Front Springs and Valves

[blackvalk]

I've just removed my front fork tubes so I can send them to Race Tech to change the springs and valving. What I'm experiencing is, when I push and compress one side, it pushes pretty easy and returns a bit slow. The other side pushes easy and returns without hesitation. The spring has no resistance at all, just bounce back.

My ride was very harsh and I'm wondering if I need what I would call fairly expensive springs put in, or do I need oil? Valving? or what?

Bill

[hubcapsc]

The fork internals are different from one another... both side
have springs, only one side has a cartridge...

Most people like Valkyrie forks after they put in Progressive (brand)
springs, about $100.

-Mike

[sandy]

I wouldn't ship them off. Too much $$$. Order springs of your choosing and have a local shop rebuild your forks with the new springs. Maybe a member in your area can help you learn how to do it by yourself. Progressive; Race Tech; Hyper Pro are all excellent choices. I have Progressives in the Valk and Hyper Pro's in the Wing.

[Hook#3287]

As Hubcap said, the forks are different internally.  Only the right one has the dampning action, both have springs.

As Sandy said, you should buy your springs and swap them yourself or with the help of someone local. You'll need a special tool to remove the left fork pipe bolt #11.  Many people have them and will lend them out.  If you lived nearby, I'd help you out, but Chicago is a ride.

You should swap out your seals and dust caps also (#21) and have a couple of slider busings (#10) handy in case they need replacing.

A couple qts of fork oil and you've got everything.

I've done it 4 or 5 times and it's time consuming, but it's satisfying to do it yourself.  If your ripping the front end apart yourself, your almost 1/2 way there.

Good luck

[blackvalk]

I'm convinced I should order a pair of springs and do this with the help of a mechanic that works on VTX's and Valks. He has the special wrench

What is Race Tech talking about in the "Gold Valve".

Do I need valving as well or just the parts that have been identified?

Ordering the parts and taking them over to him is simple now that I have the bike disassembled.

[Hook#3287]

Blackvalk;

I'm not familiar with "Race Tech" or their "Gold Valve".

It looks like sometime you install in your fork tubes and it helps the front end suspension.

Maybe someone else that has used this will pipe in.

There is no "Valve" to replace in stock forks.

Most of us have just replaced the stock springs with aftermarket ones, mostly Progressive.

[blackvalk]

Hook,

If no one adds additional info on the Gold Valve, I am going to call Race Tech and/or a couple of companies that sell the Gold Valve and see what the heck it is.

The mechanic I contacted about doing the install said "send it to Race Tech, the shocks will be better than the original"

That didn't instill much confidence in his ability to install the Race Tech products.

I think any new springs will be better than the existing ones.

[hubcapsc]

If no one adds additional info on the Gold Valve, I am going to call Race Tech and/or a couple of companies that sell the Gold Valve and see what the heck it is.

Here's an ad with some description.

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Tech-Gold-Valve-Color/dp/B001P4JYJ8/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=GL1500CT%20Valkyrie%20Tour|17895&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Honda|59&Year=1997|1997&vehicleType=motorcycle&newCar=1&carId=002



Here's how I think about it... fluid squishes through orifices in the cartridge to
provide damping action. With the Gold Valve parts in there, the orifices are adjustable,
causing you to be able to tune your suspension.

My requirements plus the fine action of Valkyrie forks with good springs in them
makes me uninterested in spending any time swapping out shims inside the forks
trying to adjust them. Hard riders who are speedy wrenches could probably get
something out of them, though...

-Mike