Forks

[pancho]

I am going to disassemble the forks at some point in the near future to inspect everything and replace oil and dust seals. I am wondering what others have seen on their bushings and sliders upon disassembly,, did they show wear, need replacement? Bike has about 80K.

Also, what are the thoughts on using ATF instead of dedicated fork oil.

[3W-lonerider]

i have always replaced bushings and sliders in every fork rebuild. mainly because it doesn't take much wear on those to allow side to side play in the forks. and the more play there is the chances of the fork leaking a couple of months after a rebuild increase.

[HayHauler]

I replace them every time, because it is such a PITA to remove them.  I am afraid that I am going to damage something to the point that they no longer dampen.  They are no longer available new.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Valker]

I replace mine also. I do use ATF rather than fork oil. ATF is 8wt.

[pancho]

When you replace the bushings and sliders, do you notice any wear on the old ones? I mean I understand replacing them while your in there, but not if they are still like new and broken in and riding right. I also don't like messing with something that does not require attention, like you said the chances of damaging something goes up. Now if guys are seeing wear marks when rebuilding, I will get some before I proceed.

hey Valker, did you notice anything different when you went to ATF?

[Valker]

ATF gave a more pleasant/less harsh ride. I replaced the bearings and sliders on mine as they were about 30% worn. I kept the old ones as “useable”. My forks had about 130,000 miles when I replaced them.

[Hook#3287]

Every time I've had to replace seals in forks I've replaced the guides and I believe all showed wear as defined in the service manual.

[98valk]

at 80k miles your forks are fine and don't need a rebuild. many on here for yrs have reported 150k miles and rebuild was needed. question is was the fluid ever replaced during those miles?  
 I/S forks are a stiffer ride than the std/tourer forks.

all fork fluids are different. the weights given are not standardized like motor oils.

https://www.peterverdone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Suspension_Fluid

https://www.peterverdone.com/suspension-fluids/

how to stop leaking fork seals. 2k miles now and zero leaks even with winter temp changes

https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,126543.0.html

I run Amsoil fork fluid. I mixed the 5wt and 10wt in correct ratio to have 7.5 wt.
https://www.amsoil.com/search/#q=fork%20fluid&t=totalProductsTab&sort=relevancy&numberOfResults=20

[Jess from VA]

This job is beyond my skill set.

Many years ago I paid a guy to replace my fluid, and provided him with the specs.

Thereafter, that bike rode like it had no fork springs at all.  Jarring, tongue biting, shoulder jerking (like an empty one-ton truck).   

Dude, I think you overfilled these, ride it around the block (he did).

I think you're right (and he let some out). 

I found a new guy. 

[pancho]

Appreciate all the information guys, I now see it will be wise to have the bushings and sliders on hand when I do take them apart for inspection.  I know,,, probably seems like a no brainer!

I just want to take a look 98valk, the fluid has never been changed, and I have lost a bit over the years and want to look at everything. I just put a new front tire on, and noticed the left had been weeping for awhile, and not the first time, although I don't remember if it was the same side. SealMate cleared it up, but I will order sliders and bushings, seals are already on the way, and sometime soon do the job and try ATF.

[Jess from VA]

Before mine were fixed, I used that Seal Mate too.

Just so you know, this thing worked much better.  After your work, hopefully you don't need either.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Universal-Cleaning-Repairing-Maintenance/dp/B0CB31QGN7/ref=asc_df_B0CB31QGN7?mcid=3a84e123104539ee83fce269de8f3625&hvocijid=13712988373587075331-B0CB31QGN7-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730432682330&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13712988373587075331&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008188&hvtargid=pla-2281435176898&psc=1

[98valk]

Appreciate all the information guys, I now see it will be wise to have the bushings and sliders on hand when I do take them apart for inspection.  I know,,, probably seems like a no brainer!

I just want to take a look 98valk, the fluid has never been changed, and I have lost a bit over the years and want to look at everything. I just put a new front tire on, and noticed the left had been weeping for awhile, and not the first time, although I don't remember if it was the same side. SealMate cleared it up, but I will order sliders and bushings, seals are already on the way, and sometime soon do the job and try ATF.

when only one is leaking usually that is from correct front wheel install, mine the none speedo fork was leaking until I followed the better procedure as stated in this thread.
https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,116905.0.html

 them my leak was greatly reduced. so then I added the ATP AT-205, leak stopped.

I also loosen the fender bolts attached to the lower forks. for mine they twist them slightly without the axle installed.

[rug_burn]

I just did a fork seal job about 6 months ago..   I deburred those through holes on the tubes so they wouldn't cut the seals, and used masking tape over the holes, too, while sliding them through the seals.  I used 5wt oil on mine, too, for a softer ride.   
    And having done this job once before on this bike, I wasn't sure if the tubes really needed to be inverted while compressed, or what, to get all the air out of center chamber of the two legs (hard to do).   It seemed like maybe it wasn't all out.    So this time, with the outer tubes still on the bike, when it came time to fill with the correct amount of fluid, I poured it in directly on those center rods so it would fill the interior chamber first, and let rest of the fluid go into the outer part.    Seems like they're working better, like they actually should, but I really didn't analyze it.  FWIW.

[pancho]

Good thought!

[hubcapsc]

I've rebuilt my forks several times. There's always wear that you can see on the "wear parts".

I use the Honda service manual's "measure from the top" method of refilling. Don't forget to
fill the cartridge...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tikm2dBQ56I