Confused- 81 GS850 front end question

[Guest]

Can someone measure the eye-to-eye distance on the front brake mounting bolts and tell me what it is?

I have a 1981 GS850G. It came with "L" style leading forks. The brake calipers bolted in place without any issues. I want to change to the standard forks on top of the axle. It looks like only 1980 and 1981 have the same part numbers. The problem is that I don't know if the brakes I have will bolt to the 1981 forks because the PO may have used different forks and different brakes. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Mark

[Steve]

I can measure my '80G forks when I get home in about an hour.

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[bwringer]

I'm not clear on what you're asking, exactly, but G and GL caliper carriers are different. The carrier is the part that bolts to the fork, and has holes that the caliper pins slide into.

The calipers are the same. However, the carriers are different in order to place the caliper in the right place relative to the wheel.

If you're switching back to G forks, you'll need the triples, the upper and lower fork legs, the fender, and the caliper carriers. The axles are the same (I think the spacers are different), and the wheel and brake rotors will work. The speedo drive should work (make sure you install it in the correct position -- it's different between G and GL), but you may want to get a G speedo cable (pretty sure the GL cable is longer).

There may also be some details of the instruments and instrument mounting that are different, and while we're in the area, the headlights are different.

Of course, there's no telling what the PO changed and didn't change... things could get interesting.

[rogerramjet]

I guess I'll need carriers regardless, if they are different sizes. I have an old set of 79 forks that seem to be the right length? ~30 1/2 inches from the top to the axle. Maybe I could use the forks from the 79 if I can get carriers that fit. They need to be 2 7/8" eye to eye. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Mark

[rogerramjet]

By the way, I have already rebuilt the steering stem with new bearings and races, with the appropriate triple tree. I have sourced an axle with the appropriate spacers. How different are the fenders?

Super thanks for all the help

[Steve]

The forks on my '80 G are 31 1/2" from center of the axle to the top of the upper tube.

The lower tube is 13 7/16" from center of axle to the bottom edge of the rubber dust boot.

The carrier-to-fork mounts are 2 7/8", center-to-center.

The caliper-to-carrier mounts are about 3 3/4".

I can get measurements off an '82 850GL, if you need.

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[rogerramjet]

Out of curiosity, what is the fork to carrier measurement on the "L"?

[Steve]

Looks like it's right at 3".

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[rogerramjet]

Well, I knew I could count on the forum to help me out. Thank you to everyone who answered my question. For better or worse, I am determined to change the forks, so it looks like I need the entire front fork (right and left) and brake caliper carriers for each. If anyone has spares of any, please let me know.

Mark