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What would you do?

Started by Blippian, August 17, 2011, 04:04:18 PM

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Blippian

August 17, 2011, 04:04:18 PM Last Edit: August 17, 2011, 07:37:12 PM by Blippian
I put down my 1990 GS500El and my front forks are bent. The bike was purchased for $850 and is my first bike. Is it worth replacing or fixing the forks or is it time for a new (New as in new to me, not brand new) bike? What would you do?  :dunno_black:

ryott52

#1
August 17, 2011, 04:37:23 PM
Any other damage besides the forks? Like to the wheel, steering head, triples, or frame?
"Look at life early as a serious matter. Life is hard, it does not pamper anybody, and for every time it strokes you it gives you ten blows. Become accustomed to that soon, but don't let it defeat you. Decide to fight."

Blippian

#2
August 17, 2011, 04:52:02 PM Last Edit: August 17, 2011, 06:52:22 PM by Blippian
I believe the triple treefold is also bent, don't have a pro opinnion on that though. The handle bars are bent, but I already have a replacement for $30 and the Speedo/Tach cover is cracked.

Big Rich

#3
August 17, 2011, 05:38:00 PM
Keep an eye out here and on ebay for cheap replacements. A new bike will cost a lot more than new forks.

Make absolutely sure the neck of the frame isn't damaged first though.
83 GR650 (riding / rolling project)

It's opener there in the wide open air...

ryott52

#4
August 17, 2011, 06:09:43 PM
If it all checks out this could also be a great opportunity to upgrade your front end.
"Look at life early as a serious matter. Life is hard, it does not pamper anybody, and for every time it strokes you it gives you ten blows. Become accustomed to that soon, but don't let it defeat you. Decide to fight."

Blippian

#5
August 17, 2011, 07:06:20 PM
How much do forks usually go for? I will need two

Big Rich

#8
August 17, 2011, 09:04:13 PM
To my knowledge, nothing major changed in the forks. But wait for somebody else to chime in.
83 GR650 (riding / rolling project)

It's opener there in the wide open air...

adidasguy

#9
August 17, 2011, 09:09:18 PM
Reflector mountings are different. That's all. The "F" has reflectors on the forks rather than mounted from the tripple.
Nice to have an "E" and an "F" model in the cave to compare for differences.  ;)
Go for them - providing they are straight. I'd ask for a guarantee since he's parting out a 2009, and what's the reason for parting it out? What kind of crash was it in or did the engine blow? (Saw carbs for sale by him but not the engine or frame)

crzydood17

#10
August 17, 2011, 09:44:00 PM
Katana upgrade for the dual front discs is also a option.
2004 GS500F (Sold)
2001 GS500 (being torn apart)
1992 GS500E (being rebuilt)

Blippian

#11
August 17, 2011, 11:06:32 PM
Quote from: adidasguy on August 17, 2011, 09:09:18 PM
Reflector mountings are different. That's all. The "F" has reflectors on the forks rather than mounted from the tripple.
Nice to have an "E" and an "F" model in the cave to compare for differences.  ;)
Go for them - providing they are straight. I'd ask for a guarantee since he's parting out a 2009, and what's the reason for parting it out? What kind of crash was it in or did the engine blow? (Saw carbs for sale by him but not the engine or frame)
Thanks this is a great help! How about the triple treefold? Which years will fit?

adidasguy

#12
August 17, 2011, 11:53:14 PM
They all seem the same.
Are you sure you need to replace that? Those rarely get damaged. Or were you just asking if the forks would fit it OK?

Bullfrog

#13
August 18, 2011, 12:06:31 AM
I just checked the alpha-sports page and some offers on ebay. Looks like the brake fixing has different measures, plus they have different part-numbers.

@Adidasguy: Are you absolutely sure that the front forks fit his model?
  

Anaconda

#14
August 18, 2011, 12:28:19 AM
I am pretty sure all the forks are the same. this is a damn 23 year old model and the only things changed started in 04, ie. fairings/oil cooler/different body design.

adidasguy

#15
August 18, 2011, 12:51:54 AM
The brakes are a little different: banjo bolt threads (may have changed in 1997) and size of brake bleeder screw. Length of brake line is different depending on whether bike came with factory clip ons or not.

However, everything to do with the forks from what measurements I just took are the same - including spacing for brake caliper bolts. The new ones (2003+) have fittings for the reflectors because the triple is hidden under the fairing and the reflectors have to go somewhere.

Older fenders have that rubber thingy for the speedo cable where new fenders do not. Same for mud flap - old ones have it new ones don't (well, Suzi has one because I drilled the 2 holes in the plastic fender for it).

Fork brace same (Buddah knows that - he made them). Triples same. Many of us have put 89 top plate on new bikes for factory clip ons (perfect fit). No need to change top of triple. Stem bolt and instruments mount the same (even though tach is electronic). They did switch the 4 indicator lights to T-5's from T-10's. Instruments still use T-10's.

A clip here or there may be different depending on cable routing, headlight style and fairing, but that doesn't effect the forks or triples.

If there's any difference that means they don't fit, maybe someone knows what it is. There is nothing I know of or have measured that means the forks are not interchangeable (other than reflector mounting but you can ignore that).

Blippian

#16
August 18, 2011, 11:32:16 AM
Quote from: Blippian on August 17, 2011, 04:52:02 PM
I believe the triple treefold is also bent, don't have a pro opinnion on that though. The handle bars are bent, but I already have a replacement for $30 and the Speedo/Tach cover is cracked.
I'll get my mechanic to look at the triples before I think about replacing them for sure
Well, besides damage to the bike, I have sustained injuries preventing me from doing much of anything including work and don't have the money just yet to think about replacing the forks or the triples, if needed. Broke my right collar bone and broke my left hand's scaphoid bone. (Hair line fracture but still broke none the less) I got about 3 1/4 weeks before I'll be able to ride again. Appreciate the help and will post here again with news of how it turned out.  :cheers:

adidasguy

#17
August 18, 2011, 12:09:26 PM
Your top triple may be simply twisted out of position if the forks are bent. It wouldn't be damaged unless your top plate (that holds the bars) is also really damaged. Usually the bars bend, not the triples.

If you do need a top triple, I have a bunch. Have top plates for clip ons. Might have one for stock bars.

The bottom triple is a whole different story - extremely rare to damage. The steering stem and bearings are press fit into that. If that's damaged, just buy a whole new triple tree and replace the bearings. The bearing collars in the frame would them be damaged. That is sooooooooo unlikely to have happened unless you ran into a brick wall at 100mph. Then, still, probably just the forks and bars are bent. The triple and steering column is extremely tough.

Blippian

#18
August 18, 2011, 12:35:09 PM
I hit gravel at about 35-45MPH and slid under a guardrail. So from what you said they probably  have twisted  out of position.

adidasguy

#19
August 18, 2011, 01:18:38 PM
Get well soon and when you're ready to work on her, check here first for parts. (There are lots of parts whores around here.)
If you see a good deal on straight forks, get them. They don't go up for sale very often. As we know, that's the first thing to get bent in a crash.
If you need plastics, I've got a bunch.
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