Leaking Front Fork

[VanCityValkyrie]

Hi guys, maintenance question...

My left front fork has been leaking for a while now and I want to exchange all seals and put in fresh oil.
How hard of a job is it?
Or can you recommend a mechanic in the Lower Mainland who knows our bikes and knows what he's doing?

Thanks in advance and have a great weekend!

[msb]

Christian...there is a simple fork seal cleaner tool that temporality and sometimes more permanently stops leaks...Google it or chech the Tech board here.

I've never changed my own fork oil and seals so I don't know exactly what's involved...Gord or Steve may chime in, I'm sure they would know more. As for mechanics who actually know what they are doing with our bikes, for stuff I don't know how to or don't want to tackle myself, I use Dave @ Valley Power Sports. He closed down his shop in Chilliwack and now works out of his home garage in Abbotsford. Ex Honda MC mechanic who got fed up working for dealers and went on his own...lots of knowledge and experience on 1500 Wings and Valkyries. Good guy and fair. I went to him a couple years ago after finding out the other shops I had been using weren't doing things up to snuff (like not replacing O-rings in final drive assembly or greasing properly...found that out when I started doing that service on my own). Only communicates by text...no phone calls. PM me and I'll give you his # so you can text him and see if he's available.

[Jess from VA]

https://www.amazon.com/Risk-Racing-00-121-millimeters-55-millimeters/dp/B0068G164E

[VanCityValkyrie]

That tool is exactly what I have here right now. As soon as I get it in I have a waterfall of oil coming out.
Will go on and do some research...
Maybe I will get back to you, Mike, and ask for Dave's number soon. 

[gordonv]

Oil usually leaks past the seal because there is dirt holding it open. Something to get in there and "scrap" it out is what you need. There are a couple of tools you can buy (like the one you have), or a length of 35mm film. The sprocket holes catch the dirt.

You might want to search in the Tech section. I think some have removed the seal to get at the inside of it, and then seated it back into the fork. Don't forget to inspect it. If you find damage, then a replacement is the best choice.

[VanCityValkyrie]

Lesson learnt!!!

Because the bike was not lifted the first time I used the tool, I had so much oil coming out.
Put the bike on the lift so the forks are not compressed and tried again...
Bike got cleaned after and after last night's ride it seems to have worked, no leaking fork anymore.

So now there's another question: can I just open up the fork cap on the top and check the fork fluid level?
In the manual it says 5.6in from the top, but that's with the forks taken out of the bike and holding them vertical.
Anybody ever done that?

I want to fill up a bit, ride this season and then take them both apart in the winter and change to progressive forks...

[Jess from VA]

Mine leaked off and on for several years (one worse than the other), with multiple stops for long months after using the tool, and I never added any new oil.  I often had a little running down, and wet sliders, but it never got to the brakes, and misted the timing cover and pods from riding, but it looked like a worse loss than it was.  

During this time, I tried to feel by seat of the pants, riding and bouncing them if I could discern any lack of function from lost oil, and I never could.  

They finally both got rebuilt (by someone who knew exactly how to do it) and with maybe 1.5-2 less ounces on each side than called for, as I requested (because I had my other bike rebuilt with springs and oil but never any leaks, and they turned out hard as a rock, teeth and shoulder jarring).  And I could not discern any harder/better forks after the job was completed.  They just never leaked again.

What I didn't do (forgot) was ask him to measure the amount that came out.  

I was glad to get them fixed.  But my riding was never compromised that I could discover during that appx. 3yr period.  

If you do add oil, it's better if you underestimate than overestimate.  

[gordonv]

If you search, you find other responses like Jess's. Don't worry about it.

I had progressive front springs in my Green IS. Never noticed a difference, between 2 Valk ISs and one GL1500 GW I had for over 3 years.

[SteveH]

I've done my forks on both the Valkyrie and Goldwing . Replace both the seals and bushings  .  With the forks out, you can check the oil height with the forks held vertical . BUT, you must slowly pump the fork to expel the air and charge the fork or you will end up with less oil than required even though you thought you had filled to the correct height . ..... I have changed springs with the forks in place ( and removed same springs in favour of the stock springs) . If you don't know the correct height of oil with the bike sitting in it's normal position,  then hoist the ass end of the bike up as high as you dare such that the front forks are vertical and check height of oil. BE CAREFUL , have the bike well secured and supported, as this is a sure fire way of dropping the bike if you are not well secured and braced !! Too much oil , thicker oil = harder ride . Too little oil = softer ride, less damping , more spongy.  Progressive springs are favoured by "heavy" riders . I weigh 180 -195 depending on if I have been a good boy or not  . I've found that the stock springs work well  for me and give the control I'm looking for . For my riding style , I found the progressives to be too harsh for long distance cruising and didn't keep me in contact with the road as intimately as the stock suspension . However, that is just my experience and I appreciate that many folks may feel differently.

