Front fork

[Barasneh]

I have a 1989 1500, I replaced the front and rear tires, and rear shocks. Now when I took on the freeway I felt like the front of the bike is warbling/unstable.
I’m thinking to change the oil on the front forks, but I’m afraid that I can’t put back the fork caps.
By the way the bike only has 18k and I don’t know if the forks oil have been changed in the past
Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Rambozo]

If it wasn't like that before you did the tires, I would look to see the front tire marking rib is concentric with the wheel and that it is properly balanced.
The fork caps can be tough to get started. I believe there is an article in the How-To section that will walk you through it.

[Barasneh]

Thanks for the info
I just bought the bike and didn’t ride it much before the upgrades so it’s hard to say if the issue is preexisting
I’ll ride it few more times and start with wheel balancing if needed as I did the balancing myself

[pontdog]

i don't know what you put for tires but i had put Shinko on the front and back and it was all over the road at 60mph after i took them off and put dunlop elite the problem went away now there are some others who put shinko and no problems i am telling you my own experiance

[Barasneh]

Thanks for your input
They are indeed Shinkos
Did you replace both of them?

[pontdog]

yes i did,and the shop gave me full credit towards the dunlops and they sold to someone else and they put them on a wing and no troubles that is the weird part but it cured my problem i have almost 10000 km on this summer and no wobbles or problems

[Barasneh]

Thanks again
I’ll replace them and see what happens

[paseandoconhonda]

I recently replaced the old oil in the front shocks, I simply removed the top plugs (put a stand under the engine) leaving the front wheel in the air. When removing, put a cloth because it can be expelled by the pressure of the spring, be careful with that. Then I put cheap shock absorber oil in it, just to clean it, and without putting the springs in, I covered the top part and with my hands I raised and lowered the wheel so that the oil could run, I emptied it and repeated the operation. Each time I did it it was with 250 cc on each side, then we removed and let it drain. The next day I put the correct Honda oil and with the help of a friend we were able to install the upper plugs, it was difficult, since the springs are about 10 cm longer and you have to compress them to screw them on, but it was possible.

[Barasneh]

Thanks for the feedback.
Replacing the fork oil was the first thing came to mind however I’m very worried that I can’t put the cap back.

Did you have to use special tools? Or any thing else to share about reinstalling the caps.

Thanks again

[paseandoconhonda]

Nothing special, just strength and the 17 mm tool, the longer the better, since I have a short one I added another one as a handle. Watch the video.



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[Rambozo]

A few folks have done it solo. It helps to fit the caps without the springs and mark them where the thread starts. I saw one guy who put a 2x4 across the back of his ratchet and used two ratchet straps to lash the 2x4 to the handlebars and compress the springs.

[paseandoconhonda]

Oh yes, there are also people who went directly to a mechanic. I only show my solution, I don't see anyone else here.

[Barasneh]

LOL
I truly enjoy doing the work myself.
I’m replacing the tire first then will change fork oil if needed

[paseandoconhonda]

I also really enjoy that, in fact I have several videos disassembling the GL 1500, but there are some things in which it is better to have someone's help, especially in those uncomfortable and narrow places. I trust the hands of a friend more than two pieces of wood. And yes, as Rambozo says, before placing the springs, mark where the thread of the plugs begins and then place them and start rotating from there.