GL forks vs.G forks

[Goin-Slo]

I noticed in the photo gallery that the 1980 850 GL forks have the axle mounted up and fwd. Can I use the GL forks on my 850G to get a longer and lower stance? Or... are the brakes, rotors, and axle different too?

[Steve]

Don't know if it will give you a "longer and lower stance", but it WILL mess up the handling on your bike.

First, it won't sit any lower. Both bikes have the same size wheel.

The L has a different setup in the front, not sure if it's the head angle or different triple trees, but the offset is different to compensate for the leading axle fork. If you simply put the leading axle fork from the L on your G, you will reduce trail quite a bit, which will dramatically reduce your stability. Chances are, it will be downright twitchy.

EDIT: I just looked at the specs for the wheelbase on the two models, the L is a whopping three tenths of an inch longer.

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[salty_monk]

Do a search. Been discussed before. The triple trees have a diff angle on them from memory

[bwringer]

As far as the brakes, the only difference is that the mounting brackets are different, and I believe the brake lines are different lengths. The axles and wheels are the same. I think the speedo drive boxes are the same as well, but don't quote me on that without checking part numbers.

I seem to recall a few people have swapped from one fork to the other, but I don't remember anyone doing a direct comparison. In other words, they installed the "wrong" type of fork because that's what was available (GL parts tend to be more common), but they'd never ridden the bike with the correct fork.

The bike won't sit any lower with GL forks, if that's what you're after.

[Steve]

I think the speedo drive boxes are the same as well, but don't quote me on that without checking part numbers.

I just love a challenge.

I just checked the part numbers, they are different.

The speedo drive that fits the G fits pretty much all the Gs, all the 8-valve Es and many others. The only L that it fits is the 425L.

The speedo drive that fits the L fits all the Ls (except the 425), the 16-valve Es and the Maduras.

The ratios inside the drive box are the same, the difference is the location of the mounting tabs that keep the correct orientation.

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[Goin-Slo]

Thanks for the info!!!!! Im' going to pick them up anyway, and give it a try - just for grins. I need new (used) uppers anyway, my uppers are pitted badly. At the very least I can make one good set out of two with a rebuild.

[Nessism]

Don't know if it will give you a "longer and lower stance", but it WILL mess up the handling on your bike.

First, it won't sit any lower. Both bikes have the same size wheel.

The L has a different setup in the front, not sure if it's the head angle or different triple trees, but the offset is different to compensate for the leading axle fork. If you simply put the leading axle fork from the L on your G, you will reduce trail quite a bit, which will dramatically reduce your stability. Chances are, it will be downright twitchy.

EDIT: I just looked at the specs for the wheelbase on the two models, the L is a whopping three tenths of an inch longer.

.

Yea, the head angle and offset is slightly different but it's not enough to worry about and won't upset the handling. No worry there.

[waterman]

I just love a challenge.

I just checked the part numbers, they are different.

The speedo drive that fits the G fits pretty much all the Gs, all the 8-valve Es and many others. The only L that it fits is the 425L.

The speedo drive that fits the L fits all the Ls (except the 425), the 16-valve Es and the Maduras.

The ratios inside the drive box are the same, the difference is the location of the mounting tabs that keep the correct orientation.

.

The difference in the speedo drives is that the one sits in the wheel while the other sits outside of the wheel. The E and G models doesn't have as wide of a flange and sits into the wheel. The L has a wider lip which butts the wheel opening near the bearings. Not interchangeable. The rest is correct.

Back to original question, the G and L forks may have different internals also. I know the 650 L uses different springs and may not have adjustable air forks.
Not sure what effect these will have on your bike. In general, the G had a little better setup, at least in the 650 series, not sure in 850s.