1800 Suspension: Bushings, Fork Springs, Fork Seals

[Chicago-Spike]

Shock Bushings

Gary's Shock Bushings
Replaces Honda part #52489-MW3-305.
This item is sold by Gary Eckermann directly, do not call Rattlebars
Rattlebars is not associated with Gary but this is such a good product, we dedicated this page.
Ready to plug and play!
Fits Honda Valkyrie, VTX, and Shadow stock shocks top and bottom
Bad shock bushings can cause more than a rough ride, they may contribute to "wobble" or high/low speed weaving..

Bushings shown on Valk and VTXhttp://www.rattlebars.com/cart/bushings.jpg
These bushings are manufactured by fellow Valkyrie enthusiast Gary Eckermann to exacting standards from LF-1800a Uniroyal 90A polyurethane. Some features include - the material is quite a bit harder than the OEM rubber, it still gives, but not like the rubber part - made to the same dimensions as the shock eye. These will give your Valkyrie or VTX a real boost. Normally, on VALKYRIES only the top bushings on each shock need replaced so you'll need one pair. This is option 1 in the Paypal payment. On the VTX, both bottom and top go quickly (the picture shows a bad OEM bottom bushing after only 4,000 miles) so check and see if you need to order two sets. Both the top and bottom on both bikes are the same. to buy all 4 bushings, use option 2 in the Paypal payment button.
Gary says: "Polyurethane bushings have been in use for quite a while. They are popular among sports cars enthusiasts, hot rodders, and have many industrial uses. I chose a high grade of polyurethane, often spec'd for military use. It is harder than the OEM rubber, but still damps out jarring. Riders have put many thousands of miles on these, and I have yet to see any with visible wear."
HOW TO ORDER: (do not call Rattlebars)
Sold in pairs, for replacement of all four bushings, get two sets! Add $2.00 shipping no matter how many sets you order.
Send a personal check or money order with $2.00 shipping plus $15.00 per pair of bushings to :
Gary Eckermann
311 N Gardner
Burlington, Wa 98233 (360)757-8886
http://www.rattlebars.com/cart/bushings.html

If you need, you can print these installation instructions:

There's not much to this, but a couple things will make your job easier. If
you can put the bike on a lift, it will take the load off the tire and relax
the shock. You can pull the top shock mount without removing the bottom.
When you install the new bushing, it is easier if you lube it. You can use
any lube you like, but I prefer silicone spray. Put the bushing on the shock
mount, then slip the shock over the bushing. Put your seat back on, and
you're ready to ride!

I took a few pics as we did it:
Jack up bike & remove shock;
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/Fossil-not/Bikes/VTXBushings1.jpg

Tap out old bushing with socket.
Heat eye;
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/Fossil-not/Bikes/VTXBushings3.jpg

White grease eye & tap in new bushing with plastic face hammer;
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/Fossil-not/Bikes/VTXBushings4.jpg

Slightly compress shock with ratchet strap & reinstall, drawing shock onto shaft with mounting bolts;
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/Fossil-not/Bikes/VTXBushings5.jpg

Finished. Centered in eye;
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/Fossil-not/Bikes/VTXBushings6.jpg

Time to roadtest!! http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

Author: Fossil (Not)

Made in USA

[Chicago-Spike]

Replacing fork springs on a VTX 1800

This is a detailed write-up on the differences in available fork springs for the VTX and the installation procedure itself.
http://www.bareasschoppers.com/forksprings (http://www.bareasschoppers.com/forksprings)

Last update: 2008-08-03 01:38
Author: Bareass

[Chicago-Spike]

Changing fork seals on a 1800

Go to http://bareasschoppers.com/forksprings/ (http://bareasschoppers.com/forksprings/) and follow the instructions on tear down once you get to that point with a small screw driver pry the wiper seal down from the fork and un-clip the clip, then remove the fork from the trees (you should have already removed the front wheel and fender). Empty the oil from the fork and then slap the fork tube from the slider you will know when it comes apart http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif Then your going to look at how the seal is installed remember look at it twice take a picture if you have to. Then remove the upper bearing slider and all the rest of parts and seals.

Clean the fork leg good tape the sharp points off like in the picture and apply a thin coat of new oil.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/a426fan/bike/IMG_1197.jpg

Then install the new components

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/a426fan/bike/IMG_1205.jpg

Make sure to install the seal the same way your old one came out. (note the mfg instructions say to put wording up,well they use these seals on regular forks as well as inverted ones they should just have said wording out)

Then put your fork tube back on,

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/a426fan/bike/IMG_1198.jpg

Then drive the seal in. I cut a 2" PVC coupler in half and it was about perfect.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/a426fan/bike/IMG_1251.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i210/a426fan/bike/IMG_1252.jpg

Easy way without slamming your fork foot down on it is to invert the fork and just use firm pressure on the seal driver and it will slide in home. Make sure the clip is seated if not you will have to push more. then just push the dust seal down.

Then fill the fork with oil (you should really read the manual on these instructions)

Then follow Bares instructions to button it up

Author: X'N

[btalon]

I did my fork seals and the 2" coupler was too big, I used the fix below to solve that problem, later I went and got a 1 1/2" coupler and it fit like the one your talking in the write up. If you don't have the right one, it's easy to fix, put the coupler in your oven for about 10-15 minutes at 200 degrees, use gloves and take it out and immediately put it around the fork tube and hold it tight, it will mold to the tube and fit perfectly, you just have to cut a little excess off, so they fit together snug around the tube.

[Gary1945]

Just ordered 2 pair of his bushings and paid through PayPal. Mine are for sure about shot. PO added a pair of Saddleman look like leather bags. They both have a galvanized bracket attached to bottom of shock on both sides. The bolts used,one is a rusty allen and the other looks to be a larger head allen in stainless. Im gonna try and get some that match and that will tighten up as they are not. Thanks for the info on the bushings.:cool: