Mushy Front End- Springs or Seals?

[rugguy]

I just replaced the rear shock bushings on my I/S and it eliminated the squirrelly' "low tire" feeling I was getting....especially riding two up. After 24k miles they were shot.

I still have a lot of front-end "give" at a stop light and fork movement at 70 mph+. The front end just feels soft and "mushy" but does not bottom out (unless I hit a hidden speed bump).

On a car, if the shocks/struts are bad you get a lot of sway and bounce. If the springs are bad they will bottom out on fast stops or acceleration. Is that the same for front mc forks? I have a friend who rides and I/S with me and his rides smoothly at higher speeds and doesn't have the same front-end give mine does. I wouldn't think the front springs would be shot after on 24k miles. 

I bought all new forks seals and plan to install. Is there a way to tell if the springs are still in spec? I know in other uses you can measure a spring's height to see if it needs to be replaced.

As always, any and all experienced help would be greatly appreciated.

[hubcapsc]

Valkyries have a lot of "dive", when you let off or hit the brakes.

Progressive (brand) springs fix this pretty much 100 percent.

I'm guessing this is what you are describing...

http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-11-1513-12-5-Spring/dp/B000UK3Q4W/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=Honda|59&Model=GL1500CT%20Valkyrie%20Tour|17895&Year=1997|1997&carId=001&n=15684181&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=motorcycle

The above URL will work if you cut and paste it into your browser location bar, there's so many funny characters in
it it confuses the automatic formatting on the board...

-Mike

[sandy]

I used Progressives in the Valk but have since discovered Hyper Pro springs. I installed a set in my '05 Wing. Love them much better. A bit pricey because they come from Sweden. HP's are the only spring progressively wound from one end of the spring to the other. All other springs are 2 stage. Part of the spring is tightly wound and the other section is loosely wound.