Air forks

[jeff langmack]

I just became the owner of a 1979 GS850G. My question is, there is only one air valve for the forks, is the supposed to be two. Thanks Jeff

[bwringer]

Stock, they come with an air valve atop each fork leg. If you have one off the side near the bottom triple clamp, you may have a front end off a later model.

However, air preload in forks is pretty useless. The proper way to go is to install updated fork springs (from Progressive or Sonic) and cut spacers to set preload properly.

This may have already been done on your bike -- how far do the forks compress when you sit on it?

[jeff langmack]

Re: air forks

Well, I found the other air valve, it was under a modifided acorn nut on the right side just like the one on the left. They both look like the ones in the owneres manuel. When I sit on the bike it settles about about two inches. I'm pretty sure that the bike is a stock 79, I just not that familiar with bikes with air suspension. I currantly own in addition to the GS a 1974 CB125, a 1973 CL350, a 1975 CB400F, and a 1974 CT90 (all Honda's). The last three were Junior winners at the AMCA Meet in Dixon Ca. earlier this year. Now I'm learning Suzuki Speak. I really like the bike (it was a gift from a friend of a friend) It's been sitting in a garage since 1994. I have it running and registered, new battery,oil/filter, fresh gas with Seafoam, adjust the points and stuff, put about 200 miles on it so far so good. I sure there will be more questions in the near future. Jeff

[tom203]

"settles about two inches" -is this a typing error?

[BigLay]

I think he means 2in from bottoming out. I have the same and was just searching for proper pressure in the forks.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. jeff langmack,

I used to run a little air in my forks before I got Progressive springs. I recall running about 15psi when I wanted a firm ride. You manual will have the proper range (8.5psi - standard?). You can download a manual from my little website.

Let me share some more GS850G lovin'.

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BassCliff