GS1000G air mod

[Lorenzo]

Hello to everyone, to modify the forks to accept air, do I only need the caps with the valves or some more conpensation circuitry, and what about the internals, as far as the springs and the precharge spacer are concerned?
Thanks

P.S. of course the precharge mech will be lost?

[Nessism]

Air assist forks, all the rage in the GS days, were abandoned by the OEM's shortly after because, frankly, they are a pain in the butt. The air volume is so small, that even a tiny leak past the fork seals, cause drastic effect on the spring ability of the forks. Bikes that used air assist typically had fork springs with a lower spring rate than would be the case without air assist. Many GS owners of bikes that used air forks, replaced the fork springs with Progressive springs, or forum favorite, Sonic springs. These springs don't require air, and most users find that a much better option.

Back to your question, if you want to add air, I assume it's because you find the front end too soft now? If so, you don't need to do anything to the fork internals, just install the air caps.

[Rijko]

IIRC the caps are not interchangeable, different threads.
I would not go there, air is not an improvement.

[Grimly]

IIRC the caps are not interchangeable, different threads.
I would not go there, air is not an improvement.

Ditto that. I was determined to find out if it was any good, as the replacement forks I had came equipped with air caps.
After a lot of futzing around I got it to work and yes, it was good (at least, in my opinion). However, it was a total pain in the arris with the leakage meaning that the air pressure had to be reset every day, near enough.
I put upgraded springs in, and converted the air caps to manual pre-load ones with the simple addition of stop bolts and lock nuts.
I've never had to touch them since.
Contrary-wise, the rear air shocks I've had over the years have hardly ever needed adjustment. I set them for the expected load and good to go for weeks on end.

[Lorenzo]

Yeah, I think I'll use an harder spring, do not fancy giving up the ability to adjust the precharge, according to the condition, even if, the RG has both the valves and the precharge (and they are 38mm...) -it would only take, provided they are the same thread- the caps, the precharge plunger and a resize to the spacer.

Mr. Sonic I would love to employ your springs, but taxes, surcharges and double VAT + Custom and Excise, double the prize.
I do not know why politicians boast about free trade...?

Do the stock ones come in 56KgM?

Thanks

[Rob S.]

In addition to Sonic, another maker of straight rate fork springs is Race Tech (what I used). You should probably go a few (or 20) lbs overweight (what I didn't do), as many of us 60+ year olds can gain 20 pounds in a couple of years. What I did do.

[Rijko]

May want to look into cartridge emulators too : https://racetech.com/page/title/Emulators
Or use the cheaper MikeXS ones. I tried both, i like them.
It has been a while but afaik both only come in 35mm so you need an adapter made to use them.

[Lorenzo]

Rijko, do you use the c. emulators with the standard spring and only resize the spacer or new ones?

I'm currently buying the racetech springs, I phoned late afternoon (to the ITA reseller) and he assured me they are linear; the spring K is 1,00 kg/mm (56,00 lb/in) plus a 20W oil will take care of the RG front suspensions, the GS is going to follow suite based on the experience.

I've been perusing the Gold Valve as well, but want to go in little steps, if the harder spring will fix the squishyness, that'll be it.

Elaborate on the emulators; what's your ride? were you able to feel the difference in tuning the rebound (according to your rideing style)?

Rob S. I'll have to settle for 20kg/44lbn more; they do not advertise anything but this rate, which is almost double the standard -average-japs-biker 56Kg/mm of the original RG one. Had a friend which used to race the RG and his forks where as hard as rocks, super firm (also with air assistance); do not know if it will be a bonus for our non-planar everyday routes, but at least I'll have 1,5cm of precharge to play with and maybe thinner hydraulic fluid.