Harley Fork Oil Capacity Chart [A Quick And Easy Guide]
A Harley fork oil capacity chart lists the amount of fork oil needed on different models and years of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This chart can help make sure you don’t put in too little or too much fork oil, which is crucial for the proper operation of your Harley.
Besides, wet and dry conditions require a different fork oil capacity for each Harley model. And I’m here with a quick and easy guide, complete with a Harley fork oil capacity chart, to help you with all of this.
How to Understand the Harley Fork Oil Capacity Chart?
Understanding the fork oil chart for Harley-Davidson motorcycles is a no-brainer once you know what “Wet” and “Dry” capacity means.
Depending on the condition you are pouring the fluid into, Harley Davidsons require different fork oil requirements.
Here, “Wet” means when you refill the oil again after draining out what was previously in your forks without disassembling them.
On the other hand, “Dry” means the forks had to be disassembled completely for cleaning or repair, resulting in them drying out.
Both these conditions require different oil capacities. And naturally, when lubricating something from scratch, it requires more lubricant than when it already has some applied.
So, the forks in your Harley will require more oil when in Dry condition than when in Wet condition.
Apart from these factors, the chart is as simple as showing what model and year range the various capacities apply to.
Read Also: Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 Oil Capacity [An On-Point Guide!]
Harley-Davidson Fork Oil Capacity Chart
And now that you know what goes into understanding what affects your Harley’s fork oil requirement, let’s see how the chart breaks down.
Simply find your Harley-Davidson model and year then check the right-side columns to find the corresponding oil capacity.
| Model/year | Oil Capacity [Wet] | Oil Capacity [Dry] |
| Sportster (Up until 1972) | 162.65 ml (5.5 oz) | 192.23 ml (6.5 oz) |
| Sportster (1972-83) | 147.87 ml (5 oz) | 177.44 ml (6 oz) |
| Sportster (1984-87) | 159.70 ml (5.4 oz) | 192.23 ml (6.5 oz) |
| Sportster (1988-2003) | 266.16 ml (9 oz) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) |
| Sportster (2004-08) | 310.52 ml (10.5 oz) | 343.05 ml (11.6 oz) |
| XL 883 Hugger (Up until 1991) | 266.16 ml (9 oz) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) |
| XL Hugger (1992-99) | 316.44 ml (10.7 oz) | 357.84 ml (12.1 oz) |
| FL/FLH (1948-E77) | 192.23 ml (6.5 oz) | 207.01 ml (7 oz) |
| FL/FLH (L1977-84) | 229.19 ml (7.75 oz) | 251.38 ml (8.5 oz) |
| FLT (1980-97) | 229.19 ml (7.75 oz) | 251.38 ml (8.5 oz) |
| FLT (1998-2001) | 257.29 ml (8.7 oz) | 286.86 ml (9.7 oz) |
| FLHR (2002-09) | 298.69 ml (10.1 oz) | 328.27 ml (11.1 oz) |
| FX/FXE (1972) | 162.65 ml (5.5 oz) | 192.23 ml (6.5 oz) |
| FX/FXE (1973-83) | 147.87 ml (5 oz) | 177.44 ml (6 oz) |
| FXR/FXRS (1985-86) | 177.44 ml (6 oz) | 207.01 ml (7 oz) |
| FXR/FXRS (1991-94) | 266.16 ml (9 oz) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) |
| Dyna/Low Rider (1991-2005) | 272.08 ml (9.2 oz) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) |
| Dyna Wide Glide (1991-2005) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) | 331.22 ml (11.2 oz) |
| FXWG/FXST (1980-84) | 266.16 ml (9 oz) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) |
| FXWG/FXST (1985-2006) | 301.65 ml (10.2 oz) | 331.22 ml (11.2 oz) |
| FLST (1986-2006) | 340.10 ml (11.5 oz) | 369.67 ml (12.5 oz) |
| FLST (2007-09) | 366.71 ml (12.4 oz) | 396.29 ml (13.4 oz) |
| FXST (2007-09) | 340.10 ml (11.5 oz) | 369.67 ml (12.5 oz) |
| FXSTD (2007) | 310.52 ml (10.5 oz) | 343.05 ml (11.6 oz) |
Note: As you can see, the chart only shows information about fork oil capacities up to 2009. So, it’s always best to refer to your Harley’s owner’s manual for the most accurate information.
Read Also: Harley 6 Speed Transmission Oil Capacity: Shift Gears Smoothly
What Factors Affect Fork Oil Capacity in Harley-Davidson Motorcycles?
As your Harley rides through the years, its fork oil capacity may be affected over time by other factors besides the model and year. That said, you must consider the following after a few year’s riding.
Fork Type
Harley-Davidson motorcycles can either have a conventional fork or a cartridge fork. And if you choose to change yours, it can affect the oil capacity. For instance, a cartridge fork’s capacity is usually lower than that of a conventional one.
Fork Size
If you’ve upgraded your smaller forks with larger ones, that can impact the oil capacity as well. The larger the fork, the more oil it requires to deliver the power.
Fork Seals
It’s not unusual for your fork seals to wear down or get damaged as you continue riding for years. And that can reduce the fork oil capacity, too.
Weather Conditions
Different Harley models often have varying operating temperatures, which can also vary depending on the weather. And this can impact the fork oil capacity accordingly.
Read Also: How To Check Primary Oil On Harley Davidson? [6 Easy Steps]
FAQs
Do you have further questions regarding the Harley fork oil capacity chart? The following answers to some of the most commonly asked questions can help.
How Often Should I Change The Fork Oil In My Harley-Davidson?
Ideally, you should have your Harley’s fork oil replaced every 3000–5000 miles. Yet, this isn’t constant, as the frequency of riding and the terrain can impact it largely. Also, some veterans prefer the rule of changing it once a year, which is about 10-20k miles.
How Do I Set The Fork Oil Level In My Harley-Davidson?
Setting your Harley’s fork oil level is easy with an oil gauge tool. You can start by inserting the tube into the fork and removing the excess oil using a syringe. Then push the gauge handle before placing the metal ring on the fork’s top to set the fork oil level.
How Do I Know If My Harley-Davidson Needs A Fork Oil Change?
It might be time to change the fork oil if the front of your Harley feels too soft or pressures on the handlebars lead to nosediving. Also, when the forks aren’t as smooth as they should be, and they keep coming jerking back or too fast, it is also a warning sign.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this quick and easy guide to the Harley fork oil capacity chart has given you crucial insights you needed to know.
As you can see, the actual oil capacity is not just determined by model and production year.
So, if you’re unsure about what’s appropriate for your vehicle, it’s always a good idea to consult a Harley-Davidson dealer.
Read Also: Who Makes Harley Davidson Oil? Things You Mightn’t Know!
