A Good Thumping (Thru The Handle Bars)

[Fazer]

No issues with the way the bike (98 Tourer) rides or handles, but when I hit expansion joints or other sharp "bumps" it really gives a jolt to the wrists, especially if I am holding the grips firmly.  I may be like the "skinny legged Peyton Manning" in the wrist area, but these jolts are substantial.  Anyone else notice this, or am I just being a pussy?  I don't see anything else in the forum other than steering head bearing issues, and with only 20,000 miles, and in every other respect the ride is perfect, would not think there is a bad bearing.  The forks have not been messed with, according the PO, and no evidence of leaks or other calamity.

I am running 42 psi in the front and tried reducing to 36, but no discernible difference. 

[98valk]

progressive fork springs and/or reduce the fork fluid level which is part of the spring rate.
I installed progressives and used slightly less fluid than the book says.

[Paladin528]

You would be far better off using a thinner weight oil in the forks than using less oil.  Low oil in the fork will cause the oil to foam on a bumpy road and lead to poor damping.  Spring rate is set by the spring damping is set by the oil.  Firmer ride use heavier oil softer ride use thinner oil

[Tfrank59]

My bike exaggerates front wheel bumps also – the only thing I don't like about the way it rides.   I don't think Valkyries are meant to absorb bumps – they're more like a steamroller that's built to flatten them!

[Daniel Meyer]

Pretty typical of the Valk, especially at the pressures you need to run to get good life out of your front tire (42-46psi). Progressives do help though.

[Fazer]

Thanks for the replies.  Sounds like this is typical, so I will live with it.  Really don't want to get into fork work without being required to.  I do not ride aggressively, so stock suspension is fine with me.

My Shadow has a drain at the bottom of the fork--easy to experiment with different weight oils, but not the Valk.

[98valk]

You would be far better off using a thinner weight oil in the forks than using less oil.  Low oil in the fork will cause the oil to foam on a bumpy road and lead to poor damping.  Spring rate is set by the spring damping is set by the oil.  Firmer ride use heavier oil softer ride use thinner oil

the oil level would have to be pretty low to foam, not suggesting that at all.
Oil Height has always been a part of tuning forks
http://www.peterverdone.com/archive/oilheight.htm
there is no std for oil weights btwn companies

[mark81]

CA that is a very informative article. Thanks for sharing. I posted a link to it over on the cb750c.com forum after reading it

[98valk]

CA that is a very informative article. Thanks for sharing. I posted a link to it over on the cb750c.com forum after reading it

your welcome.
he has some very good things on there 

[Steve-L]

That is a very helpful website and nice explanation of how forks/shocks work.

I wonder what this imp;lies to a Valkyrie, which may be what we are feeling. "If the fork is bottoming from square edged bumps, while not under braking, the shims at the back of the stack should be changed."

[Chrisj CMA]

Make sure you steerimg head bearings aren't  too loose, and check the riser bolts under the top plate of the triple tree.  If they are a little loose it could exaggerate your symptoms.