Stiff Front Forks

[controlu]

I don't know if this post should be under "Goldwing" or "Champion Conversions". Forgive me if I muck this up.

I just bought an ’03 GL1800 with a Champion kit. The front suspension feels like it is welded solid. Every little imperfection in the road comes right up the handlebars. When I stand on the pegs and “pounce” or “lunge” on the handlebars to try to bake the front-end bounce, there is not one bit of give to the forks. However, if the trike is slowly rolling forward and I slam the front brake, the front-end dives like expected.

Being new to the trike world, is this normal? I’ve always heard that riding a Goldwing is like riding a couch, but not in this case. What weight oil should be in the front forks? I’m tempted to change it out for a lighter oil.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

Guessing the stiffness is due to a rake kit. Look at the triple tree ... if it's black ... probably no rake kit ... aluminum ... rake kit. my 08 with the champion kit was the same way, not sure what to do about the stiffness.​

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Do you know the following:

1. Does the ADV work or is it stuck?

2. Stock fork springs or something like progressives?

3. How many miles since the forks were serviced, if at all? Might need a total rebuild using new OEM springs.

4. What Pressure do you have in the front tire? I would not run more than 36psi

Just because it has a rake kit(if it does)that will not make the suspension "rock hard"

Puzzled by "front suspension feels like it is welded solid" but, then you say "if the trike is slowly rolling forward and I slam the front brake, the front-end dives like expected."

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I'm sure many of us would appreciate a post telling us what you found or had done to fix your problem. So many posters never let us know if any of our suggestions helped and what was done to fix a concern!

 

[rhino 2]

I'm sure many of us would appreciate a post telling us what you found or had done to fix your problem. So many posters never let us know if any of our suggestions helped and what was done to fix a concern!

Yep , That would be nice, And also very helpful to someone who has the same problem...:Shrug:

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

My 08 Honda with the Champion kit had really stiff front forks, Honda told me it was due to the increased rake ... guess they didn't know either. :Shrug:

This is one of the things i love about this site ... I learn something new every day.;

 

[controlu]

I went to the dealer and he told me the problem in a rake kit. Soooo...I'm gonna disable the anti-dive. I believe I'll also contact Champion Trikes and check out the rake kit theory. It may be a week before I get-r-done but I'll check back with a report.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Check to see if forks are binding.

Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark,:AGGHH:

Loosen the left front axle pinch bolts.

Pull the trike forward and apply the front brake to make the front end dive.

Do this several times and secure the pinch bolts.

Try pushing down on it afterwards.

A simple check to eliminate fork alignment as being the cause if the stiffness.:Shrug:

 

[Papa Zook]

Mark Mark Mark Mark Mark,:AGGHH:

Loosen the left front axle pinch bolts.

Pull the trike forward and apply the front brake to make the front end dive.

Do this several times and secure the pinch bolts.

Try pushing down on it afterwards.

A simple check to eliminate fork alignment as being the cause if the stiffness.:Shrug:

Yep, this is a great place to start and I imagine that given how stiff your front end is, your problem may be a combination of more than one issue. To get it right I would suggest starting with Jim's suggestion and see if there is any improvement.

The right long term fix IMHO is to have a competent mechanic service the forks, install new OEM springs (I'd bet you have Progressive Springs now), clean and polish the fork tubes, drain and replace the fluid, install new slider bushings and seals and align the front end properly like Jim suggested. I'm amazed at how many early GL1800s I see that have never had their forks checked and serviced.

 

[controlu]

Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee (sounds like an old do-wop song)

The dealer is going to replace a seal as soon as the part comes in so I'll have the forks serviced at the same time (b4 I mess with the anti-dive). I'll post the results.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee (sounds like an old do-wop song)

The dealer is going to replace a seal as soon as the part comes in so I'll have the forks serviced at the same time (b4 I mess with the anti-dive). I'll post the results.

Talk to your dealer: Checking/cleaning(repairing if needed) the ADV should be part of the fork service, IMO.

I never liked the idea of shimming the ADV. It's there for a reason!

 

[controlu]

Shim added

I added the nickle to the ADV and an amazing difference. Question, is the plunger sticking out of the top part supposed to retract into the upper body of the unit? I now have a nickle's worth of a gap between the upper and lower half, Is that right?

Further, when I separated the two halves, there was no fluid at all and neither side was even wet. I rode it for about five miles and "dove" the front end a few times just to test. When I got home there were no leaks, no fluid anywhere. Sooo, the question is, Why did I need to drill a hole in the nickle?

 

[Lee H. Mann]

I added the nickle to the ADV and an amazing difference. Question, is the plunger sticking out of the top part supposed to retract into the upper body of the unit? I now have a nickle's worth of a gap between the upper and lower half, Is that right?

Further, when I separated the two halves, there was no fluid at all and neither side was even wet. I rode it for about five miles and "dove" the front end a few times just to test. When I got home there were no leaks, no fluid anywhere. Sooo, the question is, Why did I need to drill a hole in the nickle?

Because, in order for you to get the motorcycle (trike) to ride like you wanted, all you had to do was to break a Federal Law.:Joker3:

[h=1]18 U.S.C. § 333 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 18. Crimes and Criminal Procedure § 333. Mutilation of national bank obligations[/h]

 

[controlu]

Because, in order for you to get the motorcycle (trike) to ride like you wanted, all you had to do was to break a Federal Law.:Joker3:

Well now, thank you for your 5 cents worth. I have no idea how that is supposed to help but ...