Slug spacers in front forks, Goldwing
I have a 2003 Goldwing with Champion Escort sidecar. The front end has the easy steer extension, car tire on rear. It runs and steers great. How ever, because of the easy steer the front end is lower than it should be. I would like to raise it back to the stock height. Can this be be done by inserting tube spacers at the top of the forks, or do I need to acquire new, longer fork tubes?
Sometimes I find myself on logging roads and the little extra clearance would be helpful.
Most "ez steer" type triple tree's come with spacers that thread into the top of your forks, perhaps these were not installed on your bike?
We do not have any GL1800's in the shop right now that we have done this to for you to be able to come by and look. We do have a GL1800 in the shop that early next year we will be changing the triple tree's.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
2328 Roosevelt AVE
Enumclaw WA
98022
jay@dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Had same problem with 1500. Fix it by replacing OEM springs with Progressive spring.
Help from anyone knowledgeable about the front end on Goldwing... I have a 1500 with hannigan set up that I bought used. it has a modified triple tree but I have no way of knowing what springs are there. I am having trouble with the front wheel hitting hard on rough roads to the extent it has broken both rotor covers at the bolts where they bolt on and the front part of the fender at the forks... is it possible the springs that are there are wore out and replacing them would help the problem?
shabelj - 11/16/2017 2:03 PM
I am having trouble with the front wheel hitting hard on rough roads
Do you think front suspension is too hard or too soft?
i think that the springs are bottoming out, so i guess that would mean they are maybe too soft.
If springs are bottoming out progressive springs will help.
If trees were installed there should be fork extenders and also springs installed. Hannigan supplies them and Champion should also.
Claude, that is what I was thinking... So can you think of a reason that the front end would be bottoming out so hard. it doesn't take much of a pot hole for it to really hit hard and like i said front end pieces keep breaking. Do you think it is possible for the progressive springs to be worn out and maybe need replaced? Or would you have any other suggestions?
low oil in the forks will make it soft and bottom out and can even make it snap back up and hit on the rebound, that would be almost a sharp snap feeling and would feel like you hit bottom
if you stand on the pegs and grab the front brake and bounce down and forward how much does it bounce
if it feels soft and drops way down and doesn't came back up good it's most likely low on oil
you really should have someone check it to see if it has stock springs, if so many of us are in agreement you should go to progressives or another good brand spring
and make sure it has the proper amount of oil in the forks
If the front end is bottoming out the springs are too soft and there is a fork oil issue Fork extensions as re also recommended whenever new trees are installed to reduce trail.
I am a little late in responding to this. I purchased my 1800 used with the sidecar already installed with the easy steer installed, but there are no spacers installed. It does have Progressive springs in the forks, they have the correct amount of fluid and fork action is good. My complaint is because there are no spacers the front end does sit a little lower than stock. I like the way it handles & steers as it is, and the question would be if spacers are installed at this time would this effect the the setup of the rig? If spacers would change the way it steers, then I will just leave it the way it is.
A little late to the party. I have found that linear springs are the way to go. You can get the spring rate according to the weight of the bike and your weight. I took the progressive springs out of the front of my 1500 and put linear springs in. Made the front end of the bike more firm and the bike handled much better. This wasn't on a rig, just a solo bike. They would work really well on a sidecar set up. These springs are under a $ 100. for a pair.
The difference between a progressive and a linear spring. The progressive has an initial soft sag and then as the weigh comes on it gets harder and harder. A progressive spring has closer coils at either one or both ends A linear springs coils are the same distance throughout. If 100 lbs compresses the linear spring 1 " then it will take another 100 lbs to compress it another 1" and so on. A progressive spring will give you a softer ride initially but then can bind up and give a harsh ride. A linear works the same throughout its length of travel and gives you more consistent handling.
Most if not all sidecar rigs need stiffer suspension components. When you consider the stock set up is for a 185 lb rider solo, there is no doubt they are too soft for any serious loads.
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