89 GS500 rusty fork caps need help

[MARider]

Hi, I dont know if any one else has had this problume but I just now removed the ruber caps that cover the fork caps and well they are a rusty. Any one know of a replacement ie hardware store pipe cap? or am I going to have to buy OEM one, I am soaking them in Blaster at the moment as I am scared to try and remove them as I may damage the fork or worst not get them out. Thank you for any help...I see why suzuki changed them from the half inch rachet type to a 19mm raised

[rexpepper651]

i checked ebay by part number 51351-01D00 and didnt find any in a quick search as i was already in the partzilla parts fiche. they are $33.18 us  a piece.

[MARider]

I saw that..I picked up the bike for 700 and only has 6400 miles on it..reg confirms this. I just am trying to be as, well cheap as possible on this project. If I do buy new ones I will go with the 1991 or newer caps as they are raised 19mm and not the stupid 1/2" they used on 89's. I have a shop near me that will media blast them for 5 bucks so I will see how they turn out and check the hardware store and prey. The bike is running a little rich and need a new air filter anyways so I am hoping a K&N lunchbox will take care of that. I am really enjoying this little bike and must say my dirt bikes are harder to work on then this. Thank you for your help by the way

[RichDesmond]

If you want new ones it'll have to be OEM, nothing from the hardware store is going to fit.

When you try to remove them:
First, make sure that you loosen the top triple clamp bolt, so that it's not clamping the fork cap threads. Second, don't try too hard with a plain wrench.
Third, if moderate force doesn't work, get a hand impact wrench (the  kind you hit with a hammer) and use that.

[MARider]

Thank for your help Richard. I got them off (3 foot log iron tube at the end of my ratchet) actually when perfect, took your advice on the top clamp. Threads look fine. seals on the top cap looks prefect not dry or cracked at all, I think they will be fine if I get them blasted. Do you work for sonicsprings?

[RichDesmond]

Thank for your help Richard. I got them off (3 foot log iron tube at the end of my ratchet) actually when perfect, took your advice on the top clamp. Threads look fine. seals on the top cap looks prefect not dry or cracked at all, I think they will be fine if I get them blasted. Do you work for sonicsprings?

Glad it worked out. 

I do work for Sonic Springs, let me know if you have any questions.

[MARider]

I do actually, I am 210 in full gear and will be commuting (on back roads as highways in MA are a good way to die) and also doing some spirited riding. Do you think .95 with 15w in the forks would be good? Also hope this doesn't sound dumb but on old bikes I have had I also just measured out oil and put it in, but on here I notice everyone mesures there fork oil from the top. Should the fork be compressed with out the spring in it when doing so? Thank you again Rich. Oh one more thing and I might be the only person that will say this. as I hear people say your website is hard to use and so on. I like it. As some one who grew up on the fact tat if your hard where store or local shop didn't have it you called and talked to a human and ordered something from a catalog...COD mind you. Oh I miss the days before facebook and people "tweeting" every thing about there life.

[RichDesmond]

I do actually, I am 210 in full gear and will be commuting (on back roads as highways in MA are a good way to die) and also doing some spirited riding. Do you think .95 with 15w in the forks would be good? Also hope this doesn't sound dumb but on old bikes I have had I also just measured out oil and put it in, but on here I notice everyone mesures there fork oil from the top. Should the fork be compressed with out the spring in it when doing so? Thank you again Rich. Oh one more thing and I might be the only person that will say this. as I hear people say your website is hard to use and so on. I like it. As some one who grew up on the fact tat if your hard where store or local shop didn't have it you called and talked to a human and ordered something from a catalog...COD mind you. Oh I miss the days before facebook and people "tweeting" every thing about there life.

I'd go with 0.90s and the 15w, the 0.95 are a bit much unless you're racing.

I hear ya on the other stuff. I remember ordering stuff from catalogs when you'd either have to do COD (bet there's a bunch of people here who don't know what that is. ) or get a money order and mail that off. Then you'd wait 3-4 weeks for parcel post delivery, with no order confirmation or tracking. It was like sending money off into the void.

[MARider]

I am only 30 but hell I am old school. I appreciate all the info Rich. You are the man sir and when my wife gives me the okay I will be ordering springs from you guys.