Forks too firm?

[Heinno]

My Valk's front end is really firm - it is great for handling, but not too comfy. If I would like to soften the ride a bit, could I adjust the springs or maybe remove some oil? Any other advice welcomed - thanks

[R J]

Have you owned the bike since new?

Are the fork springs stock or after market?

If stock, did this stiffness happen after a tire removal?

If yes, you have the fork tubes in a bind.

Loosen the bolts, and axle nut.  

Go through the sequence of tightening that is in the manual.

Should cure your problem.

If after market springs, take em out or live with it......   Sorry.

[csj]

On the last tire(s) change, I decided to run both tires at 42psi
instead of my usual 34psi.

The front end for me became much more firm (at 42), and often
nearly wrenched the bars out of my hands on bumps.

Had the fork seals replaced last year, but with 42 psi
the front end is still way too firm. I could go back to 34psi,
but then that early cupping would happen again.

Tradeoff

[sandy]

If your forks are good, I'd change the oil in them to a 5 weight or blend 10 with 5 to make a 7.5 wt fork oil. First check the front end for the binding previously mentioned. I use 15 wt with progressive springs and have no problems.

[Valker]

Lots of folks seem to think that mixing two different weight oils will 'average' the viscosity. Does anyone KNOW if this is true? It seems to me that if you mixed 5wt and 10wt oil, you'd just have two layers of different weights. I'm not trying to 'dis' anyone, I really am just curious. I used to teach basic science to kids and one of the experiments we always did was 'layers' of different weights of oils. ( I realize I am using 'weight' and 'viscosity' interchangeably here)

[Heinno]

Have you owned the bike since new?

Are the fork springs stock or after market?

If stock, did this stiffness happen after a tire removal?

If yes, you have the fork tubes in a bind.

Loosen the bolts, and axle nut.  

Go through the sequence of tightening that is in the manual.

Should cure your problem.

If after market springs, take em out or live with it......   Sorry.

No I am the second owner, got the bike the way it is. The previous owner told me the bike is 100% stock - so I guess the fork springs are stock. I changed the tire during last year that I had the bike - made sure I tightned the bolds in the correct order - the stiffness was the same after the tire replacement than before.

He did mention that he had the forkseals replaced just before I bought the bike - so I am thinking possibly overfill with forkoil?

[Heinno]

If your forks are good, I'd change the oil in them to a 5 weight or blend 10 with 5 to make a 7.5 wt fork oil. First check the front end for the binding previously mentioned. I use 15 wt with progressive springs and have no problems.

The fork are not slow on moving up or down - theyjust do not have a lot of "give" - seems to only move about an inch and a half up and down. (The bike handles great, but a bit more plushness would be appreciated.

[98valk]

http://pvdwiki.com/index.php?title=Suspension_Fluid

[Patrick]

Your forks should move more than your inch or so.. It seems like you may have something binding or too much oil.. You can remove oil thru the top cap, try to remove the same amount from each.. If these aren't your problem, you could try a lighter oil as mentioned. If I remember correctly I think they come with 10 wgt..

[Heinno]

Your forks should move more than your inch or so.. It seems like you may have something binding or too much oil.. You can remove oil thru the top cap, try to remove the same amount from each.. If these aren't your problem, you could try a lighter oil as mentioned. If I remember correctly I think they come with 10 wgt..

Yes, I had a Nomad before - the fork moved about 2 and a half to 3 inches - was a nice plush ride, but a bit more wobbly at higher speeds.

[czuch]

Sandy;
I have heavier oil in mine too. Could be an Arizona thing as we ride in 105deg all summer and think we're sane.
Valker;
I would suppose the action of the forks would take care of any "viscosclines" after a short while.
Heinmo;
32psi is your friend.

[Ricky-D]

If your forks are good, I'd change the oil in them to a 5 weight or blend 10 with 5 to make a 7.5 wt fork oil. First check the front end for the binding previously mentioned. I use 15 wt with progressive springs and have no problems.

The fork are not slow on moving up or down - theyjust do not have a lot of "give" - seems to only move about an inch and a half up and down. (The bike handles great, but a bit more plushness would be appreciated.

If you are saying they move 1-1/2" up and 1-1/2" down that would be 3" of travel which I think would be normal.

Does the bike settle when you move it upright, off the side stand? I think it should!

If you're trying to push the front end down to experience the motion of the shock absorbers, well, whatever you would feel is not a good indicator of anything.

it is pretty easy to see the travel by looking at the area on the shock tube with a discerning eye. It will be apparent by the polishing action of the dust seal on the tube!

***

[Heinno]

If your forks are good, I'd change the oil in them to a 5 weight or blend 10 with 5 to make a 7.5 wt fork oil. First check the front end for the binding previously mentioned. I use 15 wt with progressive springs and have no problems.

The fork are not slow on moving up or down - theyjust do not have a lot of "give" - seems to only move about an inch and a half up and down. (The bike handles great, but a bit more plushness would be appreciated.

If you are saying they move 1-1/2" up and 1-1/2" down that would be 3" of travel which I think would be normal.

Does the bike settle when you move it upright, off the side stand? I think it should!

If you're trying to push the front end down to experience the motion of the shock absorbers, well, whatever you would feel is not a good indicator of anything.

it is pretty easy to see the travel by looking at the area on the shock tube with a discerning eye. It will be apparent by the polishing action of the dust seal on the tube!

***

Nope, it travels 1.5 inches in total. If I pick up the bike it just stay in one place, when I i sit on it, it gives a bit - about 0.5 inches.

[R J]

If your forks are good, I'd change the oil in them to a 5 weight or blend 10 with 5 to make a 7.5 wt fork oil. First check the front end for the binding previously mentioned. I use 15 wt with progressive springs and have no problems.

The fork are not slow on moving up or down - theyjust do not have a lot of "give" - seems to only move about an inch and a half up and down. (The bike handles great, but a bit more plushness would be appreciated.

If you are saying they move 1-1/2" up and 1-1/2" down that would be 3" of travel which I think would be normal.

Does the bike settle when you move it upright, off the side stand? I think it should!

If you're trying to push the front end down to experience the motion of the shock absorbers, well, whatever you would feel is not a good indicator of anything.

it is pretty easy to see the travel by looking at the area on the shock tube with a discerning eye. It will be apparent by the polishing action of the dust seal on the tube!

***

Nope, it travels 1.5 inches in total. If I pick up the bike it just stay in one place, when I i sit on it, it gives a bit - about 0.5 inches.

After reading all of your comments to here, sounds like toooooo much oil.   These forks will not be real plush like your Nomad I think it was you said.   The Valkyrie does have a fairly firm setup.     I have progressive springs in mine and my travel is just a tad more than yours with 1 cc less oil than recommended.   I think that is the amount we left out way back then.    Haven't touched the forks or the oil in a couple of years.   But it was .5 to 1 cc we left out.    Went through about a gallon of 5 wt fork oil during the change over and what ride I was trying to achieve.   I'm stubborn, we made the change to Progressive springs and I was NOT going to change back.   Just my style.