• 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.

Progressive fork springs question

  • Thread starter Thread starter 24flinchin
  • Start date Start date
2

24flinchin

Guest
If I put progressive fork springs in my 83 gs650, does that eliminate the need for air and oil or just one or the other or neither? Also, what should I notice by installing these as far as improvements? Thanks
 
Generally speaking, most people who use progressive springs, do not use air. The oil is still required.

I find the biggest improvement is noticeably less front end dive while braking and better ground clearance. The ride is different, big bumps don't seem to hit as hard yet it is still relatively complaint. The front end feels more planted on rough roads. My opinion only.

I am thinking of dropping back to 15 weight oil in my forks as the 20 weight I am currently running isn't quite as plush a ride as I would prefer.
 
20 weight!? That's some thick stuff
The difference you will feel is control over your motorcycle and not diving when braking.
Fork oil is always needed. Make sure the level is equal in both forks.
 
Great, thanks for the replies. Guess Ill order a set, any recommended brands?
 
im assuming 15 is the stock weight in my '81 GS650G according to this thread. How much goes in each tube? (oz/ml/cc)?

thanks, drew
 
Last edited:
I havent replaced my springs in the 650 yet but my 1980 750 called for 8 weight oil. I pressurized the forks when I was done to 10 lbs as well to check for leaks. After a week of holding pressure I released the air back into the wild where it belongs. I know thats probably not the best means to test, but it held fast at 10 for a full 7 days so....
 
spokexx said:
im assuming 15 is the stock weight in my '81 GS650G according to this thread. How much goes in each tube? (oz/ml/cc)?

thanks, drew
Click to expand...

You can find this in your manual or go to Basscliffs site and look it up.

Rick
 
I just installed Progressive fork springs (#1106) in my GS650GL a few weeks ago. I can give you these pointers from my experience:

1. Don't use 20WT! It's way too thick. I used 15WT (stock spec) and it's just about right...almost too heavy. I might even try 10WT once I have some other details sorted out.

2. Choose your spacer length carefully. I weigh about 190lb and used a 60mm spacer, but it was about 5~10mm too long, so I get a little bounce during cruising. I will be shortening it soon. I'm not sure if you're riding a G, E, or GL, but you need to follow the instructions for the spacer length calculation (based on preload). It will be a different length for you if you don't have the GL (GL forks are longer than G/E/etc...).

3. When using the progressive springs, it is best to determine the fork oil amount by oil level instead of volume since the progressives take up more space inside the fork tubes. I basically compared the progressive instructions to the service manual spec, and used the lower of the two levels (larger number). So far, I haven't had any hydro-locking issues.

Feel free to ask if you have any additional questions. This work is still fresh in my memory.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top