Motorcycle Repair: REPAIRING FORKS ON SPORTY, fork oil, cap one

Question
I HAVE A 1996 883 HUGGER SPORTSTER. THE FORKS HAVE NO STIFFNESS(SLIDE UP/DOWN EASILY).  I WANT TO SVC THEM MYSELF(I own it i fix it,hopefully). I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE'S A SPRING LOCATED UNDER THE CAP THATS UNDER PRESSURE AND ITS A HASSLE TO INSTALL.  I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINED, BUT HOW MUCH TROUBLE AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO TRYING TO REPLACE WORN INTERNAL PARTS and ADDING OIL.  I BOUGHT THIS BIKE YR AGO FROM A DOCTOR, HAD 8600 MILES, NOW HAS 15000. FORKS WERE LIKE THIS ALREADY MAYBE JUST NEED OIL,DONT NOW HOW MUCH OR HOW TO CHECK OR ADD. LOCAL H/D MECH WAS WANTING $250 LABOR. DONT MIND GETTING HANDS DIRTY IF IT SAVES ME MONEY.

OWNED RICEGRINDERS BEFORE and MADE IT A POINT NOT TO RIDE AGAIN TIL I GOT AN H/D AND ITS BEEN FUN EVER SINCE.
THANKS

Answer
It sounds like you need the oil replaced in the forks. Start by draining the oil. At the lower fork, in the back, you will see a screw. Remove it and the oil will drain. remove the upper cap, one at a time. Its best if you have the bike jacked up so there is no pressure on the spring. They are not that bad getting off and on. Put in 12.1 ozs of fork oil in each fork
Good luck and happy riding
Mike