• 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.

Dirrerence between air and non-air forks?

  • Thread starter Thread starter tucker
  • Start date Start date
T

tucker

Guest
Other than the obvious. I just picked up a set of forks for my '77 gs750 to do the single to dual disc change and the ones I just bought are air. How do they perform relative to each other? Also, how do the leading axle forks compare to the straight(?) forks.
Thanks.
tucker
 
Last edited:
A lot of people get progressives or chop the springs so they don't have to run with the air...

Leading axle forks are probably a little slower steering I would think.

Dan :)
 
the air is for preload adjustment. they tend to have a softer spring and rely on the air pressure to make up the difference, air air to firm up the front spring rate, lower it to make it softer.

many prefere to use stiffer progressive springs or make preload spaces out of sch40 pvc pipe.

the "L" model GS's used a leading axle fork to slow down the steering and give them a bit of a stretched look.

there are a couple non L GS that used them also but generally it was done so that adjustable damping could be used as at the time the adjustment was via a knob on the bottom of the fork.

a bit of trivia: the Yamaha 550 vision used a unusual trailing axle fork as they had to use a longer rake than desired so the forks would clear the radiator, moving the axle to the back side of the fork shortened the rake and made for quicker steering.
 
The spring rate for the air-assist forks is lower since Suzuki intended the use of air to bolster the metal spring. As Salty Monk stated, you can ditch the air completely if you get some Progressive springs or if you chop out some coils on the stock springs (replace the lost height with a PVC spacer). Just sticking a spacer in the forks without chopping the spring will increase the preload on the front end but it will not increase the spring rate - that's why chopping the springs is better.

Oh, and the leading axle fork reduces trail which will make the bike steer faster (contrary to what many people think). Suzuki raked out the forks a degree for the L models, and added the offset fork to bring the trail back to the same as the STD models.
 
Last edited:
focus frenzy said:
a bit of trivia: the Yamaha 550 vision used a unusual trailing axle fork as they had to use a longer rake than desired so the forks would clear the radiator, moving the axle to the back side of the fork shortened the rake and made for quicker steering.
Click to expand...

I had a Vision back in school. Very nice engine but handling was crappy. Trailing axle fork actually increases trail, which slows steering - not the other way around. Can't remember ever seeing another bike with a fork like that...maybe for good reason.:cool:
 
I have a set of forks on a '79 GS850G I'm thinking of parting out, and I just bought a set of forks from an '81 750E with a leading axle. Would the '81 forks make my '77 a bit squirrely?
 
I don't think any E model came with leading axle forks... Perhaps someone else fitted them later.

Dan :)
 
The early 16v 750E and 1100E had leading axle forks. Not sure why but true story. The amount of offset is not that great so it shouldn't be a problem with installing this type of fork on an early 750.
 
keen to learn...

keen to learn...

Nessism said:
Oh, and the leading axle fork reduces trail which will make the bike steer faster (contrary to what many people think). Suzuki raked out the forks a degree for the L models, and added the offset fork to bring the trail back to the same as the STD models.
Click to expand...

does this mean that fitting L forks to the "standard" (non-L) steering stem would quicken the steering? :-k
 
Nessism: How much would I cut the springs and how long a spacer for my 80 1100 w/leading axle?

Paul
 
nastyjones said:
Nessism: How much would I cut the springs and how long a spacer for my 80 1100 w/leading axle?

Paul
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

Try 3 inches for a start and see how the forks feel. You can always cut more if need be.

Good luck.
 
Is there any chance that the '79 GS850 fork lowers will swap with my '77 GS750B lowers and leave the air fittings on the upper tubes off my '77?
 
tucker said:
Is there any chance that the '79 GS850 fork lowers will swap with my '77 GS750B lowers and leave the air fittings on the upper tubes off my '77?
Click to expand...

750 forks are 35mm, 850 forks are 37's. Don't think parts swap between them.
 
So if I plan to use the 850 forks, I'll need to swap the tripples plus a bearing change? Or can I use them at all?
 
front end spring height

front end spring height

Hey Nessism,

I'm ressurecting this old post because spring is here and I am ready to do the mod on my 81-1100 with leading axle. In this post you recommended cutting about 3" off my stock springs. My question is, am I supposed to replace this missing height with a spacer?
Could you explain again, what advantage this will give me?

Thanks, Paul
 
nastyjones said:
Hey Nessism,

I'm ressurecting this old post because spring is here and I am ready to do the mod on my 81-1100 with leading axle. In this post you recommended cutting about 3" off my stock springs. My question is, am I supposed to replace this missing height with a spacer?
Could you explain again, what advantage this will give me?

Thanks, Paul
Click to expand...

Hey Paul,

Replace the lost height with a PVC spacer. Cutting the springs with increase the spring rate and lessen the amount of air you need in the forks.

I did this mod on an '83 750 and took off 2" to start. I think you could go up to 4 or even 5 inches without concern but start off slow - you can't put the coils back after they are cut.

Springs001.jpg

Springs002.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top