if i cut the fork springs, do i lose air assist?

[jed.only]

looking to lower the front of my GS1000. dropping the rear 3", and like to maybe drop the front an inch or 1.5. i dont like the idea of sliding the tbes up, so ive thought about cutting a coil or two front the fork springs as i have to relace the seals anyhow.


or should i source a shorter set of forks (GS550?) with a 37mm diameter?



im asking because i was unable to come to a conclusion after searching for about an hour and reading many old threads. mostly cutting springs and adding sacers for added stiffness.

[jed.only]

nobody, huh? wrong section?

[jimcor]

If you cut the springs to reduce fork length you're going to be reducing the fork travel by adding 'sag'. Not a good idea. Forks will bottom out much quicker and you might have a real handful under 'panic' braking situations.

[twr1776]

If you cut the springs to reduce fork length you're going to be reducing the fork travel by adding 'sag'. Not a good idea. Forks will bottom out much quicker and you might have a real handful under 'panic' braking situations.

I agree with Jimcor on cutting the springs being a bad idea. If you have not done so yet, get some new progressives to install with your new seals and lose the air assist, you will not regret it. I think sliding the tubes up in the trees is the only way to lower the front end but I am not 100 % sure. I have also heard that lowering the bike can affect the handling. Are you doing this to get your feet flat on the ground or for appearance?

[jed.only]

i want it lower for appearance. the bike is just a commuter for 4miles total. perhaps ill try to interchange another fork with a shorter overall length.

[salty_monk]

You need to either slide the tubes in the trees or get shorter forks. I don't believe you can even just get shorter fork tubes as you would need some way to shorten the stroke so that it cannot bottom out.

Dan

[Zook]

Be careful raising the tubes...if you raise them too far the fender will hit the frame/engine with disastrous results.

[salty_monk]

Not if you stiffen the springs sufficiently. You can also cut the fender back like the ones on my skunk.

Dan

[Zook]

Not if you stiffen the springs sufficiently. You can also cut the fender back like the ones on my skunk.

Dan

If fork travel remains the same it will regardless of spring stiffness.

[jed.only]

front fender is removed, FWIW.