From happy to concerned

[Quince]

When I picked up the 2000 Valkyrie I was happy front shock absorbers were clean with no oil at all on them. Now that every bump in the road hits my wrists like a hammer, I wonder if it's any oil left inside the shocks. Is there an easy way to find out and if so, maybe top them up? Does this oil need to be ever changed, or can you just add what you need on top of the old one? Thanks.

[98valk]

std/tourer or I/S?

more oil makes a stiffer ride

[da prez]

  To answer your basic question , yes. Loosen the triple tree top clamp , use a wire and insert about four (?) inches with a marked stop on the wire. I do not have my notes in front of me. Pull out and measure the distance to the oil. There is a measurement in the book or in tech.  My guess is the seals may need changing.  FYI , only use OEM Honda seals.

                                                            da prez

[sandy]

  To answer your basic question , yes. Loosen the triple tree top clamp , use a wire and insert about four (?) inches with a marked stop on the wire. I do not have my notes in front of me. Pull out and measure the distance to the oil. There is a measurement in the book or in tech.  My guess is the seals may need changing.  FYI , only use OEM Honda seals.

                                                            da prez

The book measurement is done before installing the springs. The way to get it right is to empty all the oil out and ad the amount based on ounces.

[Quince]

I was afraid of this. To empty implies taking them off. I am not planning to do this until end of the year if really needed. At that time I also have timing belts and air filter on the list.
Now, speaking of seals, the need to chhange them if there is no leak is confusing. Are there internal seals that regulate the oil flow and therefor amount of dampening?
Anybody knows the oil level from tube top with all internal spring components installed? I'll look up the service manual tonight but maybe I get lucky here.
Does the statement, more oil makes suspension harder assumes an overfilled shock with zero room for air? I assumed dampening is regulated by transfer hole sizes as long as you have enough oil to cover the full stroke. 
Sorry for questions jumping all over.
Thank you

[Quince]

Oh, and it's just a standard model.

[98valk]

Oh, and it's just a standard model.

was asking since the I/S has stiffer valving thereby always providing a harsher ride.

use handheld suction pump to extract oil fluid.  

https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,126543.0.html
this additive will stop fork leak, over 6k miles now still leak free.
many fork oils already have some seal sweller in them, I know the Amsoil fluid I use does, so I just added some more and a better product.

https://atpautomotive.com/fluids-and-additives/re-seal

scotty kilmer approved.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Scotty+Kilmer+at-205

make sure front wheel is installed correctly  this is what I did.

Torqued down the axle without pinch bolts and fender bolts tighten. Then tighten caliper and right side pinch bolts. This put the guide line on the axle just touching the speedo housing, this is a std/tourer and not at the fork as the VTX sites show.
The wheel spins freely for many turns. will do the brake fork bounce and tighten the pinch and fender bolts after finishing up the brakes.
https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,116905.0.html

[sandy]

Where in the world are you? Someone local might be able to help.

[Quince]

Where in the world are you? Someone local might be able to help.

Solon, just South of Cleveland. I can manage. Thank you.