Fork Top Issue — no valve, no hex!

[phlaug]

I have never worked on these forks previously. So I do not know if this is his things were when I bought it or after a guy serviced it. But imagine my surprise when I pulled the dust cover and there was neither the Schraeder valve nor the hex bolt!

My question is How to proceed? Find a bolt that fits and just close off the top? How can I tell if it was one that should have had the valve and if so does anyone have the part number?

[MikeB]

Whoever worked on the forks before neglected to put the Schrader valves back in place. I'm surprised it's not spitting oil everywhere.

You will need to each of these,
51456-469-013
VALVE, AIR
and
91305-323-000
O-RING (5.8X1.9)

I also recommend that you get a Honda service manual for your specific motorcycle.

[phlaug]

Thank you, Mike.

The forks were leaking elsewhere (hence the rebuild) so maybe there wasn’t enough to come out.

However, perhaps there is another explanation. When I first got the caps off I took an air hose and put it down into the threaded area that would receive the Schrader. No air went through, blow back only. Same from underneath.

So these black plugs seem solid. And perhaps there’s just supposed to be a cap to back them up?

[MikeB]

This is a bit confusing. With fork caps like these, the black plastic cover screws onto the Schrader valve and that is how it stays in place. How did your black plastic covers stay put?

The fork caps could have been modified by the previous owner. The Schrader valves are not necessary if you do not intend to add air. Air is not recommended by Progressive Suspensions if you use Progressive springs. So they may have been removed and plugs installed instead.

By the way, your first photo shows the caps with what looks like an open hole and that is why I was saying it is odd that you did not have oil everywhere.

[phlaug]

Yes, I should have taken a pic with one cap in each direction.

There are Progressive springs so that sounds like the rationale. Still feel like a metal screw backing up that black rubber plug would be more prudent.

Thanks for all the info — this site is the best!

[MikeB]

I'd stick a Schrader valve back in those holes if I were you.