• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Air fork modification question

willie

willie

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
I'd like to install a balance tube and pressure gauge to monitor the pressure in the forks of my GK. In additon, I'd like to install a fill valve so I can fill both at the same time. Has anyone done this and/or know what fittings I need and where I can get them?
Thanks,
Willie in TN
 
If your forks are the same diameter as the 1100E models you could measure those to find where the holes need to be & drill them in your forks & then use the E fork parts to finish it. Ray.
 
Thanks Ray. I figure it'd be easier to connect the valves that are on the top of the caps now. Install a low pressure gauge and tee in a valve. I could easily fabricate a plate to mount everything using one of the handlebar bolts. S&W used to make a kit that included the hose and gauge. I see them on ebay every now and then but would rather buy the individual parts instead of paying $20-$30 for a "collectible" item. I guess, more than anything, I need a source for the parts.
Willie
 
willie said:
... but would rather buy the individual parts instead of paying $20-$30 for a "collectible" item.
Click to expand...
If you can find a "collectible" item for that much, I would get it. You would be surprised how much the individual items will cost, not to mention the amount of time spent trying to find them.

I had one of those S&W kits for the forks on my KZ1300, 25+ years ago. Also had the higher-pressure model for the shocks, so I had one gauge on each side of the handlebar clamps. Very nice setup.


.
 
Put progressive springs in & some preload spacers & forget about the air altogether... that's my recommendation.

Dan :)
 
salty_monk said:
Put progressive springs in & some preload spacers & forget about the air altogether... that's my recommendation.

Dan :)
Click to expand...

Seconded. Air is dangerously unreliable stuff.
 
bwringer said:
Seconded. Air is dangerously unreliable stuff.
Click to expand...
Not sure I agree totally with that.

When I had the KZ, the forks were air-assisted springs, the shocks were totally air, no metal springs at all. :shock:

The bike handled better than any 900+ pound bike should, and rode like a Cadillac, once the air pressures were determined for different situations. Having the gauge for the shocks really helped me to understand just how air works as a spring, and how to adjust for the best ride. The S&W air shocks were installed after we came home from our long trip, so the bike probably had about 10,000 miles on it. It took a couple weeks of experimenting to determine proper pressures, then enjoyed the ride immensely for the next four years and 66,000 miles. :shock:

I have Progressive suspension on both ends of my Wing and still wish I had the ride and adjustability of the old S&Ws. 8-[


.
 
willie said:
I'd like to install a balance tube and pressure gauge to monitor the pressure in the forks of my GK. In additon, I'd like to install a fill valve so I can fill both at the same time. Has anyone done this and/or know what fittings I need and where I can get them?
Thanks,
Willie in TN
Click to expand...
Hello Willie. I've done what you're asking about with good results and no problems. I'n the pic, the connections to the fork valves are made with a pair of light duty dual wheel extender hoses with their Schraeder valves removed and plumbed to a manifold of brass fittings as you see - My common fill valve is a common plumbing snifter valve with 1/8" NPT-M threads. Use a little thread seal on all connections and the works is held in place with Tywraps - not beautiful but it works just fine....guage is 0-100 psi but a 0-60 or so would be just fine - on the side stand I see 18psig....in the seat 22, normal driving sees 20-28 and a stiff jounce or braking shows up to 45 psi!
 
Last edited:
Thanks Sparkss. Thats the kind of info I was lookin for. The picture was an added bonus. I'll be PMing you another request re: your Vetter.
Willie in TN
 
willie said:
I'd like to install a balance tube and pressure gauge to monitor the pressure in the forks of my GK. In additon, I'd like to install a fill valve so I can fill both at the same time. Has anyone done this and/or know what fittings I need and where I can get them?
Thanks,
Willie in TN
Click to expand...
Hi again Willie......Here's a second pic of that gearup.
 
Last edited:
The forks on my KZ came with aftermarket (Goki) air-preload caps, with a homemade balancing tube similiar to what's posted above. I'll try to get some photos in a bit...


-Q!
 
Here you go - the bike's filthy from sitting, but you can get the point... ;)
 
Thanks for the closeup. Seeing that little bit of pinstripe tells me you have the KZ650 thats on my most desirable list. Now if I can only figure out where to get the parts for the balance tube and what to ask for (a tee?).
Another step along the way to getting where I wanna be.
Willie in TN
 
willie said:
Thanks for the closeup. Seeing that little bit of pinstripe tells me you have the KZ650 thats on my most desirable list. Now if I can only figure out where to get the parts for the balance tube and what to ask for (a tee?).
Another step along the way to getting where I wanna be.
Willie in TN
Click to expand...

It was a unique (mis)alignment of the planets that led to my owning this bike... ;)


It seems I spoke incorrectly - upon closer inspection, it seems that the coupler valve on that hose is embossed "Goki", so it looks to be a pre-fab part furnishes with the aftermarket air caps.... :-s


-Q!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top