[SteveH]

If you are in a dilemma as to how much oil to put into your shocks, because some has leaked out, and you no longer have a reference ..... here is a trick I have used : Find a piece of pipe or PVC  that is approximately the same inside diameter( ID) as the front fork . With the pipe held vertical , fill it with water to the height recommended in the manual for filling a vertical front fork . NOW , angle the pipe to the same rake as your bikes front fork  . MEASURE the new height of the water on either the low side or high side and record this measurement ........ Now when you fill your front fork with oil, you will have a reasonable idea of what level to fill the fork 

[Gizmo]

Hmm, I just checked that link and it says that it doesn't fit my 2003
I tried different years and an interstate and got the same message.
???

https://www.amazon.com/Risk-Racing-00-121-millimeters-55-millimeters/dp/B0068G164E

[VanCityValkyrie]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone!

This one here is one of the best videos I found on a fork rebuild. It's on a Goldwing, but pretty much the same fork.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PdFv2v1iYI

After what I heard now I might rethink the progressive forks and just do a proper rebuild and use the OEM ones again. New oil, maybe a thicker one to get it a bit stiffer, and then go from there.

Thanks everyone!!!!

[Jess from VA]

Hmm, I just checked that link and it says that it doesn't fit my 2003
I tried different years and an interstate and got the same message.
???

https://www.amazon.com/Risk-Racing-00-121-millimeters-55-millimeters/dp/B0068G164E

Amazon fitment recommendations (on all kinds of things) are notoriously inaccurate.  Probably because the various thousands of sellers are better salesman than internet page creators.

To my knowledge, the Valk's big forks require (and work best with) the large size Fork Doctor.  

Additionally, because the Valk is so long out of production, even many direct motorcycle parts manufacturers, simply never even consider Valk part fitment or include them in their fitment charts.

[Gizmo]

Good to know thanks.

Hmm, I just checked that link and it says that it doesn't fit my 2003
I tried different years and an interstate and got the same message.
???

https://www.amazon.com/Risk-Racing-00-121-millimeters-55-millimeters/dp/B0068G164E

Amazon fitment recommendations (on all kinds of things) are notoriously inaccurate.  Probably because the various thousands of sellers are better salesman than internet page creators.

To my knowledge, the Valk's big forks require (and work best with) the large size Fork Doctor.  

Additionally, because the Valk is so long out of production, even many direct motorcycle parts manufacturers, simply never even consider Valk part fitment or include them in their fitment charts.

[SteveH]

Be careful when substituting a difference viscosity oil in the front forks!  A small viscosity change can lead to a dramatic difference in damping and ride quality . Best to start with the recommended viscosity. If you feel you would like increase the stiffness, then syringe out SOME of the stock fluid and replace it with thicker viscosity ..... in other words , sneak up on it a bit at a time . 

[SteveH]

Always a good idea to thoroughly clean your forks when washing your bike . Some bugs "stick like snot to screen door" and can get caught in the seal, causing a leak . 

[msb]

Christian, just a tip for ya... if you're going to go with one person's suggestions on this forum when it comes to technical advice, I'd go with the guy at the top of my list... Steve. Not to dismiss some excellent info provided by Gord and others... including our retired lawyer friend from Virgina, Jess (who I think hangs around here on occasion because deep down inside he thinks we're a pretty cool bunch and secretly wishes he could find the time to ride out and visit us here in BC ), but you just can't go wrong with the always well thought out to the minutest detail info our esteemed friend from Kelowna Steve offers up

ps... I like Dos Equis, Steve  

[SteveH]

Mike .... Gosh , darn  Would a 24 work for you??

[Jess from VA]

I'd love to ride around up there Mike.  

I just lack the motivation to ride OUT there.

I drove from Riverside CA to Alexandria VA in 1992.  And even in the comfort of my El Camino (with the wife and cats) it wasn't that much fun (especially the ice and snow part), so I don't do it anymore.  

I did walk down and get my mail today.   Whew.    

[msb]

Steve.... What...they don't come in a 36  pack? 

Jess... you are more than welcome around here anytime... either just through your comments here on the BC board, or in person  We're just happy anyone from the East even knows we exist  

[VanCityValkyrie]

Haha, thanks Mike. I like this forum here a lot and will come back here when I have more questions. The big groups on Facebook are a bit crazy and you either get dumb answers or none at all.

I will ride the bike for as long as possible without having the fork leak and then do a proper rebuild as seen in the video I posted above, using the recommended oil.

Thanks a bunch, guys! And I hope to get a ride in with some of you soon!!!
Maybe another canyon ride soon, Mike? And then you have to show me your posts for taking all your awesome pics ;-)