Front fork problems??

[hikermikem]

Hi,

I'm noticing what feels like a "square" front wheel when I roll down the road on my "82 GS110G. The road is pretty flat & smooth, but the front wheel seems bouncy.

I've spent a lot of time lately learning about engines, carbs & electrical stuff, but I'm pretty ignorant about the suspension on these bikes.

I checked the air in the forks - both were ~17 psi. My suzuki manual states 8.5 psi is the spec, but also says not to exceed 35 psi. I figure you can put the air pressure where you like it the best, as long as it's < 35 psi. I increased the pressure on each side to 20 psi (sounded like a good number).

When I sit on the bike & push down on the handle bars, I can easily bob the front forks up & down, total travel of about 4+". I don't think I should be able to compress the forks that much, I'm not a very hefty guy either.

There's no oil leaks that I can discern from the forks, but I'm wondering if there's any oil in them.

So, I'm looking for opinions & advice as to what might be the problem, or perhaps this is the way all 1100's are?

Thanks!!

mike

[bonanzadave]

Hi,


I'm wondering if there's any oil in them.

Not a good thing to be wondering about. The proper oil & amount is critical to the handling of your machine.

perhaps this is the way all 1100's are?

Ahhhhhh.......NO.

Mike, do a search and get ready for a project thats pretty easy and makes a world of difference.

[chef1366]

Sounds like you have a bad tire.

[Clone]

20lbs of air in the forks make them like steel on my bike. Drain and check the oil in the forks, check the front tire to see if you have a bulge in the tire, or lost a weight.

[snowbeard]

I get this on my 650G too. it feels like the forks don't necessarily absorb those little ripples in the road just right, instead it makes the whole front end bounce slightly. my shocks still take a real hit well and it rides nicely, but I get this same bouncy bouncy, especially on a specific road, and sometimes not at all on others.

I wonder if it's just that the hit isn't big enough to engage the suspension? the road ripples lightly enough that the wheel just tracks on it and the bike goes up and down. it might be the "frequency" of the ripple, or the height of the peaks...

I've been trying to fix this for some time. changing air pressure, changed the oil once (I know that needs to be done again soon!) and tried to get it spot on even... I even just got progressive springs and they don't do jack for it. need to mess with their spacers and maybe try some air...

maybe this is why people do the fork conversion on your bigger bikes...

[emjay]

Rebuild the forks with new progressively wound springs, new oil ,and run without air. Probably need to replace the seals as well. Next task, replace the rear shocks.

[Mark whiz]

I would definitely change out the fork oil. You might even want to clean them out as well by flushing them with some kerosine. On refill, bring the level of the oil to 6" below the top of the fork with it fully compressed (make sure you work the fork several times before checking the level). This is probably not the level Suzuki recommends, but it seems to work for just about any bike.

This level usually helps with the preload and the bounciness. Going to a lighter oil (5 or 10w) will also help with the ripple bumps, this will help the forks follow the road rather than react to it.

[AOD]

Install Progressive front springs ($60) and never use the air system again.

~Adam

[Billyboy]

Might try balancing that wheel too.

[Tomcat427]

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