ccolwell
Member
Yes, it was worth the time and cost. Of course, I enjoy doing this sort of project. I like learning how things work and what makes them work better. It also gives me a winter project when I can't ride here in the northeast. The final cost was whatever the GV kit and oil cost, the stock parts I mentioned replacing, car fuel to the hardware store and back a time or two and my time. IIRC, the stock springs seemed fine for what they were (too soft for me) and I had changed the fork oil when I got the bike -- again IIRC to 7.5 wt oil as that is what has worked for me in the past on airheads that specify 5 wt. That said, I ride, or rode, my airheads fairly hard. I like going reasonably fast and want suspension that is up to that. I also live in PA which reportedly has the worst maintained roads in the country so I expect suspension to soak up bumps, potholes, etc., reasonably well and maintain the bikes composure.
I understand the frustration factor. Happens to me all the time even on straightforward tasks like changing tires. I try to take the attitude that it builds character. Doesn't always work. Still, my father started me on motorcycles and taught me how to work on them myself. His sense was you did as much as you could yourself and I still have that ingrained. It also made sense, in those days, to know your bike as you might well end up repairing it on the side of the road or trail. More in his day than mine but still. And when anything happens on a group ride, one of my friends will point at me and say 'well, if anybody has a tool to fix that it'll be Chip.'
Again, I enjoy modifying bikes but I rarely do anything with engine performance. Modifying suspension and brakes has always seemed to me to give the most bang for the buck.
All that said, as you will note from my signature line, I don't ride airheads anymore. The combination of my age, the performance of old style brakes and tires, and traffic where I live and ride makes airheads not a lot of fun. For me.
