About Progressive springs and Valkyrie Forks

[Yogi]

Just got my first of about 6 shipments from Hal and it was my new Progressive Fork springs. I was reading the instructions and it says I need a special tool to do this. Is this true? Maybe a stupid question, but I've seen on several occasions on other Hondas where I needed the special tool and it turned out to be a deep well socket. :x

I haven't got my service manual yet, or I may be able to answer this myself :wink: that's probably shipment 2 or three.

[shftr]

there is a link, (somewhere), about how to make the tool, or maybe someone will lone you one. :D

[laborman]

Yogi, I too ordered the Progressive springs and plan to change them out on my Tourer. Let me know what you run into on changing them. I assume you will removed your forks and change the oil too????? Send me a detailed description of what you do so I'll know what to look for. I'm not too fond of "wrenching", so this should give me a heck of a challenge.

[TinMan]

Watched Progressive do mine at the Hoot. They did remove the forks, and used a tool that kinda looked like a socket with cut-outs around the edge. You will not believe the difference after they are in! :yes: The ride is a lot smoother.

[LaMonster]

This might help.
http://www.rattlebars.com/vtx/forktools.html
http://www.rattlebars.com/vtx/forktool.jpg

[Rocket]

No, I don't think I have the capability of making one. :D At least, not until I buy my new milling machine.

[Michael P.]

Hide the women and children, lock your doors and board up your windows, Laborman is going to get out the :tools1: . :o4: Hey Jack, watch out for them there torque wrenches. :cus:

[laborman]

Hide the women and children, lock your doors and board up your windows, Laborman is going to get out the :tools1: . :o4: Hey Jack, watch out for them there torque wrenches. :cus:

Ya' know what BUDDY!!!! With friends like you, I don't need any enemies..........HA!HA! Torque wrench....what's a torque wrench. Hey, I threw one of them away. Bought it at Harbor Frieght tools, tried it on Speed Bleeders, stripped one RIGHT OFF, and caught a severe case of the R.A.s. :x Walked out to the street, took the piece of crap torque wrench in my hand, threw it down several times, then in the garbage. :evil: I ain't got a clue what the heck I'm going to try to do with changing springs on the forks. But, if I don't get it back together in time, heck, I want make it to Maggie Valley or to South Dakota. Just a little incentive. :oops: Ya' just never know...I might have to FLY SOMEONE IN just to fix it for me........

[Fuzzy]

I just ordered the tool that Lamont posted a picture of. Thats the tool for the left fork tube. I'm gonna make the tool for the right fork tube.
When I get mine changed out there are 3 more for me to do. Not sure how fast I can get them all finished.
When I'm done with all of them I would be glad to send the tools on to those that need them for just the postage both ways.

[SteveR]

I changed to progessive springs last year, got that special tool your wondering about. I'll let you use it if you want. I'm just south of Lancaster Pa :D

[Yogi]

No, I don't think I have the capability of making one. :D At least, not until I buy my new milling machine.

Now wait a minute. I didn't even get a change to ask yet :lol:

I might take 'em down to Jimmy and let him do it. I got a new tire to get put on the rim too!

It's like Christmas Got another box of diddies last night. Fed-Ex says that I should have two more boxes today. :pepper1:

[Britman]

http://www.rattlebars.com/vtx/forktools.html

[Yogi]

Yogi, I too ordered the Progressive springs and plan to change them out on my Tourer. Let me know what you run into on changing them. I assume you will removed your forks and change the oil too????? Send me a detailed description of what you do so I'll know what to look for. I'm not too fond of "wrenching", so this should give me a heck of a challenge.

I have the forks pulled....And the tank, seats, fenders, radiator, lights, bags, wheels, tires,......Ummm When's Maggie Valley? I'm gonna try and make the tool. Shouldn't be too big of a deal providing I can get Rocket to weld the piece on the end of the pipe. YOU CAN DO THAT CAN'T YOU?? :P

Seriously tho' I'll let you know, I'll probably get around to it this weekend.

[laborman]

I have the forks pulled....And the tank, seats, fenders, radiator, lights, bags, wheels, tires,......Ummm When's Maggie Valley? I'm gonna try and make the tool. Shouldn't be too big of a deal providing I can get Rocket to weld the piece on the end of the pipe. YOU CAN DO THAT CAN'T YOU?? :P

Seriously tho' I'll let you know, I'll probably get around to it this weekend.


OHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOO! Ya' mean I gotta pull the seat? the tank? both fenders? the radiator? the bags and both wheels????? Well, looks like I'm gonna keep the springs I have in the forks and ride around with dirty oil in them too. HEY MICHAEL P. - wanna sell me your Valk? I could use the changed springs, the new oil, the chromed forks, etc.

THIS IS GONNA BE BIG!!!!!!!!!

[Michael P.]

:o4: :hun1:

[Chili Pepper]

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/forksprings.htm

This is the easy way to do it if you don't need or care to do a full fork spring rebuild (seals and whatnot). You need a good solid lift and a floor jack as well as the aforementioned special tool and two others as well. The other I put together with a piece of 1/2 inch round tube stock from the local Ace hardware and a 10 mm bolt( the coarser thread..very like a 3/8', in fact you can fudge it with a 3/8 but use a 10 mm) with the head cut off, thinned that end off a tad with a belt sander and had a friend silver-solder it into the end of the 1/2" tube. Beyond that you will need a coat hanger for a fish hook...no, really :lol: Hey if I can do it you can do it.

An amusing aside...I took an old metal tool box with the lid off and screwed it to the floor jack so when I took the tension off the springs (jacked up the front end) the tire was sitting in the box and the front end wouldn't flop to the side.

Chili Pepper

[Yogi]

I have the forks pulled....And the tank, seats, fenders, radiator, lights, bags, wheels, tires,......Ummm When's Maggie Valley? I'm gonna try and make the tool. Shouldn't be too big of a deal providing I can get Rocket to weld the piece on the end of the pipe. YOU CAN DO THAT CAN'T YOU?? :P

Seriously tho' I'll let you know, I'll probably get around to it this weekend.


OHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOO! Ya' mean I gotta pull the seat? the tank? both fenders? the radiator? the bags and both wheels????? Well, looks like I'm gonna keep the springs I have in the forks and ride around with dirty oil in them too. HEY MICHAEL P. - wanna sell me your Valk? I could use the changed springs, the new oil, the chromed forks, etc.

THIS IS GONNA BE BIG!!!!!!!!!

Wait a minute.... you mean I didn't have to pull all that off to change dem springs?? Wait'll I get hold of that mechanic. :twisted:

Naaaa jus kiddn' The Beast is just gettin' a total makeover. She's still gonna be Black tho' since it is the fastest color and Gary took my idea for flames with red tips. :wink:
Guess I should post some pics. I finished detailing the back wheel last night. Still waiting on some stuff from Hal. I'll bet he's a busy guy right about now. :clap2:

[Rocket]

Shouldn't be too big of a deal providing I can get Rocket to weld the piece on the end of the pipe. YOU CAN DO THAT CAN'T YOU?? :P

Seriously tho' I'll let you know, I'll probably get around to it this weekend.


I guess I can do that for you, just quit yer whining!! :D

[SteveR]

Drop it in the mail today, You'll like the new springs :D