Gl1800 front fork banging
- 1985GL1200
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2014 5:08 pm
- Location: Wessington Springs SD
- Motorcycle: 1998 Gl1500SE
1999 Yamaha Roadstar Silverado
2005 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
Gl1800 front fork banging
Hi everyone, is there a way to check the oil in my front forks on my 2005 GL1800? When I had my 1998 GL1500, there was a given measurement from the top of the tube to the oil. I think at some point in it life I feel like the oil has leaked out. When I ride it seems to hit top and bottom limits to easily. This does have a Roadsmith trike kit and back seems to be really stiff, but that's another question for another time. We just purchased this unit and have a lot of questions.
- Mountain rider
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 9:03 pm
- Location: Rigby, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2003 Goldwing 1800
Re: Gl1800 front fork banging
Assuming it has the stock forks and springs, if you pull the fork tube off the trike and remove the top cap and the main spring, with the tube fully collapsed, standing upright, it should be 5" from the tube top to where it contacts the oil. Depending on how many miles are on it, the springs may be worn out and need replacing. You can get a fork rebuild set with seals, wiper seals, bushings, and I believe new copper seals for the drain bolts on the bottom, for about $114 from WingStuff, and a set of Progressive springs for about $100. Throw in some Belray 10wt fork oil and you should be set. Or, a better way to go would be to replace the fork guts with a set of Progressive Monotubes along with the new seals, bushings, and some Beray 10wt fork oil. That makes a world of difference.
SFC, U.S. Army Artillery, Retired
Now, fully retired
Now, fully retired
- 1985GL1200
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2014 5:08 pm
- Location: Wessington Springs SD
- Motorcycle: 1998 Gl1500SE
1999 Yamaha Roadstar Silverado
2005 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
Re: Gl1800 front fork banging
Sounds like a winter project, was hoping to be able to check the oil levels without disassembling the front forks. Thanks a bunch for the advice, I really appreciate it.