Wanting to build front forks for my bike

joedrum · Feb 10, 2019

There’s been a lot done in the area of changing gl 1000 forks to othe bike setups ...sport bike set ups and so on ...but most seem to lower the oldwing ...I don’t see this as good at all ...the rake and trail setup is already bad in my opinion ...lower makes it worse I’m thinking .....I’m thinking the old time leading link set up like on trikes is hard to beat...as for being stout and also simplistic as in the parts used ...I could care less about looks ...as of now I’m just looking to get feedback and disgust all possibilities and if someone has and trike setup for wing ...I wouldn’t mind buying one ... :thanks:

pidjones · Feb 10, 2019

Well, they make trike triple trees for 1500 and 1800s. I hear that it is definitely not the good setup for two-wheelers however. They are made for easier trike steering. I would think that the best setup for a 1000 or 1100 would be some kind of cartridge emulator.

dan filipi · Feb 10, 2019

I have zero knowledge in this area other than susie told me once that leading link is BAD! for 2 wheel. She’s got a lifetime of seat time and being involved in some way or another with sidecars, so I trust her insite. Choose wisely, and be careful what others suggest on the internet sites. IMO, about 90% is BS or imagined.
I can put you in touch with Susie if you want.

joedrum · Feb 10, 2019

Hmmmmm I really don’t know much on that issue maybe it’s not good for two wheels

Rednaxs60 · Feb 11, 2019

Joe - lots of info out there regarding changing the front forks to other variants.

Here are some sites to look at:

https://www.goldwingforum.nl/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15099
https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... front+fork
https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... front+fork
https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... rk+upgrade

Happy reading.

Cheers

Two85s · Feb 12, 2019

Joe, I have though of building a leading-link for my sidecar rig. The main reason to go this way is to reduce trail but if set up right they can work with any number of wheels.
At one time BMW made a LL that was adjustable for use with or without a sidecar.

joedrum · Feb 12, 2019

Thanks 85 ..I was thinking set up right it would work for two wheels

joedrum · Feb 19, 2019

Did my first road trip with the bike and new motor bike ran perfect ...perfect idle all the time ..about 700 miles put on the bike...bike stayed cool as in motor temp always loving the set up ...the negative is I’m still not liking the front end ...got to get this bike better

mcgovern61 · Feb 20, 2019

.the negative is I’m still not liking the front end ...

Joe, what exactly is it that you do not like?

joedrum · Feb 20, 2019

It is not handling road irregularities very well ...I’m thinking forks in front and rear shocks all need updated to better stuff ...and I must admit nothing is up to par as in stock stuff ..so I’m really trying to decide witch way to go to fix things

Bzrut · Jul 31, 2019

Hi, list, new here I have the 1982 Aspencade GL1100 and a 1981 GL500 Silverwing. can anyone tell me is the front forks on these bikes are the same? thanks.

joedrum · Jul 31, 2019

I’m not sure ...probably close ....springs and tube size might be different ..look at brakes ...measure lengths ...

GTC@MSAC · Jul 31, 2019

[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=211596#p211596:3nngcve7 said:
Bzrut » 31 Jul 2019, 18:30[/url]":3nngcve7]
Hi, list, new here I have the 1982 Aspencade GL1100 and a 1981 GL500 Silverwing. can anyone tell me is the front forks on these bikes are the same? thanks.

The Gl1100 Upper Tube Diameter is 39mm, and the GL500 Upper Tube Diameter is 35mm, I just measured them. :read: So, I would have to say no, they are not the same. :nea:

Bzrut · Jul 31, 2019

Thanks, guys they do look the same.

GTC@MSAC · Jul 31, 2019

Progressive Front Spring Set and All-Balls Fork Seal Kit should suffice. Bike-Bandit has both w/free shipping! Did mine in May of 2017.
https://www.bikebandit.com/aftermarket- ... 0i/m151778

Bzrut · Jul 31, 2019

How difficult was it to replace springs and seals, also did you used the tops with the air hose. Thanks

GTC@MSAC · Jul 31, 2019

Well, that is a loaded question, lol! With my experience, it wasn't difficult at all. If you have never done any forks at all, you might find the seal job a bit challenging. Yes, I always re-assemble the forks like factory with the air hoses and caps. The old springs are 2-piece, and you will discard both pieces. There will be noticeable spring pressure when removing the top caps. The replacement Progressive Springs are one-piece and a bit shorter than the factory 2-piece set, but don't be concerned. That will actually make re-assembly of the top caps easier, and they are much stiffer when the forks actually try to compress. You will notice an immediate height increase in the front end that will not bottom out on hard bumps, either!

GTC@MSAC · Jul 31, 2019

[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=211613#p211613:3xrlvp6l said:
Bzrut » 31 Jul 2019, 23:51[/url]":3xrlvp6l]
How difficult was it to replace springs and seals, also did you used the tops with the air hose. Thanks

If you will get the parts, we can set up a time or a way that I can help walk you through both procedures. Once you do one fork, the second one will be easier just because you will see what you are actually accomplishing with the 1st one. The same goes for the rear shock rebuild as well!
-Graves-

FlipFlop · Aug 1, 2019

Mine on the 1977 were easy and straight forward, no issues. The problems on any forks is when you get a bolt stuck and or broke off or striped. I had an EX500 that one of the bolts that hold the cartridge in the head striped. That set of forks were a nightmare. Key behind doing forks and having them come out right is making sure you have the proper tools a good work space and an excellent way to clean everything and making sure the fork oil is exactly the same amount in both side and properly put back together. It only sounds difficult and scary because so few riders touch their forks, and when they do they do not understand what they are doing.

Disclaimer: I have never done inverted forks but on all 14 of my bikes I have owned I have done every single one of them, except the R1 because it was one of the few bikes I bought new and sold before it even needed a thought on servicing.

Wanting to build front forks for my bike

Help Support Classic Goldwings:

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!