fork uncertainess

[1980gs1100l]

how prone to loosing oil are the forks my seals are not leaking but by forks feel a little soft on moderate braking do i just need to add some air or what just in case it matters its an 1980 gs 1100l chain

[Nessism]

Do your forks have air caps? If so, how much air pressure do you have in the forks? Regarding fork oil, when was the last time you changed the oil?

Most GS forks require air or the spring rate will be very soft. For oil, you should change it every other year or so. Details should be in your service manual. This is basic maintenance.

[jwhelan65]

Do your forks have air caps? If so, how much air pressure do you have in the forks? Regarding fork oil, when was the last time you changed the oil?

Most GS forks require air or the spring rate will be very soft. For oil, you should change it every other year or so. Details should be in your service manual. This is basic maintenance.

Im assuming the air caps are positioned out in front of the fork where that small valve is located?

[chef1366]

Put about ten pounds in the air fittings on the top of both forks.
I'd lose the stock springs and put in some Progressive, change the fork oil and seals.
I have a good stock set of fork springs for your bike. I switched them because I was too big for those springs.

[jwhelan65]

Put about ten pounds in the air fittings on the top of both forks.
I'd lose the stock springs and put in some Progressive, change the fork oil and seals.
I have a good stock set of fork springs for your bike. I switched them because I was too big for those springs.

chef,

What's the the difference between stock springs and Progressive? I have several sets of springs that came with parts bike I acquired, can't really tell if they are new stock or after market...they look new.

Joe

[chef1366]

chef,

What's the the difference between stock springs and Progressive? I have several sets of springs that came with parts bike I acquired, can't really tell if they are new stock or after market...they look new.

Joe

I guess the way to tell is at each end the spring coils become close together.
I've heard that the stock springs are made the same way so

[Steve]

how prone to loosing oil are the forks my seals are not leaking but by forks feel a little soft on moderate braking do i just need to add some air or what just in case it matters its an 1980 gs 1100l chain

Besides getting some help with your forks, you also need to locate your punctuation keys and spell checker.

Do your forks have air caps? If so, how much air pressure do you have in the forks? Regarding fork oil, when was the last time you changed the oil?

Most GS forks require air or the spring rate will be very soft. For oil, you should change it every other year or so. Details should be in your service manual. This is basic maintenance.

Additional air will only increase the spring rate. He has noted that there is no apparent oil leakage, but that can also mean that there is no oil there to leak out. Before adding air, make sure there is enough oil to do the damping, then set the preload with the additional air.

Im assuming the air caps are positioned out in front of the fork where that small valve is located?

Not sure what small valve you might see on the front of the forks, most times the valves are on the top of the tubes. Sometimes an aftermarket kit has been added to balance the air between the two forks.

chef,

What's the the difference between stock springs and Progressive? I have several sets of springs that came with parts bike I acquired, can't really tell if they are new stock or after market...they look new.

Joe

If you have stock and Progressive springs side-by-side, you will notice that the Progressives are made with thicker wire, giving a better spring rate. Yes, they are both wound in a progressive manner, making it harder to tell them apart unless you have them together to compare.

.