Front Fork Springs

[indybobm]

Just a question. I have not had the front forks apart on this Valkyrie. The front of the bike seems to be a little lower than most. The forks have not been slipped.
In looking at the Parts Fiche for the Valkyrie and the VTX1800, the forks seem to be very similiar.
One big difference is the price.
Partzilla price for Valkyrie springs are $88.37 each.
Partzilla price for VTX1800 springs are $31.62 each.

I am NOT thinking of using VTX springs but what would the difference be between the spings?
Anyone know?

[DarkSideR]

Just a question. I have not had the front forks apart on this Valkyrie. The front of the bike seems to be a little lower than most. The forks have not been slipped.
In looking at the Parts Fiche for the Valkyrie and the VTX1800, the forks seem to be very similiar.
One big difference is the price.
Partzilla price for Valkyrie springs are $88.37 each.
Partzilla price for VTX1800 springs are $31.62 each.

I am NOT thinking of using VTX springs but what would the difference be between the spings?
Anyone know?

FYI - My opinion here;
 - Whether working on VTX forks or Valkyrie forks there isn't any difference. With that said though, I seriously doubt your springs have gone bad. You would be perfectly fine rebuilding your shocks with new bushings and fork oil reusing your existing springs.

 - However, since you will be in there anyway you could upgrade to Progressive Springs. I did and found doing so eliminated front end dive. I do the long hauls and find the ride is still comfy enough to pull 700 mile days.
  + FYI - the progressive springs are shorter than stock springs, but this doesn't lower the bike.

Hope this helps,

DarkSider 

[WintrSol]

The important thing to check, if you think your forks are off, is the rake angle. The service manual says this should be 32.2 degrees. If you springs are really letting your front end sag, the rake would be less. Easiest way to check is with one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/dial-gauge-angle-finder-34214.html

[Cracker Jack]

The important thing to check, if you think your forks are off, is the rake angle. The service manual says this should be 32.2 degrees. If you springs are really letting your front end sag, the rake would be less. Easiest way to check is with one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/dial-gauge-angle-finder-34214.html

  If your forks are sagging 1" and the rear suspension is not sagging at all, the corresponding change in rake angle would be about .7 degree. It would be less if the rear is sagging. That would be difficult to measure.

[indybobm]

Not so much worried about any sag. I will address when I redo the forks. Knowing how similiar the VTX1800 and Valkyrie forks are I was surprised about the different in price of the springs. Just wondering if anyone had compared them.

Thanks for the replies.

[WintrSol]

If your forks are sagging 1" and the rear suspension is not sagging at all, the corresponding change in rake angle would be about .7 degree. It would be less if the rear is sagging. That would be difficult to measure.

Just to be pedantic (the engineer in me), by my calculations, a 1" sag at the fork will make a 0.86 degree change in rake angle; sin-1(1"/66.5"). The same amount of sag, as measured at the back of the rear fender would be 0.65 degrees; sin-1(1"/88.5").
Of course, the OP didn't say his fork was sagging, just that it looked lower than other bikes.

[Grandpot]

Last Fall I changed mine to Progressive springs and replaced the bushings and seals at the same time.  Made a big difference.  Be careful not to add too much oil.  It gets very stiff if you do.

[mark81]

Valk engine probably weighs more than the vtx and would require heavier springs to suspend the weight.  I'm not an engineer and don't have the specs to back up my speculation.

[Gabriel]

Mine sits lower also, but it's because of the fat-ass behind the handlebars!



Well, not really like this though!

[98valk]

Valk engine probably weighs more than the vtx and would require heavier springs to suspend the weight.  I'm not an engineer and don't have the specs to back up my speculation.

 Engine dry weights;
Valkyrie     262lbs 
VTX 1800   270lbs
VTX 1300   240lbs
GL1500      278lbs
GL1800      260lbs

[indybobm]

What prompted this question is reading other peoples posts about bottoming out the front forks. I do not believe this has happened to me. Mounted a camera on the crash bar to record front fork movement. Suspension moves so fast it is almost impossible to tell, plus you have to watch every second of it. Ended up putting a tie wrap on the slider. Not too tight but tight enough that it will not slide down by itself. As the suspension worked, the dust seal pushed it down to show the maximum fork compression.
After the ride, I just look at how far down the tie wrap is.

[Grandpot]

indybobm, clever idea.