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New fork question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clumzi
  • Start date Start date
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Clumzi

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So I just picked up a used set of carbs and front forks for $60. I'm going to start pulling the carbs apart here in a few minutes and the forks look alright. I asked the guy how he thought the seals looked and how the forks looked overall and he said as best he knew nothing was wrong with them. Then he unscrewed something at the top of the fork and showed a little air valve and said they were air forks and that he didn't think they had oil in 'em so the seals shouldn't be an issue. The forks also have a warning label towards the bottom that has "contents under pressure" type warnings and a thing that says 36psi max.

Now, the forks, to all appearances, look just like what is on the bike now. Are these the same, something different... what are they? Will they work for a 1980 GS550L?

BTW - They came off of a 1981 GS650E I believe but I'm not entirely sure.
 
The 650E forks will physically bolt up to your front end. But I would suspect that your 550 front forks have a leading front axle and the 650E forks have the axle located directly under the lower leg and not out front like your 550L. So the handling and feel will be different if you swap the forks over.

The air forks attachment for the 650 is there only for fine tuning of the suspension system. Use only a foot pump to fill them, never use a compressor air line at a servo or at home or you will blow the seals out. There is not much room in the forks to be filled with air (only from the fork oil level to the top of inner tube). These forks have oil in them just like any other fork. You still need to fill them to the correct level and use the correct weight of oil. I have 15 wt in my 650 forks.
 
Hi,

I've been running about 15psi in the front forks on my 850. But that will change once I install my Progressive springs, no more air pre-load.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Do the forks have mounts for dual disk brakes? If so, you may run into trouble with brakes since the different size disks on the single disk models. If they are from a 650e or 650g, they should have provisions for twin disks.

Likewise, the carbs will not have the same jetting as the 550. Even though, I would clean them up and try them anyway. More than likely, you will need to go back and use 550 jets.
 
waterman said:
Do the forks have mounts for dual disk brakes? If so, you may run into trouble with brakes since the different size disks on the single disk models. If they are from a 650e or 650g, they should have provisions for twin disks.

Likewise, the carbs will not have the same jetting as the 550. Even though, I would clean them up and try them anyway. More than likely, you will need to go back and use 550 jets.
Click to expand...

Good point here about the disc sizes; the dual disc rotors are smaller. Single disc bikes also have a smaller bore on the master cylinder so you need to change that as well if you decide to go for dual disc?s on your 550. Good news is that most wheels are drilled for dual discs regardless of whether or not the bike came that way ? remove the plastic cap and the screw holes should be there.

Good luck.
 
The bike they came off of had a single front disc. Did all the 650s have dual front disks? Does this imply that all this isn't coming off of 650 but instead, more than likely, coming off of another 550? I'm 90% sure the thing wasn't a shafty but had the 32ss carbs, so it was an 80-82. -nick
 
Did you get the tripple tree with the forks As to the carbs they should work fine as is with the 650 jetting
 
Clumzi said:
Did all the 650s have dual front disks?
Click to expand...
No. My #1 son's '82 650L has a single disk. :o

IMG_8155.jpg

.
 
Steve said:
No. My #1 son's '82 650L has a single disk. :o

.
Click to expand...

If the forks are center axle, and off a 650, they would have to be dual disc. Forks must have come from something else.
 
Clumzi said:
The bike they came off of had a single front disc. Did all the 650s have dual front disks? Does this imply that all this isn't coming off of 650 but instead, more than likely, coming off of another 550? I'm 90% sure the thing wasn't a shafty but had the 32ss carbs, so it was an 80-82. -nick
Click to expand...

Just guessing, but if it was single disk with no shaft then it wasn't likely a 650. You may have been robbing a later version 550L. I am pretty sure the later 550L used air forks and the 32ss carbs were used on many bikes 550 to 850. The proof will be when you open carbs and determine jet sizes. If original, should be able to narrow it down somewhat, not that it really matters.
 
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