Extra spacer in Fork Tubes

[rhino65]

Replacing all the bushings, seals, oil in my 02 CSC Trike. Question is does CSC have an extra space that goes on bottom of stock OEM springs? Both my front forks have an extra spacer that's 1.5" tall. It's not in Honda's shop manual or any online parts microfish. Is this some kind of kit to increase the ride height for front by compressing the springs more?

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Replacing all the bushings, seals, oil in my 02 CSC Trike. Question is does CSC have an extra space that goes on bottom of stock OEM springs? Both my front forks have an extra spacer that's 1.5" tall. It's not in Honda's shop manual or any online parts microfish. Is this some kind of kit to increase the ride height for front by compressing the springs more?

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, simply raise the ride height, overcome weak springs. I have used PVC pipe to makeup for some weaker springs and restore to stock ride height. Those 1.5" spacers can go at the bottom of the spring to make it easier to assemble. If you have a raked triple tree you should consider fork tube extensions instead.

Theoretically the additional spacer on the top of the spring should compress the spring enough to give you the same lift as the spacer is tall. However you will lose rebound by that same amount. Adding fork tube extensions on top will let you increase ride height but not lose full dampening and rebound action. JMO:Shrug:

 

[rhino65]

Not trying to accomplish anything. Just wasn't expecting the extra 1.5" spacer in forks. I bought trike used a year ago so already in there. All back together now. Those extra spacers make it a workout getting fork caps back on

 

[Lee H. Mann]

(Headbang) you are welcome !

 

[Gold Rush]

Those extra spacers make it a workout getting fork caps back on

You bet they DO !! Us older gents have a hard enough time with the OEM springs only. I had a friend that used spacers. Took both of us to get his caps back on. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[FRR]

I took the spacers out of my Hannigan. The suspension was rough as a cob the way it was.

 

[Papa Zook]

Adding spacers to level a low front end is not the proper fix. The proper fix is to add a set of fork extensions to compensate for the additional rake. Every rake kit I sell comes with fork extensions, 1 inch extensions come with the 4 degree and 2 inch extensions come with the 6 degree. Why a dealer would not include and install extensions with their rake kits is a mystery to me, unless they just want to put a few extra bucks in their pocket. Adding internal spacers is also not a proper fix for sagging springs. Just replace the stock springs, they only cost around $50 a set for brand new oem springs.

 

[Bronson512]

Adding spacers to level a low front end is not the proper fix. The proper fix is to add a set of fork extensions to compensate for the additional rake. Every rake kit I sell comes with fork extensions, 1 inch extensions come with the 4 degree and 2 inch extensions come with the 6 degree. Why a dealer would not include and install extensions with their rake kits is a mystery to me, unless they just want to put a few extra bucks in their pocket. Adding internal spacers is also not a proper fix for sagging springs. Just replace the stock springs, they only cost around $50 a set for brand new oem springs.

PapaZook although in theory I like the idea of Fork extenders but I can’t get the 70’s out of my mind. Growing up and being around many motorcycles during the chopper era with extended forks. At that time the proper way to extend your front end for that chopper look was to buy longer tubes, the quick & cheap way was to buy fork extensions. It was reported in the magazines that many were having problems with extensions breaking, some with very tragic results.

PapaZook I would like to gain a little ground clearance but.....!

 

[Papa Zook]

PapaZook although in theory I like the idea of Fork extenders but I can’t get the 70’s out of my mind. Growing up and being around many motorcycles during the chopper era with extended forks. At that time the proper way to extend your front end for that chopper look was to buy longer tubes, the quick & cheap way was to buy fork extensions. It was reported in the magazines that many were having problems with extensions breaking, some with very tragic results.

PapaZook I would like to gain a little ground clearance but.....!

Dennis,

Probably 99% of the trike conversions on the road have fork extensions, which are machined from solid billet and simply will not break. Had there been a failure, I am sure we would have heard about it by now, but there is really nothing to fail. Add to that, if there had been any confirmed failures, liability concerns would prohibit manufacturers from building and selling rake kits with fork extensions as they would not take the risk of lawsuits. You have nothing at all to worry about.

 

[rhino65]

Got mine back together but on the first fork assembly I took apart I did not pay close enough attention to where the 1.5" spacer was. On the right side it was on bottom of spring so I installed the left side on bottom as well. Now the front is sitting roughly 1/2" higher than before. Is it possible that the left fork spacer needed to be on top of spring? Or is it just the old fork oil was 40,000 mile & 7 years old? Both fork tubes are even at top of triple tree

 

[Bronson512]

I’m assuming the fork extension screws in to the top of my current forks? I have a CSC with a rake kit but I don’t see or haven’t seen an added section. An I safe to assume the junction of the extension and the factory forks would be located between the upper & lower triple tree?

 

[Papa Zook]

I’m assuming the fork extension screws in to the top of my current forks? I have a CSC with a rake kit but I don’t see or haven’t seen an added section. An I safe to assume the junction of the extension and the factory forks would be located between the upper & lower triple tree?

Dennis, yes they do screw into the top of your forks, replacing the stock fork caps, the threaded part being roughly 3/4", so they are very well seated deep into the fork tubes. The extended tubes then slide up into the upper triple tree until they are flush with the top of the tree. Even using the longer 2" extensions, the joint is less than 1/2 inch below the bottom of the top triple tree so there is no stress or flexing of the joint. Again keep in mind, these extensions are machined from solid 60/61 billit aircraft grade aluminum that is 1 3/4 inches thick (45mm). There is no way they will ever fail.

 

[Gold Rush]

I’m assuming the fork extension screws in to the top of my current forks? I have a CSC with a rake kit but I don’t see or haven’t seen an added section. An I safe to assume the junction of the extension and the factory forks would be located between the upper & lower triple tree?

You assume correctly. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[Bronson512]

Fellows Thanks a bunch for for responses in helping ease my concerns somewhat. I did go to a couple of GoldWing/motorcycle parts and accessory sites but didn’t find any fork extensions. Is their a brand that tends to be the gold standard so to speak.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

GOOGLE search "gl1800 2" fork extensions"

https://www.google.com/search?q=gl1800+2"+fork+extensions&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[rhino65]

mjtrikes.com

 

[Papa Zook]

Fellows Thanks a bunch for for responses in helping ease my concerns somewhat. I did go to a couple of GoldWing/motorcycle parts and accessory sites but didn’t find any fork extensions. Is their a brand that tends to be the gold standard so to speak.

PM sent Dennis.

 

[Pegasus1300]

Back in the day if we needed extended forks we would get them from Forking by Frank. He would build beautiful forks to match your OEM forks only longer. He is still in business amazingly enough. Did good work back then.

http://franksforks.com/

On another note if you have Progressive Fork Springs,they frequently put a spacer in with their spring kits.

 

[Bronson512]

Back in the day if we needed extended forks we would get them from Forking by Frank. He would build beautiful forks to match your OEM forks only longer. He is still in business amazingly enough. Did good work back then.http://franksforks.com/

Thats a name from the past! If you wanted the best you bought Franks Forks or so everyone seemed to think.

Did they change hands and keep the name or move the company? For some reason I thought they were located in Paducah, Ky. I may be mistaken!

 

[Pegasus1300]

Family owned same people and still pretty much in the same area. Back in the day I bought all my replacement forks from them. They always fit right and they always worked right.