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GS1100E (83) front end on 78 Skunk

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    GS1100E (83) front end on 78 Skunk

    Just fitted this front end finally... only had it on the shelf about 3 years!
    Leaking fork seals on
    Added the emulators & cut springs a year or so back. It's fitted with Mikes XS emulators (2 turns on them) in a set of custom adapters.
    The rebound adjusters still work with this setup. I am using a set of stock springs cut as short as I dare (about 16" from memory) to give me a calculated 43.5lb spring weight - straight rate.
    Running them with no preload but of course on this fork I also have the benefit of preload adjustment too if I should need it or take a passenger.
    Just hoping that as they are short they don't fatigue & sag quickly. My KLR stock springs are just as short so as are plenty of other bikes' springs so hoping this won't be the case).

    Initial opinion is I nailed it. The setup feels great. A big leap forward from the stock forks with progressive springs that were in it before. (Progressive springs are about 38lb & 50lb when close coils bind).
    The bike feels very stable under braking but as least (if not more) plush than before over bumps. Front end feels very stable. Using the same Tarozzi brace I used on the old forks. No air assistance. Wish those tubes didn't have the holes in them, had to leave the collars on but managed to fit them on with the 1000 lower triple cover for a more stock look.




    Had to make a couple of adjusters for the rebound as one had broken & disappeared & one was on it's way out! Turned some material & put a shoulder for an O ring on the bottom to try to stop junk getting into the mechanism from below (it stops the "clicking" if nothing else).



    Added gaitors as these are brand new "forking by franks" tubes (Bought the whole front end for $200 with fresh seals & these new tubes).
    Also added the anti-dive block off plates.

    Kept the stock turn signals as they are 3 wire & have running lights as well as flash which I like a lot... Now might find some short ones for the rear.. Let me know is anyone has a set.

    1980 GS1000G - Sold
    1978 GS1000E - Finished!
    1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
    1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
    2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
    1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
    2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

    www.parasiticsanalytics.com

    TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

    #2
    nice job Dan,
    So how did you keep the adjusters functional with the emulators? Didn't you drill the damper rods?

    Comment


      #3
      Yes, drilled the rods above & below the lock rings to get rid of the anti dives (without having to leave a "path" in the block-off plates) but that only affects the compression damping, it does nothing to affect the rebound damping...

      That's the beauty of emulators. They make the compression damping infinitely adjustable via the emulator spring tension & allow you to adjust rebound damping independently (in this case via the adjuster but in a stock 1000 fork by changing the oil weight & re-adjusting the emulator to compensate).

      I did a lot of research on this subject before getting to this stage. Your "how to" stuff helped as well.

      1980 GS1000G - Sold
      1978 GS1000E - Finished!
      1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
      1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
      2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
      1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
      2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

      www.parasiticsanalytics.com

      TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by salty_monk View Post
        Yes, drilled the rods above & below the lock rings to get rid of the anti dives (without having to leave a "path" in the block-off plates) but that only affects the compression damping, it does nothing to affect the rebound damping...

        That's the beauty of emulators. They make the compression damping infinitely adjustable via the emulator spring tension & allow you to adjust rebound damping independently (in this case via the adjuster but in a stock 1000 fork by changing the oil weight & re-adjusting the emulator to compensate).

        I did a lot of research on this subject before getting to this stage. Your "how to" stuff helped as well.

        Nice, I was thinking I could have done that but I now have the 1st gen forks now.

        Comment


          #5
          Nice job Dan, looks like she's all ready for another trip to Mexico! I'd love to have a tight front end but this looks like too much work for me, well done though.
          Rob
          1983 1100ES, 98' ST1100, 02' DR-Z400E and a few other 'bits and pieces'
          Are you on the GSR Google Earth Map yet? http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=170533

          Comment


            #6
            looks like what my front end will look like soon! nice dan! i'm sure i will have some more annoying questions for you. how do you like the double banjo at the caliper/looped line to the other side setup? still haven't decided how i'm going to run my lines.

            greg
            1983 GS 1100 ESD :D

            Comment


              #7
              so, dan, can you clarify a bit for me, the rebound adjusters on the bottom of the forks still work? is this just with the mike's emulators or is this with racetech to? my understanding was that rebound damping with ems is controlled by the weight of the fork oil and that rebound adjustment doesn't work after installation. trying to grok all i can about how this all works. thanks!
              greg

              edit: i guess what i am asking here is what does that knob on the bottom of my forks DO? and how does that relate to the emulator install. to advanced search!
              Last edited by greg78gs750; 03-21-2013, 01:53 PM.
              1983 GS 1100 ESD :D

              Comment

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