I believe my bike still has stock on the rear and hasnt had much done to the front in the 32 years since it was new.
The front of the bike felt ok when riding, but I noticed that then I would park it on the side stand I had to lift on the handlebars or the front wouldn't fully return. fork seals apprear OK but wipers are dry rotted. being relatively new to this and very poor at the moment, I started by just replaced the oil in the front shocks and the old stuff was some of the most noxious fluid I've ever drained. almost completely black with more of a dirty oil smell than oil I've run over 15k miles in my old sentra, and almost with a kerosene or gasoline oder as well. I replaced the oil with BelRay 10w fork oil and it seems to return much better when I press down. After I can ride again I'll decide if that made the difference or if I think springs are in order. Any feedback on this would be appreciated.
I also wonder about the rear shocks on this bike. I weigh about 220 and when I pull onto my street there is a dip that if I don't lift some of my weight for caused my bike to bottom out once or twice. these shocks have an adjustment on them for how much compression is on the springs at rest, which end should they be set to? I've attached an image of the adjustment I'm talking about. right now it seems that my springs are compressed as much as they can be by default. When I ask at the store, or look online at progressive springs they are $200+ which I cannot justify spending on this bike, especially with funding so tight right now. does anyone have any experience with replacing the rear shocks with universal shocks? I found one or two that look acceptable in the $80 range.
Thanks in advance for your feedback
http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/suzuki/gs450/?filters[category]=chassis&filters[price]=100
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