Fork disassembly

[6adan]

I need to do this because the left fork is bent from a accident. I have looked on Tach tips but have not found a step by step how to. I could have missed it. I don't have a manual yet. This is also the first set of forks like this I have done. My question, is there somewhere on here that would give a step by step on how to do this?  Thanks Dannie

[Bighead]

My advice is take those forks off and trash them. Get a good used set and no worries with bent forks.  Ut hey that is just me.

[98valk]

free download of manual

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[6adan]

Thanks to both of you. Another question, are the forks on all the models and years the same?

[Hook#3287]

Thanks to both of you. Another question, are the forks on all the models and years the same?

I believe all years and all models used the same forks.  You can look up the different years and models here

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1999/gl1500cf-a-valkyrie-interstate

And check the part numbers.

Also, some of the VTX models used the same.

I agree with Bighead, you should probably sh%t can those and get a different set.

[6adan]

Big head, Hook, you are right. I have been looking and all I have found so far seem to have a lot of corrosion. The man who had this bike took very good care of it, I have found no rust or corrosion anywhere. I plan on keeping it that way. I will find some.  Thanks

[98valk]

Thanks to both of you. Another question, are the forks on all the models and years the same?

std/tourer, forks and triple clamps are the same all yrs.

I/S triple clamps have  1/32" more offset for a lower trail number than the std/tourer triple clamps.
 I just installed a set on my std/tourer.

I/S forks have different valving, compression damping was increased and rebound decreased due to the fairing.  This is per Rider magazine June '99.

[6adan]

98valk thanks, that is good to know when looking for a replacement set of forks.

[..]

Fork disassembly photos I took of my first Valkyrie

https://postimg.cc/gallery/36kismf6o/

[Relax]

Fork disassembly photos I took of my first Valkyrie

https://postimg.cc/gallery/36kismf6o/

 

I have sometimes been thinking about replacing the front springs, and wondeing how complicated it would be. This was interesting

[..]

Fork disassembly photos I took of my first Valkyrie

https://postimg.cc/gallery/36kismf6o/

 

I have sometimes been thinking about replacing the front springs, and wondeing how complicated it would be. This was interesting

My write up that I did at the time.

The following is from my memory - not always 100%

Cover tank etc with towels/rags

Bike on lift front wheel high enough to get a small jack under
Undo pinch bolts at fork caps
Loosen fork caps until completely unthreaded
Raise front wheel so forks compress completely

Remove right front fork cap. Have to try and grip the flat sided-round sided nut under the right fork cap. 
Can't use a wrench cause there are a couple of small flange parts sticking out. Hold this in place and undo fork cap.
Count threads exposed
Undo flat sided-round sided nut about half way up the threaded portion
Thread bolt you have found in your workshop into hole
Make sure it's a good fit
Remove and wrap a coat hanger around it
Screw back in
Using a flat bladed screwdriver prise the flat sided-round sided nut away from the tube below to remove collar
Remove collar that has a slot
Slide the shiny bit up over your bolt and coat hanger

Let front wheel jack down

Now use another coat hanger with a slight hook on the end and fish down in the fork tube and remove the spring. SLOWLY to let the oil drain off. This is why you covered up in the beginning with towels/rags
Slide new spring back over

Raise front wheel back up

Slide shiny bit back over wire and bolt
Replace collar
Remove bolt you have found in your workshop and turn flat sided-round sided nut down until you get to the amount of threads you counted earlier

Left fork

Insert special tool and undo completely remove
Hook out fork spring SLOWLY to let oil drain off. Washer comes with it.
Insert new spring AND then washer
Now using special tool screw part back on.
Needs 2 people cause you are pushing against the spring

Lower front wheel

Wait a couple of minutes for oil to drain down inside tube and then measure from top of fork tube. I did it with a bit of wood dowel as a dipstick. Adjust oil level as needed

Screw on fork caps. Tighten pinch bolts. Bounce forks a couple of times

Go for a short SLOW ride and test forks.

If OK drink beer.

If not OK I can't be held responsible

[HBFL]

I just replaced my I/S springs with Sonic springs. If you attempt this I suggest taking your time to research this site ( search “ progressive springs “) the manual, I also researched the VTX site. The progressive springs are plug and play. Mine required cutting the collars to obtain correct preload. My biggest issue was removing and replacing the 44 mm castle nut on the left fork to 72 ft lbs with the Honda socket. For me, it was a brute. Good luck.

[98valk]

see my post to make a low cost Fork Tool and how to make it a little easier to install and remove the inner fork nut.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,70292.0.html

[PatrickDoss]

As others have said, if one is bent from a collision, you're probably better off replacing both. I would also highly recommend taking the steering stem out of the frame and examining it. I've seen a GL rear end somebody, and it bent the stem where it goes through the frame. The upper halves of the forks were still in alignment (lowers bent), but the stem was jacked up pretty good.

[6adan]

Thanks everyone, lot of good advice here. I could see this was going to be a great place. As for needing the special tool I know the owner and his sons of the local Honda dealership and he said I can use theirs. I have known this guy for over 40 years even before he became the Honda dealer. I have worked on several older Goldwings GL1000 and GL1100s and a couple of CBXs so if I can help if someone who has one of these just let me know. Thanks Dannie

[9Ball]

When it’s apart make sure to inspect the neck welds thoroughly.  If the force was strong enough to bend a fork it might have also cracked the weld on the frame.

Looking forward to hearing how you make out...be sure to update if you get the time.

Good luck...

[6adan]

Update on the forks on my Valkyrie. I went ahead and had my friend see if he could straighten the one fork that was bent. I made some hardwood blocks that matched the fork tube and with these he was able to get the fork straight. he even mounted it in his metal lathe and it was just .002 out so I thank that will be fine. I have the bike running good but will still need a headlight, speedo and tachometer to get it on the street. Dannie

[Hook#3287]

just .002 out so I thank that will be fine.

Honda manual says the service limit is .008, you should be good.

[6adan]

Thanks Hook.