Fork Air Equalizing Tube-Air Joints

[Guest]

Howdie Folks;
Re: '83 GS850G
Air Equalizing Tube and (2)Air Joints just below the tree.

I'm about to remove my front forks.
From manuals and posts, it looks like there's only a pair of "O" rings at each of the "Air Joints", which fit around the fork tubes. I don't see any securing bolts in my case.

Has anyone had any experience with this air joint, and what I might encounter ?
Will the shock tube slip right through it when I pull down on the shock ?

Thanks for any tips !!

[Hone101]

I was just fiddling with a pair of 85 700 forks and the air joint moves easily.

[sebby110]

I was just fiddling with a pair of 85 700 forks and the air joint moves easily.

Thanks Hone
I'm lookin forward to not have too many surprises (if ya know what I mean )

[londonboards]

http://suzukigs1100.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/front-air-suspension.html

Greetings

[mrbill5491]

Loose the air set up, seal the holes and purchase some Sonic fork springs and new fork oil. No need for the air in the forks then.

[sebby110]

http://suzukigs1100.blogspot.co.uk/2...uspension.html

Greetings

Hello Londonboards;

MAN ! That was a great pic-tutorial. Well, cleared up any "unknown" concerns I had on this topic. Thanks

Great project. How's it coming along ?

[sebby110]

Loose the air set up, seal the holes and purchase some Sonic fork springs and new fork oil. No need for the air in the forks then.

Mrbill;
I might just do that. Had progressive springs installed several years ago, and I never put air in since. But I like having the option available.
Any recommendations on sealing the hole ?
Should I tap it and fit a screw?

Thanks for the advise.

[mrbill5491]

Mrbill;
I might just do that. Had progressive springs installed several years ago, and I never put air in since. But I like having the option available.
Any recommendations on sealing the hole ?
Should I tap it and fit a screw?

Thanks for the advise.

I just used some JBs weld and sanded it smooth, can barely tell its even there.

[sebby110]

update!
I've soaked the air clamps in liquid wrench for a could of days.
But getting the air clamps to slide up off the shocks is proving to be a real biatch!
The headlight bracket is right above them, limiting movement, so I've been using a flathead screw driver to wiggle it up the shock (progress is in millimeters !!) It's moving, allowing the shock to slide down, BUT progress is painfully SLOW !!

On a sadder note...while removing the tire, I busted one of the studs at the bottom of the right shock. Are the studs removeable/replaceable ?

Thanks for everyone's help !

[sebby110]

Update!

Job Completed! Everything cleaned up, new oil, new seals, new stud.
Back on the bike, and tested ! A OK Feels great too.

The allen bolts at the bottom of the fork tubes was a biatch, despite heat. Ultimately, I had to take it to a shop to remove them, and even they had a hell of a time getting it off.

Tubes slid back on relatively easily. I though I was going to have a terrible time getting the "air-clamps" to slide back on. But, with a bit of cleaning and grease, they went back on with minimal resistance.

Thanks Folks !!!