What Fork "Tune-Ups" Have Owners Done?

[Bill Havins]

The last few times I have been out on my Valkyrie I have noticed the front end does not handle uneven road surfaces well.  Indeed, I would call it "a little 'twitchy' at times."

I have always experienced the front end "dive" under braking.  But lately the front end feels just a little too "unstable" when hitting mild-to-moderate bumps, especially if the bumps are angled across the road (as opposed to perpendicular to the road surface).

I've checked all of the normal concerns (tire pressure, crown bolt, triple clamp bolts, fork leg alignment, axle) and everything looks fine.  So I have begun to consider that I need to change the fork oil, the springs, or both.

Have other riders made "adjustments" to their stock forks?  What have you tried, and how has it paid off for you?

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[JimmyG]

Bill,  I just recently took my forks off, replaced seals and fluid and noticed a marked difference in handling. My bike has 57,400 miles on it now.  Thought about new springs, but chose not to at this time. May be you need fluid. My seals were leaking so I am convinced my fluid level  got a little low. Handles great now.

[hubcapsc]

Here's what I'd wish for (covers the rear shock, too)...

http://traxxion.com/goldwing/

I haven't talked to them directly... Our forks, at least on the outside,
are some different than normal Goldwing forks. Our shocks lack
the electronic preload frob that normal Goldwings have.

-Mike

[pago cruiser]

When I was a little more...active... riding my ST1100 (a superb and vastly under-rated bike, btw), I was changing fork oil at 10,000 mile intervals; the fork oil degradation in that short time was amazing.  Hard to believe, but it makes a big difference.

I change my Legacy Valk fork oil every 20,000; it's way worse appearing than at 10,000, but I've just gotten lazy...  Althpugh every time I do it and I notice the difference, I say "Dang it, I gotta change this more often".

Track guys will change the oil every couple thousand miles.     

[bscrive]

I read a little while back that the front forks on the Goldwing should be serviced every 10k miles.  To me, that sounds excessive.  But, they did say that the fork bushings do wear out quickly and is the main reason for the slop in the front end.

Sorry, it was 20k miles.  Here is a video by Traxxion Dynamics where he states this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4JARq0LWn8

[bscrive]

Here's what I'd wish for (covers the rear shock, too)...

http://traxxion.com/goldwing/

I haven't talked to them directly... Our forks, at least on the outside,
are some different than normal Goldwing forks. Our shocks lack
the electronic preload frob that normal Goldwings have.

-Mike

I checked on their site and for the Valkyrie they state:
"**Due to the very difficult installation and/or modifications required to the forks of this application this is an In-House install only. We require the forks be sent to our facility for this application."

Not a cheap job.  And the price doesn't include shipping.

AK-20 Axxion Cartridge Kit w/ Spring and Fork Caps   $ 999.95
Labor to Remove/Install Forks on the Bike              $ 100.00
Labor to Service Forks and Install AK-20 Kit              $ 200.00
OEM Fork Seals w/ Dust Seals                                $ 49.95
OEM Inner Fork Bushings                                        $ 29.90
Traxxion Fork Brace w/ Bug Guards                       $ 299.95
All Balls Steering Head Bearings                                $ 44.95
Labor to install Bearings while forks are off              $ 150.00
Total.....................................................................$ 1874.70

I think that I will opt to put in a new set of springs and bushings.  Those I can do myself and the cost is under $300.  

[pago cruiser]

Dang!
For about half of that you could get a late model GSXR set of forks with rebound and compression damping and radial mounted Brembos off ebay.  Might be a bit of a project however...

[Bill Havins]

Brian,

I'm with you.  I looked at their site, saw something like that, and closed my browser.

I guess our fork tubes are longer than those on the F6B?  Progressive Suspension has a nice set of F6B springs for a pretty reasonable price.

Onward and upward.

Bill

[bscrive]

Bill,
That is what I will probably do.  If the F6B springs are a little shorter then I guess I could just add a spacer.  I will see how mine handles when I take her out.  I only have 22000 miles, so I will probably wait until next winter to replace everything.

[hubcapsc]

Brian,

I'm with you.  I looked at their site, saw something like that, and closed my browser.

