Still quite new here and only just aquired my 1st Harley after many years of dreaming.
I have been riding for approx 40 yrs, so I getting a bit tired.Haha.
I'm still making adjustments to fine tune my ride to me and welcome thoughts on 2 issues.
1. Forks--- My bike has around 45k on the clock and I feel the feel of the front end is not quite right.
I have a new front tyre (balanced) and the front bearings appear good, so I was wondering how often do you change to fluid and what is recommend weight for a bagger.
Most of my riding is long runs on open road highway speeds and the front end feels intermitatly harsh/firm is this normal?
2. Throttle--- This model has throttle by wire and when I 1st got her the throttle felt a little notchy .
The stealer ship said the sensor neede replacing ($163 + labour)
Now its smooth and responsive, but now feels too loose and now when using cruise that is de activated on slight bumps.
Is this normal with throttle by wire, All my other bikes have had Carbs.
Thanks in advance.
Kappy
When in cruise mode, you can de-activate it by rolling the throttle off and go a bit more. If you hit a bump, sometimes you inadvertently de-activate it and don't realise you've done it. If you think you're forks are to firm, you're bike may have different internals already. Standard forks are really wollowy and soft. Standard H-D fork oil is 10 weight. The screaming eagle heavy duty fork oil is 20 weight. If you don't know what internals you have, drain the oil and measure the amount that comes out. If it's only a small amount like 150ml, then it could be progressive suspension. If it's over 300ml, its likely to be stock or you may have heavier spring inserts only. Based on what I know and have seen, If I were you I would change the fork oil every 15000k. It gets very dirty.
Thanks guys.
I will look at doing the fork fluid.
When I did my ST1100 recently 1 side was like mud and the other looked reasonable, The ST fork internals are different each side.
The cruise never deactivated on its own accord prior to the dealer adjusted the throttle and its occurs quite regularly, even when engaging.
Will have to contact the dealer yet again.Getting real pissed off, I wonder if they are actually competent?
The link show the movement now,I think there was less movement before.
Cheers
Just an update on progress.
Rode up to Perth just for a ride and to mention my concerns regarding cruise, since replacing throttle sensor.
Well on the way up cruise was ok and didn't disengage on its own accord for the 1st half hour then it started.
Stopped at Williams for about 15 minutes and once departed was ok for about 10 minutes and then intermitent, mainly only bumps i felt.
Got to Perth aired my concerns as issue wasn;t prevalent prior to Throttle sensor change.
As I have to trailer her up I have set date to do this.
In the interim I will have the front wheel checked for balance as I don't beleive its right and I will change for oil and will consider progessive springs once I got the forks apart, so any suggestions on brand welcomed.
While in Perth when cruise used, all seemed ok
On my return trip, similiar situation, seems more as fork oil warms up?
There is something not quite right as I felt this subtle vibration through my teeth on the return.
On another tangent does anyone know a good/reasonable painter that does candy colours, while the front guard is off I get some chips seen to.
The main problem here is I'm such a fussy prick and the issues are really minor niggly shit, but I will get on top of it.
Amendment
Removed forks today and removed oil and springs.
Oil is black as and the right fork had 350ml and the left was 300ml, as they both forks would appear identical I would gather fluid levels are relevant.
It also seems standard spring have some progression as lightly smaller winding as bottom of spring.
