct, you have a fork seal leaking. To replace the seal, you must remove the fork slider, the lower part of the fork tube to replace the seal and then refill the fork with the proper amount of the proper oil. Here's how you do it on a conventional front fork. This is not for an "inverted fork" where the top part is larger than the bottom.

Remove the front wheel, the caliper if it's on this side or you decide to do both sides. Loosen the pinch bolt on the back side of the lower triple tree. Remove the large nut on the top side of the upper triple tree. Caution: there is a large spring under the nut. Usually, if the bike is completely off the ground, the sping is almost fully extended but it will still have some pressure on it. Remove the spring and work the fork tube out of the triple trees. Turn the thing upside down and pour the oil out of it. Notice in the very bottom of the lower slider where the axle goes through, there is an 8mm hex head bolt. Using a brand new hex key, remove this bolt. A hex key socket on an air wrench helps to remove this bolt. It takes a "piloted key" but you can get it out with a regular one as long as it new and not rounded. Once the bolt is out, pull the top tube out of the lower tube. You'll see the oil seal in the top of the lower slider. Pull the seal out and replace it with a new one. Reassemble the entire assembly and install back into the triple trees. Add the proper amount of the proper weight oil. This is what is commonly called a "dry" fill since you took everything off and wiped it down. Then insert the spring tapered end first and put the large nut back on the top.

Then do the other side if you wish. Only do one side at the time. The remaining tube that is put together helps hold the tube you're working on extended.

Good Luck
Steve

Posted on Jul 21, 2010

wd4ity

• 4565 Answers

SOURCE: The left front fork of my 1200 Sportster is

That depends on where it's leaking. If it's leaking down at the axle, You can lift the bike off the ground, remove the front wheel. There's a bolt in the very bottom of the tube. Take the bolt out and slide the "slider" off the upper tube. While you have it off, replace the seal at the top of the "slider". This will fix any leak at the top of the slider. Clean the lower slider with clean mineral spirits and allow it to dry. Then, put a little bit of oil on the seal and a dab of clear RTV in the area where the copper washer goes and slide the slider back up on the tube. Put the bolt in and tighten it up. Replace the front wheel. Now, add the appropiate amount of fork oil for a "dry" refill. If you call the dealer, they should tell you how much oil goes in there. My manuals are not up to date for your model. Mine only shows for 1994 and Harley may have changed the fork tubes since then. Remember the higher viscosity of the oil, the stiffer the front suspension. The dealer will also tell you what oil came in the front forks from the factory.

Good Luck
Steve

Posted on Aug 19, 2010

wd4ity

• 4565 Answers

SOURCE: 2003 HD sportster - forks

You may not have enough oil in the front forks or you may been a heavier viscosity of oil. I'm sorry but I don't have the oil capacity for your "Low Sportster". All I have is for "Hugger" models. They take 10.7oz. "wet" and 12.1 "dry". The difference between "wet" and "dry" is that if you simply drain and refill the front forks, it's call a "wet" oil change. If you disassemble and clean the forks of all oil inside, it's called a "dry" oil change. Contact the service department of your local shop and ask them how much oil goes in the front fork. To change the oil, there is usually a small screw in the trailing side of the lower fork slider down near the axle. Take these out and the oil will drain to a certain degree. Hold the brake while working the forks up and down with your weight to get all the oil that draining will get out of them. If you want all the oil out, you'll have to disassemble the fork tube. I would not do this if the seals are not leaking. Replace the screws in the sliders and then remove the top cap from one tube at the time and refill the tube with the specified amount of oil. Sometimes, the top caps can be difficult to get back in due to the pressure of the large spring in the front fork tubes. You may need a tool to compress the sping. I'm not sure on the "Low" model. I've always managed to the top caps back in without any special tool but I've never done a "Low" model bike. Harley uses what they call their "Type E" fork oil. I do not know what the viscosity of this oil is so I always use PJ-1 30 weight fork oil for most applications. Use only fork oil as any other oil may have a tendency to foam thereby negating any dampening action of the forks. If this doesn't solve your problem, you may want to check into changing the springs in the front forks. Progressive Suspension and others make kits for this.

Good Luck
Steve

Posted on Sep 13, 2011