Springer front end
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
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From: Fairfax VA
Springer front end
My son bought an 09 Crossbones practically brand new from the dealer in 2010. It probably has about 4 thousand miles on it now. From day one we noticed almost no travel in the front end. When you push up and down on it it barely moves. We just assumed that is the way springer front ends are.
But, . . The other day I was at the dealer and sat on a Softail Springer. I pushed up and down on the font end and it moved up and down just like any other front end would do with modern tubes. I am assuming the Crossbones and the Softail Springer have the same front end. Any thoughts on why the Crossbones barely moves???? Is it adjustable????
But, . . The other day I was at the dealer and sat on a Softail Springer. I pushed up and down on the font end and it moved up and down just like any other front end would do with modern tubes. I am assuming the Crossbones and the Softail Springer have the same front end. Any thoughts on why the Crossbones barely moves???? Is it adjustable????
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
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From: Richmond, VA
I agree with hspring03. They are not the maintenence free forks many think they are. The rockers as well as the steering head needs anual maintenence and adjustment. Its all in the manual, but any dealer can perform it as well. Once set up right, a Springer will ride quite nice.
I had that same problem a month ago. It definitely needs to be adjusted and also had to replace a bushing because after adjusting everything it locks up again...becomes rigid after applying the front brakes.
My son bought an 09 Crossbones practically brand new from the dealer in 2010. It probably has about 4 thousand miles on it now. From day one we noticed almost no travel in the front end. When you push up and down on it it barely moves. We just assumed that is the way springer front ends are.
But, . . The other day I was at the dealer and sat on a Softail Springer. I pushed up and down on the font end and it moved up and down just like any other front end would do with modern tubes. I am assuming the Crossbones and the Softail Springer have the same front end. Any thoughts on why the Crossbones barely moves???? Is it adjustable????
But, . . The other day I was at the dealer and sat on a Softail Springer. I pushed up and down on the font end and it moved up and down just like any other front end would do with modern tubes. I am assuming the Crossbones and the Softail Springer have the same front end. Any thoughts on why the Crossbones barely moves???? Is it adjustable????
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 333
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From: southern Alberta Canada
I agree with hspring03. They are not the maintenence free forks many think they are. The rockers as well as the steering head needs anual maintenence and adjustment. Its all in the manual, but any dealer can perform it as well. Once set up right, a Springer will ride quite nice.
My bike is a 1995 and I have the factory service manual, and seeing as how the book says it needs to be done every 16,000 km (about 10,000 miles} it seems to me like something it would be good for me to learn how to do.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
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From: Fairfax VA
I Googled springer rocker adjustment and there is a lot of info out there. It appears that the springer front ends require a lot of periodic adjustment and maintenance that we were not aware of. I still find it hard to believe that the lower rocker adjustment could be so tight that there is almost no suspension travel at all. You would think that the weight of the bike would overpower a tight bushing at the pivot point.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Centennial, CO
Being a machinist, I'm not surprised at all something like a springer front end would lock up by being just a little out of adjustment or past a maintenance schedule.
Beakerztoyz, the left side is as you're sitting on it. The primary side.
Beakerztoyz, the left side is as you're sitting on it. The primary side.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,493
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From: Belgium
When I sit on the bike, lock the front brake and push/pull on the handle bar, I get maybe 1/2 inch (if that much) movement either way. Not at all like on the FXRs I used to have.
However when I ride the bike there is plenty of movement and the ride is smooth -- and living where I live some of the roads are not in great shape. I was actually thinking my front was too loose because it sometimes bottoms out when I use a heavy hand on the front brake.
So question is, before you rip into the front end, does the bike ride fine over irregularities in the road?
For all you know the bike you sat on in the shop was set too loose.
However when I ride the bike there is plenty of movement and the ride is smooth -- and living where I live some of the roads are not in great shape. I was actually thinking my front was too loose because it sometimes bottoms out when I use a heavy hand on the front brake.
So question is, before you rip into the front end, does the bike ride fine over irregularities in the road?
For all you know the bike you sat on in the shop was set too loose.
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Jan 21, 2010 04:48 AM