Fork spring question
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,857
Likes: 17,908
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC
Have the steering head bearings been checked?
That has been something that needs messing with on mine more often than I would like. Not often, but more often than they should.
Thread Starter
|
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
The torque is good on the nut and the handle bars move back and forth smoothly.
I don't think he has a problem there.
I don't think he has a problem there.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Good question. However with a high mileage and with what we know I'm inclined to suggest chucking them in a bin and replacing with new. Use matched single-rate springs such as Race Tech and get back more fork travel. Set sag at the correct level, bearing in mind most if not all aftermarket springs are shorter than stock and will require apacers.
Thread Starter
|
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
UPDATE:
He took it for a ride today and the clunks are gone!!!!!!!
My friend also noted how the front end is higher than it used to be and he will have to get used to the change.
He took it for a ride today and the clunks are gone!!!!!!!
My friend also noted how the front end is higher than it used to be and he will have to get used to the change.
Thread Starter
|
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
You have to have the spacer to get the ride height correct.
If you didn't have the spacer on your FLST then your frontend would be 3.25" shorter than it's supposed to be.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
Glad to hear. Sounds like what happened to mine, maybe mine wasn't sitting for as long a time as I thought to cause the springs to give up.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
That would have never occurred to me. I've had the same set of Progressive fork springs in my FLSTN for 22 years/200,000 miles and the ride height is just the same as when I installed them. Rides just as well, too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,092
Likes: 7,615
From: Poolville
Springs will collapse over time and not have the same rebound.
If you use the progressive set up you will have to use the spacer provided. They recommend 3" but i went with 3 1/2". love it...
As for the fork oil, you really should be replacing/changing as recommended @ 10k mile intervals. Sludge will build up and the dampers will not work as they should and will clunk. Always check the neck bearing fall away every 10k as well...
If you use the progressive set up you will have to use the spacer provided. They recommend 3" but i went with 3 1/2". love it...
As for the fork oil, you really should be replacing/changing as recommended @ 10k mile intervals. Sludge will build up and the dampers will not work as they should and will clunk. Always check the neck bearing fall away every 10k as well...