Progressive spring question

[farm1810]

I have read that one cannot change fork springs on a Venture without removing the forks. Is the same true of my RSTD? How do I easily change the fork oil?

[Squidley]

Rich,

 

Unless I'm grossly mistaken, you do not have to remove the forks to change the springs, or the oil in your RSTD. The RSV it is probably easier to pull the tubes as you would have to pull the outer and inner upper fairings to gain access to the tops of the tubes.

 

You "should" (and this is memory of how the RSTD forks are) be able to loosen the top of the triple tree and screw out the top retaining caps to access the springs. There should be a small phillips screw at the bottom of the fork tube that you can drain the oil from. The majority of the bikes I have worked on are like this. IMPORTANT remember to bleed off the air pressure before you take those screws out. If you dont you will have one hell of a mess when it sprays oil out under pressure

[Yammer Dan]

Rich,

 

Unless I'm grossly mistaken, you do not have to remove the forks to change the springs, or the oil in your RSTD. The RSV it is probably easier to pull the tubes as you would have to pull the outer and inner upper fairings to gain access to the tops of the tubes.

 

You "should" (and this is memory of how the RSTD forks are) be able to loosen the top of the triple tree and screw out the top retaining caps to access the springs. There should be a small phillips screw at the bottom of the fork tube that you can drain the oil from. The majority of the bikes I have worked on are like this. IMPORTANT remember to bleed off the air pressure before you take those screws out. If you dont you will have one hell of a mess when it sprays oil out under pressure

 

 

Drain all air and make sure you have weight off forks!! Don't ask me how I know this one!!

[Hucklecatt]

By RSTD I assume a '97 or so Royal Star? If so you will not find drain holes and yes, you will need to remove the forks to upend the tube and remove ALL oil. If air-assist preload, then by all means do depressurize with weight on front wheel to help before proceeding!

 

When I performed the GVEmulator update to my '96 Standard I went with Progressive springs and played with the oil weight. What is critical is to be sure to drain all the old fork oil, and then put exactly the same amount in each leg. If the oil is especially grungy, I have seen folks use a mild (kerosene - NOT thinner/acetone/etc.) cleanout of the legs, then let them drain and air overnight.