Fork problem

[arbakken]

So, when I got my bike, the fork seals were horribly blown, thus the suspension was terrible. I replaced the seals, and when I did, I used 15w oil, to firm up the forks a little extra. Now, it seems like they're maybe too stiff. I weigh 210 lbs. The only way I really get travel is if I bounce the front down with the brake on. When riding, it really doesn't move much. I wonder if the forks maybe aren't a little bent. They seem to move up and down okay, but it's tough to tell if they're binding

[Toecutter]

One thing you may want to double check is the amount of fork oil you put in.  If the tubes were sliding easily when you were doing the seal procedure, then they're probably not bent.

[Trwhouse]

Actually, there are a couple issues here.
First, while new heavier oil will make a slight improvement, if it is the diving you want to fix, you need to install new Progressive fork springs, too. Oil alone won't fix the front suspension on our beloved GS500s.
Second, if the front end is too stiff now and you have checked the fork oil and didn't put too much in (that will definitely cause it to be too stiff!), then yoou can loosen up all the fork bolts on the triple clamps and GENTLY twist the handlebars to be sure that there is no stiction in the front end. If anything is out of alignment, it can cuase sticking and friction (stiction), which will leave the front end unwilling to move up and down easily.
Once you confirm there is no stiction, retorque all the bolts and check it all again.
Good luck,
Trwhouse

[The Buddha]

OOoo ... that is a first ... but ditto on what everyone said.
Bent stuff typically will sink and not open back up. Just my experience with bent legs, but then again maybe where the bend is matters.
Cool.
Buddha.

[arbakken]

other tidbits I remembered: if when I compress the suspension, it doesn't come quite back to where it was unless I lift up. Also, I had a somewhat difficult time aligning the front fender and getting the front wheel in there... I think my forks are bent

[the mole]

Sounds like you need to pull the forks and dismantle them, check everything out. Easy job, and then you know what is wrong and can clean them up.

[beRto]

Sounds like you need to pull the forks and dismantle them, check everything out. Easy job, and then you know what is wrong and can clean them up.

Agreed.

On a related note, how did you measure the fork oil level when you refilled them? Oil level should be measured from the top of the fork tube, with the tube fully compressed and the spring removed.

[arbakken]

i didn't check the fluid level, but it was empty and I added the amount specified, which should be close enough to make it work right. I really don't want to take it apart again, at least not until I get back to school

[The Buddha]

That should be good, I always put the right quantity, not always to the right level.
Somehting is bent ... damping rod maybe if not upper leg. I have damping rods, Yours for say $10 and shipping. I got everythign off 1 set except upper legs. can I find it that is the $$$$ question. But Yea I think I can.
Cool.
Buddha.