EVO: Suspension
Fork Oil for 1986-Present Front Forks
Typically, the fork oil is replaced with the forks on the bike. One fork at a time, the drain screw is removed and the forks are exercised to 'pump' the oil from the fork. Then the drain screw is replaced and a specific amount of fork oil is poured back into the fork.
The MoCo specifies the proper quantity of oil to use in the forks based on the fork design, ie., length of the sliders, slider travel distance, etc.
If the forks are removed from the bike and serviced, replacement of the fork oil is specified by the MoCo in two different terms. It is specified as to quantity (ounces) but is also specified by then measuring the distance the fork oil is down from the top of the slider tube. This measurement is taken with the fork spring removed and the slider & leg compressed together.
Both measurements are found below.
The MoCo specifies HD Type B or E (and respective equivalents) fork oil depending on year/model.
| Year Model | Fork Oil Type | Fork Oil Amount (Wet) | Fork Oil Amount (Dry) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-1987 all models | HD Type “E” (99884-80).1) 2) | 5.4 fl oz (160CC)3)4) 5) | 6.4 fl oz (189CC) 6)7)8) | ||
| 1988-1996, 1998-2000, 2003-2004 (All except 1992-1998 883 Hugger) | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 9 fl oz (266CC) 9)10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15)16) 17) 18) | 10.2 fl oz (302CC) 19)20) 21)22)23) 24) | ||
| 1992-1998 883 Hugger 25) | HD Type “E” (99884-80). 26) 27) 28)29) 30) 31) | 10.7 fl oz (316CC)32) 33)34) 35) | 12.1 fl oz (358CC)36) 37)38) 39) | ||
| Year Model | Fork Oil Type | Amount Per Side | Measurement Down | ||
| Oz | Ml | In | mm | ||
| 2005-2006 all models (except 883L) 40) 41)42) | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 11.6 | 342 43)44) | 5.75 | 14645)46) |
| 2005-2006 883L 47)48) | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.3 49)50)51) | 364 52)53) | 4.80 54)55) | 122 56)57) |
| 2008 all models (except 883L, 1200L, 1200N) | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 11.6 | 342 | 5.75 | 146 |
| 2008 883L, 1200L, 1200N | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.3 | 3.64 | 4.80 | 122 |
| 2009 all models (except 883L, 1200L, 1200N) | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 11.6 | 342 | 5.75 | 146 |
| 2009 883L, 1200N | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 13.6 | 401 | 3.11 | 79 |
| 2009 1200L | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.3 | 364 | 4.80 | 122 |
| 2010 all models (except 883L, 883N, 1200N) | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 5.75 | 146 | ||
| 2010 883L, 883N, 1200N | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 3.11 | 79 | ||
| 2010 1200L | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 4.80 | 122 | ||
| 2013 883L | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.3 | 364 | 4.80 | 122 |
| 2013 883N | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 13.6 | 401 | 3.11 | 79 |
| 2013 883R | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.4 | 366 | 4.92 | 125 |
| 2013 1200V | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.4 | 366 | 4.92 | 125 |
| 2013 1200C, C Aniv, CP, CA, CB | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 12.4 | 366 | 4.72 | 120 |
| 2013 1200X | HD Type “E” (99884-80) | 11.4 | 337 | 6.34 | 161 |
| HD Type “E” (99884-80) | |||||
| HD Type “E” (99884-80) | |||||
| HD Type “E” (99884-80) | |||||
| HD Type “E” (99884-80) | |||||
| HD Type “E” (99884-80) | |||||
| HD Type “E” (99884-80) | |||||
For more information, refer to the Sportsterpedia REF Section on Fork Oil.
