1500 Valkyrie tourer Rebuilt forks issue

[kannen69]

Hello all.

I just had my 1500 Valkyrie Tourer forks rebuilt and the steering head bearing replaced. All seems fine and tight but now when I hit a bump or pothole this metal on metal bang happens. small bumps no issue but bigger ones this happens all the time.
Your thoughts are appreciated.

Billy

[sixlow]

After I acquired my Teal Tourer and had the bills from previous owner who had the forks rebuilt at a Honda dealer I had this same bang even at slow speeds over the apron up my driveway. I removed the forks and poured out the fluid, left side was good at almost 24oz. (I think) but right fork had only 8oz., it should get almost 22oz. I believe. I guess the dealer only wanted to use one quart as that is what I recovered. the right fork does most of the bump absorbing and the left fork the return down. There is a way to check your fluid level by removing the top caps and measuring down with a ruler, do a search here on fork oil level and do some reading.. also the right fork needs to be pump up and down to allow the fluid to enter the lower area of the fork. easy to check fork level by loosening the top 2 pinch bolts, (allen head) and then take off big nut cap. hope this helps you.

[matt]

Besides noise how does it handle when hitting those bumps? I have rebuilt a couple of sets and have done head bearings have not had that issue. Did they remove springs and replace bushings?  I am in derry if you want another set of eyes to check it out pm me. Have you applied front brakes to make sure not calipers?         Matt

[Gryphon Rider]

There is a way to check your fluid level by removing the top caps and measuring down with a ruler, do a search here on fork oil level and do some reading.. also the right fork needs to be pump up and down to allow the fluid to enter the lower area of the fork. easy to check fork level by loosening the top 2 pinch bolts, (allen head) and then take off big nut cap. hope this helps you.

There are no easy ways to measure fork oil. One method is to completely and carefully drain the forks, then measure it with a graduated cylinder to refill the forks. The other method is to remove the springs and measure down.

[hubcapsc]

What Gryphon said...

There's probably something put back together wrong about your forks, unless, like sixlow
said, one of them has almost no fluid in it... he must know since it happened to him...

I remember another member with a problem similar to yours... I searched for the thread
but couldn't find it.

You, or someone you trust, probably needs to remove the forks, take them apart,
and put them back together right, as per the manual...

There's a few special tools involved, and a few tricks to get around needing them...

Your forks should be nice, not clunky... maybe edit your subject on your post and
attract the attention of someone who's had and fixed your problem...

-Mike

[fudgie]

Is it the calipers?  ???

[Paladin528]

I made a siphon tube that hooks onto the fork tube that is the correct length to set the fluid level.  I fill the forks up with the springs removed then use a large syringe to suck the excess fluid out to set the correct level.  Quick and easy.

[sandy]

Hello all.

I just had my 1500 Valkyrie Tourer forks rebuilt and the steering head bearing replaced. All seems fine and tight but now when I hit a bump or pothole this metal on metal bang happens. small bumps no issue but bigger ones this happens all the time.
Your thoughts are appreciated.

Billy

How many miles on the bike? Were slider and guide bushings replaced? Go back to the dealer and insist that this isn't normal and you want them to redo the job. Read your invoice to see what parts were used.

[kannen69]

Hi Paladin528
The RO shows:
1 - ALL Balls STRNG STEM GBRGS
2 - Seal Set FR
2 - Bush Slider
2 - Bush Guide
2 - Ring Back-up
2 - Fluid (SS-8 10W)
2 - Suspension cleaner
to replace the steering head bearing and R&R the forks
There is 79000 miles on the bike.

Billy