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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: suzukimx4789 on March 28, 2008, 05:18:27 PM

Title: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: suzukimx4789 on March 28, 2008, 05:18:27 PM
ok i'm not exactly a small guy  :icon_lol: and i find i bottom out easily in the front but anyone can push my front end down with some ease. now i was wondering is there a way i can just put a bigger spacer in for the spring  to stiffen it up?  the seals aren't leaking theres no oil coming out anywhere when held all the way down..  so how hard is it to put in spacers?   will it require me adding oil when i open the forks?  can i do this with the bike on the center stand tipped back? and how long of a spacer should i use?   aaaaaand is the rear shock adjustable?  i don't like how soft it is i want to have a slightly firmer suspension for when i have a passenger.... lol when i'm in my neighbor hood testing an tuning the bike i've had chicks ask me to give them a ride on it.  :thumb:
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: bucks1605 on March 28, 2008, 05:24:35 PM
Check out this link for adding spacers.

http://gstwin.com/making_fork_spacers.htm (http://gstwin.com/making_fork_spacers.htm)

The rear shock is adjustable, however, it still will be soft. I just bought a kat 600 rear shock off ebay for $25 shipped. It is direct replacement for the stock gs shock, and it is much stiffer.
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: suzukimx4789 on March 28, 2008, 05:30:35 PM
thank you bucks
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: bucks1605 on March 28, 2008, 05:33:16 PM
Let me know if you decide to buy a kat shock. I have a guy who is holding one for $25 shipped over on katriders.com     I expressed interest, but then bought one on ebay. So if you want it I'll give you a link and you can get it.
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: suzukimx4789 on March 28, 2008, 05:46:53 PM
HMM whats the advantages of the kat?
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: ben2go on March 28, 2008, 05:52:09 PM
I have Kat shock and front end.It rides and handles better.It's stiffer and does not bottom out.
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: bucks1605 on March 28, 2008, 05:53:29 PM
Not only does it provide a stiffer spring, but also allows rebound damping in addition to spring preload. The Katana shock will raise the tail end of the GS up about 1/2"-3/4" due to the longer length of the shock and the stiffer spring rate not allowing as much sag. You could try stiffening up your stock shock, if that is not stiff enough, than go with the kat shock. Here's some info from pablo's site

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id12.html (http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id12.html)
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: rnicholas on March 28, 2008, 09:11:54 PM
bucks, if max doesn't take the kat rear shock please PM me and I'll buy.
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: bucks1605 on March 28, 2008, 09:30:40 PM
Quote from: rnicholas on March 28, 2008, 09:11:54 PM
bucks, if max doesn't take the kat rear shock please PM me and I'll buy.

If he doesn't want it, I'll let you know.
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: RichDesmond on March 30, 2008, 09:15:25 AM
Quote from: suzukimx4789 on March 28, 2008, 05:18:27 PM
ok i'm not exactly a small guy  :icon_lol: and i find i bottom out easily in the front but anyone can push my front end down with some ease. now i was wondering is there a way i can just put a bigger spacer in for the spring  to stiffen it up?  the seals aren't leaking theres no oil coming out anywhere when held all the way down..  so how hard is it to put in spacers?   will it require me adding oil when i open the forks?  can i do this with the bike on the center stand tipped back? and how long of a spacer should i use?   aaaaaand is the rear shock adjustable?  i don't like how soft it is i want to have a slightly firmer suspension for when i have a passenger.... lol when i'm in my neighbor hood testing an tuning the bike i've had chicks ask me to give them a ride on it.  :thumb:
Adding spacers won't make the springs any stiffer. It will get your sag into a more reasonable area and help with the bottoming a little, you'll pick up  some harshness at the top of the stroke in exchange.
Title: Re: fork spring spacers? too soft of suspension for me
Post by: MikeNW on March 30, 2008, 02:19:43 PM
I added 3/4 PVC pipe caps (about 1" high) to my Shadow forks, it did wonders, stopped the sagging when you hit the front brakes.  And that was the limit, I could barely get the fork caps on.  Try it, if you don't like it, remove them.