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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: red_phil on July 12, 2004, 03:10:29 PM

Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: red_phil on July 12, 2004, 03:10:29 PM
I've got a UK 1994 model GS 500 E with adjustable pretension front shocks,
I believe they were standard in the UK bikes for a while.

Anyone know if they are any good?
or should I still be looking into beefing up the springs?
Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: JamesG on July 12, 2004, 04:01:58 PM
I tried to get ahold of a set of those spiffy 37mm adjustable caps for a while but gave up.  Don't know if you would have better luck since you're over there.
They would be nice to have to adjust the preload on the forks, but it won't fix if you have too light springs (ie: stock).
Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: red_phil on July 13, 2004, 01:51:07 AM
no, I've already got the preload adjusting caps already, they were onthe bike when I bought it. What I was wondering was does anybody know
if the UK shocks that came with these caps were any better than the US stock shocks? Or should I still be looking into either spacer blocks or progressive springs.
Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: conradvr on July 13, 2004, 04:45:28 PM
Aussie bikes also have the adjustable front preload as stock.   It is still worth putting in better progressive springs, when I did mine I didn't bother with any 3/4" spacers cause we have the adjustable preload caps.  Before even with max preload the front would dive on brakes but now she is a much much better handling bike and when I swap with my wife we just lower the preload :)

Cheers
Conrad
Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: JamesG on July 13, 2004, 05:45:34 PM
you lucky bastards suck.
:mrgreen:
Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: red_phil on July 15, 2004, 05:25:58 AM
Right so the general opinion is that the adjustors are good, but
best to fit a better spring sooner rather than later.

to JamesG:
I'll keep an eye out next time I'm at the bike breakers,
if I see a set I'll ask how much.
Title: UK adjustable front shocks. any good?
Post by: Richard UK on July 15, 2004, 01:31:36 PM
With or without adjusters, the GS's front suspension is crap.  The 37mm forks are just too skinny and flexible, the OEM springs are too weak, and the brace provided by the front mudguard mounting plate is too thin and bendy (watch for the mouting holes wearing in to an oval shape from all the twitching and movement that they suffer).  But it does keep the price down !