How do you know if your fork springs need replacing?

[BF]

Before I went to my surgery last June, my left fork seal started leaking.  No time then to do anything about it then, but while I was gone for a little over a month, apparently it stopped leaking. 

Have rode the bike since I've recovered and haven't seen any signs of leaking every time I've ridden it. 

It's not a job I'm willing to take on myself, so I'm gonna take it to a local shop here.  Have read up some on the fork springs and I'm thinking that if I do indeed need to replace them, I'm gonna go back with the stock OEM springs.   

However, I'm planning on having new fork seals and bushing installed, perhaps right after the first of the year, if not sooner.  What I don't know is....how do I know if my fork springs need replacing?

The bike has always had that sorta mushy '59 Caddy feel to it, but I figure it's from a loss of fork oil.

[Michvalk]

Well the best way to tell is to measure the amount of suspension travel. I have no idea how much there is supposed to be, but I would think you could find it in the service manual.

[Gryphon Rider]

When you have your forks springs out, measure the overall length.  When new they are 344.2mm (13.55") long.  The service limit (minimum length) stated in the service manual is 337mm (13.26").  I suppose you could compare resting fork travel with a newer, lower-mileage Valkyrie similar to yours, providing that one also has OEM springs.  I didn't find any reference to resting fork travel or ride height in the service manual.  One way to minimize the "mushy" feeling is to have heavier weight fork oil put in when the seals are changed.  When I changed my seals I put in 15 weight oil, and I found it made the forks very firm, enough that at the time I decided to use a lower weight next time I changed fork seals.

[hubcapsc]

The bike has always had that sorta mushy '59 Caddy feel to it, but I figure it's from a loss of fork oil.

I think that feeling comes from OEM springs... you'd rather have them over Progressive?

-Mike

[TJ]

Go with the Progressive springs , put new seals & bushing in and adjust the oil level... You
won't believe how much better the bike rides and handles...  You could always make a road trip
down here and get it done right...

[BF]

The bike has always had that sorta mushy '59 Caddy feel to it, but I figure it's from a loss of fork oil.

I think that feeling comes from OEM springs... you'd rather have them over Progressive?

-Mike

To be honest, I don't really know. 

However, I've read a bunch of posts about the Progressives using 10wt with reports that it feels hard a rock.  Don't know if that's from over filling or what, but not sure I want really stiff forks....assuming that's the result of using Progressives. 

[hubcapsc]

I've read a bunch of posts about the Progressives using 10wt with reports that it feels hard a rock

Yeah, I've read people who describe difference results than I got... I used 10 weight, put
in the amount specified in the manual for each leg using the "measure from the top with
the springs out" method... and I think my progressive-springed forks are dee-lux...

-Mike

[Lyle Laun]

I've put Progressives in 2 of my bikes and have found them to be ideal. A bit firmer but not rock hard like some have reported. I wouldn't even consider going back to OEM.