Is it normal for the front fork to bottom out when im braking and i hit a bump? It seems to me that im losing fork oil or pressure in my forks. I recent rode from Ga to Ny and my forks were fine, I believe. Now theres only about 1 1/2 in of available fork travel with me on the bike. I dont see where the oil could be leaking from. Also it could be my imagination but while im riding i feel small amounts of liquid splattering on my face from time to time and its not wet out on the roads. thanks

 

If your fork seals are leaking, you should easily be able to see it (the oil) at the top of the fork lower where the slider tube goes into it.

The stock fork springs are also pretty weak and spring sag is common as they age. That is easily remedied by replacing them with a set of Progressive fork springs. Last I looked they ran about $100.00.

 

Thanks, i will pick up a set after i get back from my roadtrip. So the amount of available travel(1.5 inches) i have on my fork is too little right now? and i shouldnt be bottoming out? Will it be okay or me to ride from NY back to GA with the forks like that?

 

Sounds way too little to me.

Haven't measured, but the fork travel on my '08 1200 with 30K on it is way more than that.

That said, cHarley is right. Fork springs get tired. Getting a set of Progressive springs will do wonders. Pretty easy to install.

 

How much your springs are going to sag and whether or not they are going to bottom out is a function of how much weight you put on the bike. You'll have to make that decision yourself.

 

Thanks for all your help. I will pick up a set of new springs when i get back to GA. I dont have any tools or time to replace the springs here in NY.

 

Lol I get that wet drops feeling all the time on the driest of days. Always wondered myself why that is.

As far as your front springs go one thing to do first is to check and make sure the Phillips head screw at the bottom of your forks didn't come out. Those are the fork oil drains on pre 2008. If those are there and they are tight and your seals are good than you aren't leaking. Your fork oil is suppose to get changed at 10k miles. You may also want to look into aftermarket progressive fork springs for it they will improve your ride and handling considerbly for around 80$ and a half hour of your time. Or you can drain the fork oil and add a heavier weight which will lesson the dampening. I would go with the new springs, personally they made a huge difference for me.

 

im glad im not going crazy lol. Yeah the drain screws are on tight. I recently installed ricor intiminators and the forks were fine for a while until after my long ride to NY. Guess its new springs and spacers for me when i get back to GA, Thanks

 

Figure I'll post this here, since this information might help when you install your new springs.

I've been messing around with my replacement front fork springs by progressive # 11-1527. I can't seem to stop them from being to stiff/smacking hard on bigger bumps.

It came with a 3" spacer, some said it's way to stiff and to make that spacer shorter. I tried 1 1/2", that was far too short and the spring wouldn't function.

I then made a new spacer at 3 1/4, but now it's too stiff/jarring when hitting some bumps.

I guess my next attempt is 2 3/4 , or 2 1/2 ...

You can make a new spacer out of schedule 40 3/4 diameter pvc. Cut and sand to make sure they're flat and same size.

 

DAMPING** sorry, pet peave of mine