My 05 roadglides front suspension is soft going into turns. Is heavier oil the Ans

Hi,I just googled,(made car springs) and it came up with lots of options,why dont you try that,all the best.

If the dampening action is still to soft for you, you'll have to drain the forks again and this time put a heavier weight oil in them. If you put 20 wt. oil in last time, try 30 wt. this time. Always use a good quality "fork oil" never just plain engine oil.

steve

If your front suspension is bottoming out, you may need to go to a heavier viscosity fork oil in the forks or the quantity may not be correct.

Good Luck
steve

The oil is measured in by level, not by volumne.
So add the same amount to each fork to raise the level 10 or 20mm.
It can help to use a heavier wt oil, check the level of what is in there, and replace to the same amount.
Write notes and change one thing at a time, so you can set it back if the chanfges are not working,The manual has a lot of good info

Yes your fluid may need to be changed if you want a more firm front end. I don't know what type of fluid you have in the forks now but what you need to do is to go with a thicker oil. In my '94 FXDWG, I went to PJ1 30 weight oil. Since I don't have a book on your late model bike, I can't tell you how much oil to put into each tube. There is a "wet" and a "dry" quantity to add when you've drained them. If you simply drain the oil and refill the fork tubes, use the "wet" quantity of oil. If you disassemble and clean the tubes out, use the "dry" quantity when you refill.

To drain the oil, look on the trailing side of the fork sliders. You'll see a screw or a set screw in the slider. Take this plug out and some of the oil will simply flow out. To get all of it out, hold the front brake and push down on the handlebars. Now, oil will spray everywhere so don't do this job in your living room. Once you get the oil out of both tubes, reinstall the plugs and refill the tubes one at the time by removing the top cap out of the tube and pouring the prescribed amount of oil into each fork tube. Ride the bike and see if the front suspension is too soft, too firm, or just right. Remember, the heavier the viscosity of the oil, the more firm the front suspension is. If you can't get it right, you might want to consider changing the springs in the fork tubes.

Good Luck
Steve

If you are saying that your front suspension is too soft, you can change the fork oil in the front forks to a heavier viscosity. I think Harley recommends Type E fork oil. I've found that PJB 30 wt. fork oil works best for me.

Since I'm not familiar with the newer forks, I'll have to recommend that you ask the dealer how to drain and refill the forks and how much oil to put back in them. There are usually two amounts of oil to put in the forks. One amount is a "dry" amount to add when you disassemble the forks and then refill them. The "wet" amount is for when you simply drain the forks and then refill them. Naturally, the "wet" amount will be less than the "dry" amount.

Sorry I couldn't give you more information but my expertise is the earlier model Harley bikes.

Good Luck
Steve

Probably the reason the fork seal is blown is too much air pressure. Definitely fix the seal and put in the correct amount of oil. You do not have to put air in to the front forks if you do not want to. To properly set up your suspension, set your rear shocks first, hard for two, soft for one, etc. Now load the bike, you or you and the passenger. With the front forks set to near max pressure (only 12 to 14 pounds air pressure do not go over max recommended pressure) bounce on the motorcycle seat and bleed off the pressure in the front forks till the front and back of the bike drop together. This is the correct way to set up your suspension. A bicycle foot pump with a pressure gauge works best works best. You will be near max pressure in one small hand squeeze of the foot pump. You will find it only takes 7-8 pounds of pressure to set up your bike. Just remember, You do not have to put air pressure in to your front forks, they will work just fine. You just wont benefit from the adjustable design.

what year is the bike? make sure the comp screws are adjusted right in clockwise, then wind it 11 cicks anti clockwise. if it is still too soft add a bit more oil. about 1 fluid oz to each fork leg up to 2 fluid ozs. as long as you have the right amount of oil in the forks in the first place. if this is still too soft you will need to put heavier sprins in. hope this helps. cheers kev.

you need to use the shock adjustment tool that came with the bike and just stick it in the adjustment holes typically located about half way up the rear shocks and turn it to the proper tension for you