Fork rebuild?

[kingjason]

You know there are a lot of things I have done on a MC but never forks. Any special tools needed for this? I may end up farming this out. I also have the fork rebuild kit coming.



I am pulling the lowering kit off the rear and going with progressive shocks that are lowered one inch. To compliment this I also got new front drop in cartridges. I am tired of the bike sitting lower in the rear, since I never lwered the front, and one of my forks may be leaking anyways. I have not done anything in a long time to it but ride it so I thought it needed some attention at a whopping 20k. 96 HD FLH.

[Baron Von Crowder]

subscribing. I can recomend a couple of good shops if you need to have someone do it.

[ktm300hater]

dampening rod forks are super easy. you can make seal drivers out of pvc split in half. The bottom bolt is the hardest part, but using an impact and zipping it loose with the spring still installed works well

[kingjason]

I got the rears done tonight and wow it rides better. I have a terrible dip in one of my streets that I almost have to stand up to ride over at speed like a dirt bike. Not anymore.

KTM I have read this about the PVC trick and may read up a little more on it. I was mainly concerned that I would need some sort of spring compressor. It looks pretty straight forward.

I also changed my plugs which appeared to be factory stock. It did run a tad better.

[Buick355]

I've done plenty of KYB and WP dirtbike forks, but not any street bike forks. It's probably not that bad if you take your time and have the right tools. A manual helps to.

I made a seal driver out of PVC also. I got tired of how clumsy it was so I bought a real seal driver.

[bird_dog0347]

I have done dirtbike forks (easiest) as well as sportbike inverted forks... If you have a buddy the sportbike forks are easier, and you just need some sort of spring compressor tool. My buddy made one out of a metal pipe, drilled two holes and tapped them in the middle 180 degrees apart, then threaded big screws in to run into the holes inside to push down on the spring while the buddy unscrews the retaining nut. The only other thing I recommend is the fork oil measuring tube. Like a big ass syringe, but has a long needle with measurements on it so you know A. how much fluid you put in, and B. the fluid height.

[ram57ta]

I've done several rebuilds of front forks on Japanese dirt and street bikes but so far have never done a Harley. I fear I'm soon going to be rebuilding my steering head bearings on the Blackbird (when the front wheel is off the ground there is a definite notch at dead center that didn't use to be there)....guess I can't complain given the bike has 81k miles on it and has never been touched. Gotta love a Honda.

[thedriver33]

gonna need my front forks rebuilt soon......one side on mine is leaking very slowy, lol.

[kingjason]

The shop I use quoted me 3hrs at around 225.00. It may be worth it just not to have to mess with it.

[kingjason]

@$@$@$@$%#%^&%**(&*^. Dropped it off at noon then got a phone call at 4pm telling me he couldn't get the legs off after he had it all taken apart. I did some reading and yes they can take some umph and penetrating oil to get off. Well I burned out to go up there and help him and he was in the midddle of putting it back together.He said he was frustrated with it and just decided screw it. Kind of funny how all the articles I read made it look easy. Then you type in "lower legs stuck" and find mucho articles on the web about them being a bitch to get loose.

Now I am torn again on me doing it or finding a place that really knows HD's. Good thing is the new rears I put on it brought it back up a tad and it rides much better but I am ready for level.