fork springs help.
- Johnf1059
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:38 am
- Location: Junction city, Ohio USA
- Motorcycle: 1994 Honda Goldwing GL1500 Interstate
fork springs help.
How much tension are on the stock fork springs on a 1500. Has no air fitting on top. Is it doable on the bike? Do I need a press to put them back in? Thanks.
Anything goes when everything's gone!
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9087
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: fork springs help.
My 88...I made a "tool" and marked the thread start point..I stood on the seat and really leaned into it (180lb) to compress the spring enough to be able to start the cap back on..Glad I had to do that just once.
There's instructions on "how to" make your own tool.
There's instructions on "how to" make your own tool.
- Johnf1059
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:38 am
- Location: Junction city, Ohio USA
- Motorcycle: 1994 Honda Goldwing GL1500 Interstate
Re: fork springs help.
Dang! Was hoping there wasn’t that much tension on them. Ok thanks for the reply!
Anything goes when everything's gone!
- Erdeniz Umman
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:33 am
- Location: Ankara Turkey
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE
Re: fork springs help.
I am not sure the model differences between the years, but on my 2000 model bike, I hadn't experienced such a tension.
Just jack up the front tire to extend the forks and then remove the top nut.
After removing the top nut you can drill and tap it for an Allen bolt.
Just jack up the front tire to extend the forks and then remove the top nut.
After removing the top nut you can drill and tap it for an Allen bolt.
Last edited by Erdeniz Umman on Mon Oct 21, 2019 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9087
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: fork springs help.
I had my front wheel up as well.Stock springs extended about 4" above the tube.It was a balancing act to get it compressed..lining up on the thread marker and then carefully turn it a half rotation to catch the thread without cross threading it.Glad I only had to do it once.
I also drilled and tapped it for easy oil change.
And the first one I removed...I wasn't prepared for it....it hit the ceiling and disappeared under the bench.
I also drilled and tapped it for easy oil change.
And the first one I removed...I wasn't prepared for it....it hit the ceiling and disappeared under the bench.
- Johnf1059
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:38 am
- Location: Junction city, Ohio USA
- Motorcycle: 1994 Honda Goldwing GL1500 Interstate
Re: fork springs help.
Would you recommend taking the forks off the bike or leave them on? I just had the forks off to rebuild them. My book says the left fork takes 10.9 fl oz and the right takes 10.8 fl oz. after putting them back on the front forks bottom out when hitting a bump. There is no air fittings on them. What yas think? not enough oil perhaps? I did not take the springs out when I rebuilt them.
Anything goes when everything's gone!
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9087
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: fork springs help.
I've done them both ways.Its just a bit harder to get the clip off to pull the lowers with them on the bike.I use a split PVC coupler to tap the new seal into place.
Either way you absolutely must follow the reinstall steps and torque settings.
The last consideration is replacing the oil unless the top cap has a opening for that.
Either way you absolutely must follow the reinstall steps and torque settings.
The last consideration is replacing the oil unless the top cap has a opening for that.
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9087
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: fork springs help.
By the way..There a "how to" in the GL1500 section on rebuilding your front forks.
- ct1500
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:09 pm
- Location: Glastonbury,CT
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500
- Contact:
Re: fork springs help.
Simplest way to replace fork caps is off the bike. Have an assistant hold upright with upper extended and slider resting on floor. With appropriate socket, extension and ratchet bear straight down on cap compressing spring until touching upper threaded portion, then have assistant turn tube engaging threads of cap. 
If in-bike stand on passenger footrests leaning forward with appropriate length socket extension and ratchet under you
.
A paint mark made on tube and cap with springs removed where threads start to engage will aid installation.

If in-bike stand on passenger footrests leaning forward with appropriate length socket extension and ratchet under you

A paint mark made on tube and cap with springs removed where threads start to engage will aid installation.
Local and need repair help with your 1500, Valkyrie or ST please click contact
Nothing leaves my shop till its' perfect
This is what I do
Nothing leaves my shop till its' perfect
This is what I do
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21591
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: fork springs help.
The springs on my 2000 SE also were sticking out a good four or five inches after the caps were removed. I would not want to try to push them in by hand while threading on that (very fine, easily cross-threaded) cap at the same time.
See the tool I used here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=16118
See the tool I used here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=16118
- Erdeniz Umman
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:33 am
- Location: Ankara Turkey
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE
Re: fork springs help.
I think the difference is because of some changes or modifications made during the years.
My 2000 model bike has the piece #5 in the picture.
My 2000 model bike has the piece #5 in the picture.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: fork springs help.
I have used a speed handle on several occasions to remove and install the fork caps on my GL1500.
There is a post on fork oil replacement on this board from February of 2018 that may be helpful.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41243&hilit
There is a post on fork oil replacement on this board from February of 2018 that may be helpful.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41243&hilit
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2019 1:08 pm
- Location: United States
- Motorcycle: 1999 Triumph Trophy 1200, 1996 GL1500, 1986 GL1200
Re: fork springs help.
Just replaced my seals and bushings off the bike and in a vise. I could hold down on the cap by hand and unscrew/screw the tube. Mine are original springs and measured within specs. I put the caliper bracket in the vise and pulled up on the fork tube. With the legs extended there shouldn't be 4" sticking out of the tube, maybe an inch to inch and a half.
Always learning, still stupid though 

- MikeB
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: fork springs help.
I agree. That has been y experience as well.cabinover wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:32 pmJust replaced my seals and bushings off the bike and in a vise. I could hold down on the cap by hand and unscrew/screw the tube. Mine are original springs and measured within specs. I put the caliper bracket in the vise and pulled up on the fork tube. With the legs extended there shouldn't be 4" sticking out of the tube, maybe an inch to inch and a half.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21591
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: fork springs help.
I should have mentioned that when changing my springs, I have PROGRESSIVE springs in my forks, not OEM. There is no spacer, and they stick out the top quite a bit.
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2019 1:08 pm
- Location: United States
- Motorcycle: 1999 Triumph Trophy 1200, 1996 GL1500, 1986 GL1200
Re: fork springs help.
That will certainly make a large difference. I need to try them someday.
Always learning, still stupid though 

- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1414
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: fork springs help.
Bike on center stand …. or trike …. supported by jack with wide plywood plate under front of motor so frt wheel off floor, use a 1/2 inch drive speed wrench and have a 24" long piece of 2x4 with a 1/2" deep recess drilled with a forstner bit dead center. 2x4 across my chest, speed wrench top end in recess, me standing on rider pegs, socket on cap. Cap has a hole dead center for air, I remove it and drop phillips screw driver end into hole, into spring, cap stays on spring. Lean over fork tube and press with upper body, two hands free to deal with wrenching.MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:08 pmI have used a speed handle on several occasions to remove and install the fork caps on my GL1500.
There is a post on fork oil replacement on this board from February of 2018 that may be helpful.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41243&hilit
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