Raising front end, not sure how it was lowered.??

[Guest]

Hey all. 83 1100e. The front forks have been lowered by PO. Not sure how. Thinking he cut the springs. The manual shows no spacer at the top, between spring and cap. If i add one will that help to raise front end? Or is replacement springs the only way?

[bonanzadave]

Might have to provide the "fork gurus" a photo. Do we know for sure that we have a stock 1100ED front end including the wheel and tire ? If so, are the tops of the tubes (where you adj the pre-load) flush with the tops of the triple tree ? Try pumping about 10psi of air into them. That should extend them to their full length.

[jabcb]

The PO may have used a lowering kit. Am aware of two different kinds of lower kits.

With one type of kit the stock spring is replaced with a shortened spring & a short really-soft spring.
When you lift the front end off the ground, the forks extend to their normal full length.
Stationary with just the bikes weight, the really-soft spring is completely compressed.

The other type replaces the stock spring with a shorter spring + an additional rebound spring.
When you lift the front end off of the ground, the forks do not extend to their full normal length because of the additional rebound spring.

But the PO may have done something else like what you suggested.

What you need to do depends on what the PO did.
When you lift the front end off the ground, do the forks extend to their normal full length?

[gmansyz]

Sounds like the springs were cut.
But how about adding some spacers under the rebound springs? Then it won't extend as far. Besides, it is not a dirt bike and you don't need 6 1/2" of travel. 4 1/2" is just fine. Adjust the preload on the main spring to compensate and run it.
G

[Mario]

The springs look stock. They measured just shy of 18". The forks do not extend any more than they are now. The way they are set up now, there is only 3-1/4" between the bottom triple and the top of the dust cap. They will not raise anymore than that.

[bwringer]

Another lowering "technique" (it's butchery, not a technique...) is to add a spacer to the damping rod.

Without some way of knowing what springs are in there, you might be best off to replace them with Sonic or Progressive springs.

In any case, you'll probably need to take the forks apart all the way to see what you have.

[jabcb]

Progressive Suspension fork spring kit for your bike is # 11-1107
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...45&modelID=837

Springs 11-1107 have a free length of 18 inches.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/7100-105.pdf

So you may be right about have stock springs.

Am in agreement with bwringer.
The PO likely added a spacer or additional rebound spring to the damping rod. Will need to take the forks apart & remove whichever he added.