I guess our fork tubes are longer than those on the F6B?  Progressive Suspension has a nice set of F6B springs for a pretty reasonable price.

Onward and upward.

Bill

They have a network of installers:

http://traxxion.com/authorized-independent-installers

I could just ride right over there though  ...



-Mike

[ledany]

Bill, I had the oil fork changed last year, 41,600 mls on the clock and since, I don't worry about the bumps in curves anymore 

[bscrive]

Bill,

There is a guy that lives close to me that has a Progressive Monotube fork kit for a F6B for sale.  I am thinking of buying it from him and seeing if it will fit our bikes.  I, firstly, just have to get someone to measure their forks on a F6B or full Wing to see if they look close to fitting.  I don't mind if our forks are longer, because I can get a spacer made up, but, if our forks are shorter then I won't bother.

[pago cruiser]

Brian/Bill - there are several internals that are identical, based upon comparisons using Cheap Cycle Parts.  Seals, bushings, rebound springs, and prolly a few others.  If the length is slightly different, it is a possibility you could change the tubes to the GL1800 as well.

Once you play with a couple of these, the parts are pretty simple.  Honda (and all manufacturers) use a lot of common parts.  On my XS650, I wanted to use some KLR650 forks I had around, but needed to change out the sliders because of the KLR offset axle. Another model had most of the same inners, but with a standard axle mount.

Another option would be a set of Legacy Valk USD forks - those would be cool!

[Bill Havins]

Thanks, Mitch.

Remember, our scooters have an increased rake angle (compared to the F6B).  I have a sneaking suspicion that requires a longer fork tube, and spring, and...

So, tell me more about the USD forks, please.

On a side note, the rear shock on this scooter has quite an influence on the behavior of the front end.  I turned a lot of pre-load out of mine (6 clicks; I had left it there after a two-up ride several weekends ago) and the front end feels and behaves better, but is still not as nice as I would like.  So, it is a balancing act (front to rear).

[bscrive]

Well, I went to the local Honda dealer and measured the forks on a Goldwing and our forks are just over 2.5" longer.    So, that means that the Progressive Monotube kit that I was thinking of putting in is way too short for our bikes.  Since, the Traxxion cartridges are way too expensive, I guess I will leave it  and change the bushings next winter.

[pago cruiser]

Bill - Well... here's what I have; I've played with this a bit in my GL1800 engine being put in a Legacy Valk frame. 

Legacy Valk Rake = 32 degrees, Trail = 6"
2014 Valk Rake = 29.5 degrees, Trail = 4.5"

The Legacy Valk forks are 32.5", top of triple tree (with forks flush) to center of axle.
I can't quite see the top of the triple tree on the 2014, but to the allen head bolt (looks like appx an inch shy of the top), I measure 31.25".
So the lengths appear really close to the same.

Some pics from about the same angles:





Looked on the Traxxion site, and they do have a kit for the Legacy Valk - $999.



This might work - there will be some wheel/caliper effort though. But the lack of linked brakes on the 2014 Valk would make things easier.

All that said, take a look at the angle of the 2014 Valk headlight, compared to the angle of the handlebar fairing mounted on the Legacy Valk.  One could have been the model for the other!

[Bill Havins]

....take a look at the angle of the 2014 Valk headlight, compared to the angle of the handlebar fairing mounted on the Legacy Valk.  One could have been the model for the other!

Thanks, Mitch.  Interesting observation, too.

[bscrive]

Does anyone know when the fork bushings should be changed on our bikes?  I heard 20k miles, but that seems to be for the full Wing.
Also, what about the fork oil? I have 22k miles on my bike now and I was just wondering if it is time.  ???

[pago cruiser]

Brian - Don't know how you ride, but I would hazard a guess that if you ride...enthusiastically, after 20,000 miles you will see a considerable difference. Oil "wears" by being broken down and losing viscosity after being forced through the orifices (significantly affecting rebound), and bushing wear creates contaminants that then get distributed throughout the system. 

If you do this, take pics of the old and new oil.  I'd bet the old will be black, and the new should look like honey.