Fork seals and spring replacement

[hisst]

I have a 2012 Roadsmith with 73,000 miles and need to replace the seals and bushings for the Third time. What mileage do you get out of your seals before being replaced? When doing the rebuild, is it a good idea to replace the Progressive springs. What are your feelings on the best springs.
What kind of mileage are you getting before replacing the steering head bearings with the upgraded bearings or when should they be replace? Thanks

[Gold Rush]

I have a 2012 Roadsmith with 73,000 miles and need to replace the seals and bushings for the Third time. What mileage do you get out of your seals before being replaced? When doing the rebuild, is it a good idea to replace the Progressive springs. What are your feelings on the best springs.
What kind of mileage are you getting before replacing the steering head bearings with the upgraded bearings or when should they be replace? Thanks

Howdy Howard. I have not gotten to the fork rebuild point on my 2015 as yet but that 25k you are seeing is what I did with my '06 MotorTrike. As for the springs I think you are still good.

From your steering head bearing question it sounds like you do not have a rake kit installed. If you do, I am not aware of upgraded bearings to replace the tapered roller bearings which come with the rake kit. If you do not have rake kit and have no interest in one, I'd sure be putting a set of "All-Balls" tapered bearings in PDQ.

I hope that answers your question. Some will try to convince you to do aftermarket mods to your forks. Most of these mods give various levels of improvement but for most of us that cost for any improvement is a waste. Unless you are very critical and an aggressive rider I believe the OEM forks with improved springs is plenty. JMHO.

[tndragonrider]

Howdy Howard. I have not gotten to the fork rebuild point on my 2015 as yet but that 25k you are seeing is what I did with my '06 MotorTrike. As for the springs I think you are still good.

From your steering head bearing question it sounds like you do not have a rake kit installed. If you do, I am not aware of upgraded bearings to replace the tapered roller bearings which come with the rake kit. If you do not have rake kit and have no interest in one, I'd sure be putting a set of "All-Balls" tapered bearings in PDQ.

I hope that answers your question. Some will try to convince you to do aftermarket mods to your forks. Most of these mods give various levels of improvement but for most of us that cost for any improvement is a waste. Unless you are very critical and an aggressive rider I believe the OEM forks with improved springs is plenty. JMHO.

I agree with Gold Rush, a fork modification is probably not warranted on a trike. I currently have Progressive Monotubes on my Wing and I love the firm handling feel, especially in the twisties. Can't really say for sure yet what to expect with a fork mod and a rake kit, however Progressive is not too keen on the raking of their kit. You would also have to have access to a competent machinist to configure up a set or modify your fork extension that come with the kits. The ones from Progressive are red loctited on and require a little heat to remove.

[FRR]

I had Progressives on my @012 Wing with a Hannigan kit with spacers. It was so stiff I had to take the spacers out and change to regular springs. It ride so rough in broke the plastic on the front fender in four places, and those aren't cheap. Riding the same roads now with no issues. If you firm up that front end be sure you ride on smooth roads.

[tfdeputydawg]

I have a 2012 Roadsmith with 73,000 miles and need to replace the seals and bushings for the Third time. What mileage do you get out of your seals before being replaced? When doing the rebuild, is it a good idea to replace the Progressive springs. What are your feelings on the best springs.
What kind of mileage are you getting before replacing the steering head bearings with the upgraded bearings or when should they be replace? Thanks

3 times in 73,000 miles
I'm just over 40,000 on my Wing/Hannigan w/4.5 degree rake kit and still have original seals. No play in fork sliders yet, so still on the original bushings also.
As for head bearings, as already posted, if you have a rake kit(?), most likely, you have "upgraded" bearings. However, you might want to check the torque.

I had Progressives on my @012 Wing with a Hannigan kit with spacers. It was so stiff I had to take the spacers out and change to regular springs. It ride so rough in broke the plastic on the front fender in four places, and those aren't cheap. Riding the same roads now with no issues. If you firm up that front end be sure you ride on smooth roads.

+1 Progressive springs were much to stiff for my liking also.
One of the installers I talked to, when shopping for my conversion, told me, when he started his business, he insisted customers add Progressive springs also. 5 of the first 6 customers returned asking for the OEM springs to be put back in! He quit telling people they needed to change their fork springs,
I am very happy with the ride of my Wing/Hannigan w/OEM springs and 36psi in the front tire.
Springs do wear out! Replaced my OEM fork springs @ approx. 39,000 miles.

As for the comment about modifying the Mono-tubes to add the extended fork caps. Yes, that can be done but, be aware, Progressive told me the Mono-tubes are not recommended for use with rake kits and warranty will be voided on any that have been modified!

[hisst]

I have a 2012 Roadsmith with 73,000 miles and need to replace the seals and bushings for the Third time. What mileage do you get out of your seals before being replaced? When doing the rebuild, is it a good idea to replace the Progressive springs. What are your feelings on the best springs. What kind of mileage are you getting before replacing the steering head bearings with the upgraded bearings or when should they be replace? Thanks

I can't believe this work for me......I made a tool out of a plastic coke bottle to slide under the seals and rotated around the fork tube a couple of times and lifted it up. Went out for a hundred mile ride an no oil lost from the forks.... See how long this will last. Hisst

[grumpy]

FWIW, I have this: http://sealmate.net/ Have used it on several occasions. Never failed to work. Bought several a couple years ago & gave them to riding friends as Christmas presents. None of them has replaced a seal since.