front end problems

[old stoner]

I had an ez steer with all ball bearings, new fork brace and new michelin" spelling?" tire installed by a dealer on my 2001 1800 Goldwing . It was great for about 10,000 miles but now something seems different! The front rides harder when it hits bumps or man hole lids and etc. Any input would be great!!!

 

[Memnoch451]

Wow this is pretty open ended....


Change fork oil and or change fork valving. ( lighter oil )
I hope not the same tire at 10 k if so... how is the wear?
Was it a gradual decline in the ride or did it just start out of no where?
The rake kit is really not going to cause a hard ride... I believe it to either be your forks, tires ( check pressure in all) or Gremlins.

 

[chaz_36]

Check your anti-dive valve actuator. If it is not operating properly can cause symptoms you describe. It's on the left fork leg, some just disable it by using a spacer (nickel with a hole drilled in it)....If you have a Michelin Pilot Activ tire, 10,000 miles is just getting started - recently took the one off my trike at 24,000 miles, still looked good, had lots of tread left but did not want to chance it on an upcoming 6,000 mile trip.

 

[Gold Rush]

Check your anti-dive valve actuator. If it is not operating properly can cause symptoms you describe. It's on the left fork leg, some just disable it by using a spacer (nickel with a hole drilled in it)....If you have a Michelin Pilot Activ tire, 10,000 miles is just getting started - recently took the one off my trike at 24,000 miles, still looked good, had lots of tread left but did not want to chance it on an upcoming 6,000 mile trip.

Chaz mentioned the anti-dive and that is a good possibility. Easy to check... Just get on the bike and lock up the front brake and see if you can pump the forks up and down. If you can then release the front and step on the rear brake and try again. This time there should be no fork travel. That in a nut shell is what the maintenance manual says to do. I've gotten in a habit of checking every once in a while. Over 150,000 miles now and never once had them fail.

 

[old stoner]

Thanks for all the input! Gold Rush, I did what you said and it still seems to have movement with the rear brake on!!! So what do I do next? Jerr!!!

 

[Blackwillow]

My trike also seems to suffer from the same rough response going thru potholes and man hole covers, ( why do roads departments insist on putting them in the middle of the road). Anyway to Goldrush suggestion and front brake applied was able to pump the fork up and down albeit with a rough feel to it not a smooth flow. how ever with the back brake applied the forks were solid.
Is it necessary to remove the forks completely to check oil level? Have invested in a service manual, and have used it to replace the air filter so far, money well spent.
Also realizing I may have another issue. Lately I have noticed that when I first start the bike and set off on a ride the brake pedal seems to have more travel initially then on later times when I apply the pedal. Air??
Have ordered a Handy lift so I can get her up and look around. Planning on doing some serious makeovers during the winter months.
Thanks for the help in advance. Also thanks to Chaz and Goldrush

 

[Gold Rush]

It very well might be that Old Stoner and Blackwillow have the same problem when it comes to the hard bumps. Old Stoner does have anti-dive issues but that is not causing the hard bumps......

I'm guessing the fork springs might be the real culprit. I wish I knew more about them so I could give some help.

When I installed my rake kit I also totally rebuilt my forks and installed progressive springs. The OEM springs were tired and saggy and I also wanted a little lift. Some might say mine are harsh but I like them and that is what counts... Rebuilding forks is a nasty job but with patience almost anyone can do it....

 

[John Luciano]

Progressive springs stopped mt bottoming out. But I have a 1997

 

[mtn rider]

I just finished rebuilding my forks with new progressive springs, slider bushings, oil seals, and dust covers and fresh 10wt oil. Now it rides and drives like POWER STEERING. The old stock springs were very weak causing the forks to bottom out on hard pot holes and rr tracks. Not that bad of a job with a good service manual.

 

[bigdave]

Last GL1800 I triked I put on Traxxion's springs. They make a single rate spring designed for your load. It seems to work much better than the oem springs or Progressive springs. I'll rebuild my forks this winter and I'm adding the Traxxion single rate springs.
Dave

Dave's Trikes