1983 GS650L Front End Swap

[Guest]

Hi there. Wondering if anyone has a suggestion on a front end swap for a restomod project? I’d like to upgrade the front end of this bike to a beefier set of forks, better brakes, etc. New to this game and despite lots of Googling, still don’t know what swap to make. Any help would be much appreciated.

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site, Don.
Don't know specifically what would fit your bike but i would contact site member kochic.
Marc is in your neck of the woods and is currently thinning out a parts stash.

[Steve]

Because you have an L model, there are a few things to keep in mind when you do your swap.

Everything from the steering stem forward works as a system. You can not simply pick and choose which pieces to replace, you need to do them all.

The L models had leading-axle forks, but the triples had a flatter profile to pull the forks back a bit, which keeps the axle in the same location relative to the rest of the bike as the non-L models.

If you just replace the fork tubes with ones that have the axle inline, the wheelbase will be shortened, but the trail will be increased. It will turn quicker, but will be harder to get it to turn.

Probably are some other issues, so just be sure you keep looking at the total package.

.

[the.don.bauer]

Welcome to the site, Don.
Don't know specifically what would fit your bike but i would contact site member kochic.
Marc is in your neck of the woods and is currently thinning out a parts stash.

Thanks Steve!

[the.don.bauer]

Thanks Steve!