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[muddypaws]

My bike has 56,000 miles on her and I have not serviced the forks. I do not notice anything different in the ride from day one. Is this just something i should do? What is the cost to get it done? It's something I really don't want to do.

[skratch]

you don't notice it because it is such a gradual degradation that you become desensitized to it.  the manual would have you disassemble the forks and do a lot of work.  but, you can do a fork oil change without taking the tubes off the bike and disassembling them.  the short story is to drain your fork into a measuring cup.  then remove the top cap, use a funnel and put the same amount that drained out back in.  i would usually stop about halfway and give the front end a couple gentle presses to allow air to escape.  then finish filling and put the top cap back on.  i like this method because it is pretty quick, can usually do it in less than an hour, and i always did it with less than 20k on the bike anyway so i don't feel that seals need replacing.

i like a little firmer front end than you get with the stock oil so i go with the se heavy.  some people find that too firm and mix the heavy and the type e (stock) either 50/50 or 40/60....  really your choice. 

[ultrafxr]

I can guarantee the fork bushings needed replacing xxx of miles ago.  Worn bushings can cause fork stiction (static friction that needs to be overcome to enable relative motion of stationary objects in contact).  Changing the oil is a good idea but at that mileage I would get the fork rebuild kit, 49377-09, and change out all those wear items.  H-D front suspension is marginal at best imo (on the pre-2014 models at least) and this would at least get them back to new oem condition.  I have the same bike and couldn't tolerate the oem suspension.  I installed the H-D premium cartridge system as a less costly alternative to Traxxion Dynamics.  It is way better than stock.

It is pretty easy to drop the tubes and you could then take them to the dealer or and indy to have them serviced since you don't want to do it yourself.

[Midnight Rider]

My advice to you would be to have the forks taken apart and at least install the HD cartridges Jerry mentioned above...you're already paying for the labor anyway, so just make the change to a FAR superior front fork set-up than stock.  While in there, the bushings and probably the seals need to be replaced as well.  The bushings wear quickly and the parts are cheap.

I have never heard of a single person who has upgraded the front suspension on a HD who has not said they should have done it a long time ago...it is one of the most significant improvements you can make to your bike, bar none.

The HD cartridges and Progressive Monotubes are about equal on the scale of ride quality. Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 cartridges are THE best, but you pay for them.

[grc]

Muddy, if I remember correctly you usually trade fairly often.  If you plan to keep the bike for another year or more, bite the bullet and have the forks serviced.  If you plan to trade in the near future, let the dealer or the next owner worry about it.

Jerry

[kojack]

if your keepin it, do yourself a favor,  get the progressive monotubes and amsoil oil.  Makes a world of difference.  and for not a huge amount of money.  This is my next upgrade on my own Harley,  progressive monotubes up front, the rear link,  and their 970 rear shocks with remote resivoir.  The rear shocks will run about 1200 bucks but worth EVERY PENNY.

[skratch]

if your keepin it, do yourself a favor,  get the progressive monotubes and amsoil oil.

why amsoil?  with the monotubes, they are a sealed system.  the only thing that the oil is for is for lubricating the internal moving parts.  progressive cautions that using a different amount or viscosity of oil 'could cause damage or loss of control'

[kojack]

I use amsoil for eevrything,  and they have the correct oil for them...