Best way to replace front suspension?

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Tonyvdb
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Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by Tonyvdb »

Thanks to form member Kevin I have a rebuilt set of front shocks for my Voyager, this weekend I want to replace the old ones with these.
My question is, what is the best way to do this. Do I have to remove the entire front wheel or can I do the shocks one at a time and leave the wheel attached to the other as I do it?
I'm guessing I remove the fork brace and the fender?

And for the dumb question (as I have never done this before) does the fork simply slide out of a hole around the steering tree after removing a bolt or is it more complicated?
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by davidl »

Carl Leo made a CD on removing, repairing & installing front forks. Probably the best information you can fine. And yes, you do have to remove the speedometer cable, front wheel, calipers, fender & fork brace
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Tonyvdb
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by Tonyvdb »

Ok thanks, Ive sent Carl a PM
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by bikerking.biz »

Tonyvdb wrote:Ok thanks, Ive sent Carl a PM
Not sure if Carl will have a copy of the CD. It was originally made and sold by the AVA, but apparently no longer available.

When you do remove the forks, be sure to be very careful with the air collars that are on each tube that connects to the air valve on the right hand fairing (where you put air in the front forks and rear shocks). Sometimes that collar can stick a little, and if you're not careful when removing the fork tube, you may break the connecting tube to the other side. Same thing when re-assembling.
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by doug of so fla »

Also:: there is a spring clip that goes around the outside of the shock tubes that you have to remove before you can slide the tube all the way down.
Lubing the shock tubes as you remove them makes less chance of damage to air collar and shock tubes.
Cover air hole in tubes as soon as you get them removed.
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by Tonyvdb »

doug of so fla wrote:Also:: there is a spring clip that goes around the outside of the shock tubes that you have to remove before you can slide the tube all the way down.
Lubing the shock tubes as you remove them makes less chance of damage to air collar and shock tubes.
Cover air hole in tubes as soon as you get them removed.
Just to be sure we are on the same page. I am swapping out everything. I have the entire shock assembly I just need to swap it out with the old ones on there now.
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by chevyman1 »

It's not that hard,
Put the bike on the center stand use a floor jack with a piece of wood under the engine and raise the front until the rear wheel just touches the ground.
then remove the front brake calipers and remove the wheel.
then remove the brace and fender.
then loosen the clamp bolts on the triple tree 1 on top and 2 on bottom.
then one at a time twist the tube so the O rings let go and slide the tube down so the top is out of the triple tree and air manifold.
you will see or feel the "C" clip that is under the air manifold, you can pull that off without any tool just use your hand.
then slide the tube the rest of the way out .
Reverse the procedure with the new tubes.
When you put the new tubes in you will keep the air system intact but you will not add any air.
Any questions feel free to ask me.
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by Tonyvdb »

Thank you :)
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Re: Best way to replace front suspension?

Post by krasmu »

Boy! Chevyman, after reading the first couple posts I was feeling a bit over whelmed but then you come along and make it sound like a cake walk. Nice job.
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