Hi All. New to airheads. I have a 1971 (12/70) R75/5 project. Did not run and was in quite a state. I now have it running and have taken it around the block a couple times. During this ride I noticed that I was feeling every bump. Not enjoyable. Upon inspection, my forks were still compressed(as indicated by the boots). I was able to pull the forks down but there was not rebound. Ah! Stiction I thought. Loosened the 4 points from the triple tree to the axle . Once loosened, the rebound improved but the forks were still sticking albeit not as bad (some rebound vs none). I removed both forks and tested the rebound off the bike. Left one is ok and the right is worse. Since I dont really have a baseline for this model I'd like to know, what height should the fork be assembled and off the bike, how much should it compress and return?
Thanks
Adam
It's the studs for the fork brace, the nylon lock nuts push the studs in until they make contact with the fork tubes. It is a possibility unique to the /5 fork legs and earlier US models with telescopic forks as well.
former Airmarshal, IL.
Adam -
Welcome aboard !
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Adam - I l know I am late to the party, but my '71 R75/5 had basically the same issues. The forks were, in a word, shot. I ended up rebuilding mine and installed Race Tech cartridge emulators and progressive springs over the winter. Just did my test ride and it has made a world of difference. AND, as noted above, I had one of the four fork brace studs protruding too far and had been making contact with the fork tube. I ended up replacing the stud - carefully. Hopefully you'll sort through yours as well. In my case, the work put in was well worth it, and not a great expense. FWIW I'd never rebuilt forks before, and it came out great.
Advertisement
