Front forks

[Rocketman]

With some serious help from Tinman, I finally got my Valkyrie back on the road.  It has a new front tire, new fork seals, and Progressive springs.  I added almost an inch of PVC spacer in there as well.  I used 15 wt oil, and tried to fill per the manual although I'm pretty sure I screwed that up on the right side.

Thoughts over the last 24 hrs since completing it: 
Getting those springs compressed an extra inch to go over the spacers was kinda tough, but I got it done with a little help from some friends (and some creativity).
The rubber stopper in the left fork had been completely destroyed, probably by bottoming out the shocks too often and too hard.
The ride is much improved.  Definitely stiffer, but it was too soft before.  I like it a lot this way.  (I know, ask me again in a month or two and see if I still like it)
I purposely found some of the bumps in the area that had been bottoming out the shocks, and the new suspension just ate them up.  I was laughing like a maniac as I pulled into Home Depot (one of the biggest culprits) yesterday.
The ride height is definitely higher.  I went to the parking lot of a nearby school and did some figure 8s.  While it was disturbingly easy to drag pegs before, I had to really work at it to grind some this time.  I could still get there, but at a lean angle that would have had me into the engine guard prior to this work.  That will take some getting used to, but I will love having more lean angle when I hit some twisties.

Of course, now I'm thinking about Progressives on the rear, but that can wait a bit.

Mark

[RonW]

I added almost an inch of PVC spacer in there as well.

Getting those springs compressed an extra inch to go over the spacers was kinda tough, but I got it done with a little help from some friends (and some creativity).

where abouts did you add the "PVC spacer?" Btw, when the caps are screwed down it gives the forks a ¾-inch preload.

[Rocketman]

I put the spacers between the spring (item 2) and item 16 on the right side, and between the spring (item 2 again) and item 4 on the left side.
I know there's some preload already, but wanted some more.

[hubcapsc]

but wanted some more.

How did you know? You had new springs...

-Mike

[..]

Progressive fork springs aren't stiff enough?

[Rocketman]

True, I was gambling, and judging on incomplete info, but I like the ride that I ended up with.  If it was too much, I'd have to pull 'em and redo it, but it appears I guessed right.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I had to preload Progressive springs on my CB750 SOHC when I had the bike. At the time I was working for a place which had a machine shop, so I took the opportunity to fabricate spacers of varying sizes every time I set up our engine lathe for various metal-working tasks.

As I recall, I did 2ea 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4. I ended up using just the 3/4 but tried various combos.

Never had to preload Progressives in any of my 'Wings or Valkyries. I rebuilt the front end of my buddy's '02 Road King with Progressives and we didn't have to add spacers to it either.

I used Hyperpro springs in my '99 Tourer's forks a few years ago when I rebuilt them. They elevate the front end about 12mm above "stock" height and I definitely like the ride.

Everyone's mileage will vary here.