Front end issues?

[daTank]

So, I recently picked up a 2000 Interstate with 12,000 miles. I was out riding, on the freeway and in the corner I got a wobble.  I slowed down and it subsided.  I got to where I was going and I did a once over of the bike.  The back tire was low, so I thought, ok maybe it was that. When I bought the bike I noticed that it had two different tires on it.  The front has a new Dunflop E3 and the back looked like the original (??) Dunflop.  I was planning on buying new rubber and replacing them anyways...  About the same time, I noticed that the front forks had quite a bit of 'travel'.

Last night, I took it for about a 2 mile ride and it feels like it's binding up when I turn it. When I got it home I jacked it up to check it and everything seemed fine(neck bearings, wheel bearings and the tire).

I'm thinking it 'may' be that the forks are in desperate need of attention but I'm not sure.....

[hubcapsc]

You can get the manual online here:     http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

You can get tons of info out of searching this board, and the "shoptalk" link at the top.

The top bushing on your shocks are an easy thing to check for some wobbles, they'll
look bad if they are bad.

The forks normally do a lot of "pogoing"... a lot of us put in Progressive brand springs
and think it is a lot better, pretty darn good actually.

Google up how to read tire date codes, if you had an original tire it might be so old
that the date code format is different - change out old tires! And get new
valve stems, there's metal ones that are a ton better than the OEM ones.

The only bad thing that usually goes wrong with forks is their internal bushings
get worn and/or the seals leak... there's several ways to going about refurbishing
them, the valkyrienorway site has a video I think, there's a u-tube video about
a VTX that is close enough, and there's the "right" way in the manual that
requires some special tools...

-Mike

[Ricky-D]

At 12,000 miles, I would hardly think the problem is with the bike and is more than likely the tire causing the problem you report.

***

[old2soon]

Have a look see at the upper shock bushings. If they are not centered when you pull out the bolt and washer they need replacing. Tire pressures M/C specific tires-try 42 45 P S I front and 42 44 rear. I also have n I/S-thee are heavy azzed bikes we ride!  RIDE SAFE.

[pancho]

The first thing I would suspect, is anything that had been messed with over the years.  The rear tire has probably been replaced at 12000 if the front has been replaced. I would pull both wheels and check the balancing, or just add some ceramic beads. If you suspect fork problems, I would look for any evidence of past or current leakage, then pull the tubes and check for proper fluid level, it would have had to leak quite a bit to give handling problems.

"I noticed that the front forks had quite a bit of 'travel'."  that may be normal, as they do... the question is are they too soft.

[longrider]

I had a similar issue many years back on a valk I had owned for some time.  Some of our valks run well with the E3 on the front and some don't.  I removed a brand new E3 and installed a cobra and the problem was solved.  I've been running Cobras front and rear since and have had no issue.  It might be wise to go through the front end again but at 12000 miles I doubt you have problems there.  Be sure and run 40 psi front and back

[daTank]

The Ups guy delivered a set of Metzlers to my front door last night(880 marathons). So, hopefully, that'll take care of it.
Which progressive springs?

[hubcapsc]

The Ups guy delivered a set of Metzlers to my front door last night(880 marathons). So, hopefully, that'll take care of it.
Which progressive springs?

You can probably just google "progressive springs valkyrie" and get a
bunch of hits for the right thing... I get stuff from Amazon when I can,
that search got me this at Amazon:

11-1513 FRK SPRING VALKYRIE

-Mike "look at your upper shock bushings while you're messing with the rear tire..."

[Red Diamond]

With 12K miles I'd leave everything as is until those tires are installed and a new test ride is completed. Your bike is still new if it has just 12K miles on it, not enough to wear out anything.

[old2soon]

With 12K miles I'd leave everything as is until those tires are installed and a new test ride is completed. Your bike is still new if it has just 12K miles on it, not enough to wear out anything.

       EXCEPT I M H O those upper shock bushings. They get nasty just sittin there. RIDE SAFE.

[Bighead]

Had a similar feel a while back and I woulda laid money that it was the front ( whether it be fork or bearing or wheel/ tire) but it was the rear tire it had cupped and at low speed or in a corner it would wobble and not just a little new rear tire cured that problem.

[john]

With 12K miles I'd leave everything as is until those tires are installed and a new test ride is completed. Your bike is still new if it has just 12K miles on it, not enough to wear out anything.

             ROGER THAT

[Gavin_Sons]

With 12K miles I'd leave everything as is until those tires are installed and a new test ride is completed. Your bike is still new if it has just 12K miles on it, not enough to wear out anything.

       EXCEPT I M H O those upper shock bushings. They get nasty just sittin there. RIDE SAFE.

 

[h13man]

12,000 mi. on a rear stock tire? I doubt it unless its down to the cords. I would check how old the tires are front and back before tearing into your lady. Old tires aren't a good senario on a bike.