Front Fork Troubles

[BUZZIN]

Recently I had a mechanic friend install new fork oil seals and dust seals.  Now the forks bottom out way too easily.  Initially I thought that he didn't put in enough fork oil.  I had given him two 16 oz. bottles of 15W, and now have approximately 6 oz. left over.  Then I thought that he didn't install the Spring Preload Spacers.  I took off the Fork Cap Bolts, and both Spacers are there.  The Clymer shop manual says that I should have 4.7 inches of fork stroke, but all I seem to have is about 2.6 inches.  What could be wrong???  I appreciate any help.

[Gisser]

What Clymer means by 4.7'' of fork stroke is the measurement from full extension to the bottom of travel.  Now, once the bike is off the centerstand and you have you're weight on it, about 1 1/2'' or so of the travel should be taken up by static sag.  That should leave plus 3'' of travel, give or take, to soak up bumps.  The fact that you have less than that is evidence that the stock springs are as inadequate as their reputation suggests.  Try a search for    Progressive Springs.  

[BUZZIN]

The forks didn't bottom out prior to having this guy replace the seals.  I just measured the distance from the bottom of the lower triple clamp to the top lip of the dust seal.  I get 4-11/16 inches.  I would appreciate others taking the same measurement and then post their results.  Thanks!

[knowlsey]

make sure he hasn't pinched ya progressives, if ya had them in, and put stocks back in

[BUZZIN]

No I didn't buy progressive springs for this GS.  I sure would like to have several of you take and post the measurement between the lower triple clamp and the top of the slider.  I really need some help.  Thanks!

[cheesy]

make sure he hasn't pinched ya progressives, if ya had them in, and put stocks back in

how in the F can you 'pinch' the progressives?

[Jasco]

Main Entry: 1pinch
Pronunciation: 'pinch
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from (assumed) Old North French pinchier, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin pinctiare
transitive senses
1 a : to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument b : to prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usually to induce branching c : to squeeze or compress painfully d : to cause physical or mental pain to e (1) : to cause to appear thin or shrunken (2) : to cause to shrivel or wither
2 a : to subject to strict economy or want : STRAITEN b : to confine or limit narrowly : CONSTRICT
3 a : STEAL b : ARREST
4 : to sail too close to the wind
intransitive senses
1 : COMPRESS, SQUEEZE
2 : to be miserly or closefisted
3 : to press painfully
4 : NARROW, TAPER <the road pinched down to a trail -- Cecelia Holland>
- pinch pennies : to practice strict economy

I think he was using pinch with definition 3 a.

matt

[BUZZIN]

So far Gisser has been the most help, but no cigar.  The rest of you guys are hilarious.  Gisser, Knowlsey, Chessy and Jasco, each of you go to your GS and take those measurements.  Now come back and post them here.

[cheesy]

So far Gisser has been the most help, but no cigar.  The rest of you guys are hilarious.  Gisser, Knowlsey, Chessy and Jasco, each of you go to your GS and take those measurements.  Now come back and post them here.

one of my seals are blown, else I would do it for ya... but as of now my bike sits too low cause only one fork is holding it up

[Jasco]

Mine is a little less than 5 inches while sitting on the sidestand.

The fork tubes, not my .....

[BUZZIN]

BTW...This '93 GS500 only has 8,700 miles on it.  I can't believe that the stock fork springs would behave this way as was suggested by Gisser, indicating that the stockers need to be replaced.  Also, I don't believe that either one of the springs are broken, since I had both of the top caps off, and I can feel spring preload pressure trying to reinstall the caps.

I can only conclude that the mechanic reinstalled something wrong while redoing the fork seals.  Please post your measurements.  The real measurements, as longer doesn't necessarily mean better.  Does anyone have any suggestions???

[starwalt]

how in the F can you 'pinch' the progressives?

Just a note, in the UK & Oz "pinch" means "to steal", not squeeze an item between something.

He was warning him to make sure the mech didn't rip him off and swap his springs.  

[scratch]

Most likely when you had the forks service it reduced the STICTION which was not allowing the forks to operate smoothly.

I measured 5 and 1/8th inches from the base of the dust seal to the lower triple, but realize that is with proper static sag (sans rider) for my weight, 130#'s; and the forks moved down 1mm in the triples; Progressives with 3/8th inches of preload. Rider sag (with rider) is supposed to be 1.4 to 1.55 inches (this is to allow travel in the downward direction so the spring can push the tire down to maintain traction with the road when you crest a hill or over rough road surfaces, also helps eliminate headshake when the front end gets light).

26 oz. converts to 768cc's, or 384cc's per tube; recommended amount is 377ml (cc's) per leg (tube); so I think you're ok, there.

[Gisser]

Static sag merely means with the bike at rest.  Whether that means with rider aboard or not depends on who's setting up the suspension.  I can't think of a reason for separating the two.  But, yes, can't determine if  BUZZIN has a problem if he doesn't clarify what measurement he's taking to get his numbers. :dunno:

[knowlsey]

make sure he hasn't pinched ya progressives, if ya had them in, and put stocks back in

how in the F can you 'pinch' the progressives?

sorry i meant it as a joke (Pinched) stolen,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,me from england. speak with Fn fork tongue

[BUZZIN]

I took my measurements static (without a rider), on the right fork leg, while the GS is resting on the kick stand.  It would be great if someone with Progressive Springs would take some measurements, as well as someone with stock springs.  Thanks for your help!

[Gisser]

It would be great if someone with Progressive Springs would take some measurements, as well as someone with stock springs

Done already.  You say 4-11/16'' for yours.  Jasco says a little less than 5'' [per fork measure, not his unmentionable] and scratch says a tick over 5'' with Progressive Springs.  These measurements are all within the seal stiction margin of error.  You might as well take your measurement on the centerstand with the fork fully extended and then another measurement with the bike off the stand and with rider aboard.  You can take that measurement using a zip tie around the fork tube to mark the total sag.  If the difference between the two measures is more than 2'' then you know the front is drooping too much.   [/i]

[starwalt]

sorry i meant it as a joke (Pinched) stolen,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,me from england. speak with Fn fork tongue

No need for an apology! I dig intelligent regional phrases. Of course I've watched enough Brit TV to pick up a few terms.

I still haven't had a good defintion for a "toad in a hole" (a food item). :dunno:

[drvmystck]

Progressive springs installed by previous owner.  

5 1/8th between triple clamp and fork seals. Didn't do the centerstand sag trick noted above, but I could tonight if need be. Let me know.

[BUZZIN]

Done already.  You say 4-11/16'' for yours.  Jasco says a little less than 5'' [per fork measure, not his unmentionable] and scratch says a tick over 5'' with Progressive Springs.  These measurements are all within the seal stiction margin of error.  You might as well take your measurement on the centerstand with the fork fully extended and then another measurement with the bike off the stand and with rider aboard.  You can take that measurement using a zip tie around the fork tube to mark the total sag.  If the difference between the two measures is more than 2'' then you know the front is drooping too much.   [/i][/quote]

We measured another GS with stock springs last night at 5 inches.  Gisser, thanks, I'll give your suggestions a try tonight.  I hope that you were right when you said that the stockers are probably shot.  I ordered Progressive springs from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse, and can't wait till they arrive.