Fork cap removal

[Greg7]

Just bought an 82 gs1100l and need to replace springs but trying to figure out how to remove fork caps. They have the air valve on top. Kind of sounds stupid I'm sure but I didn't want to just wrench it like a normal cap due to not being sure if that's the correct way this type is removed.

[Greg7]

IMG_20190603_221504.jpg
Wrench around air valve housing??

[Steve]

Yep.

Tip: loosen the upper and lower clamps, slide the tube up about an inch, rotate it so you get a good angle on the cap with a wrench. Tighten only the lower clamp, break the cap loose, using the whole bike as a vise. Now you can loosen the lower clamp, slide the tube down and remove the cap with the wrench.

Be careful as you approach the end. It will take about 10 turns before it releases, but then the cap will pop up about half an inch or more. If you are aware of it and ready, nothing will fly (very far), just be aware it's going to happen.

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[Greg7]

Awesome thanks for the info

[Rich82GS750TZ]

IMG_6362.jpgWhat steve said/\

[Matt420740]

Just make sure to let the air out first. I forgot to do that last year before I changed my fork oil and blew a stream of oil all the way across my garage

[Greg7]

I've read about that haha. Thanks again

[Steve]

Just make sure to let the air out first. I forgot to do that last year before I changed my fork oil and blew a stream of oil all the way across my garage

Years ago, I was reading on the Goldwing forum. There was a similar question about how to remove the forks. One guy cautioned that the first thing to do was to bleed the air pressue at the fill valve. The second thing to do was to remove the drain screw for the oil. If you happen to reverse those two, you will have some interesting spray patterns on the far wall.

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[Greg7]

Is there a way to tell if the forks on the bike are factory and model correct? Was having other work done on bike at the shop so I figured I'd have them put the new springs in. Spring diameter is apparently too large to fit in fork tube. Progressive says they are the correct spring but mechanic says forks must be aftermarket. He thinks they are aftermarket because the forks have air valves though I thought that was pretty standard on the early 80s Suzuki's.