I need help! I just traded my 1981 GS750E for a 1995 GS500E. I used the GSResources website often.
My problem:
I installed progressive fork springs and 350ml of fork oil. I did not remove the fork legs, but used a mityvac to get out the old oil. One leg had about 200 ml and the other had about 325 ml. I looked up info here that said 370 ml so I put in 350ml subtracting because Progressive says that their springs displace more oil.
I put everything back together with .75 inch spacers. The forks now feel like they are in hydraulic lock. I can't get them to compress more than an inch and they feel hard as a rock.
I assume they have too much fluid although I am not sure. Does anyone know either the proper amount of oil for each fork or the appropriate oil level from the top of the fork with the fork extended?
I installed progressives in my forks. The instructions called out to measure the distance from the top of the fork tube to the fluid level. No springs and the tubes compressed to the shortest distance. I can't remember the accual measurment but it should be written in the instructions.
I probably will add some oil to give me a little more resistance. It's the air in the tubes that compress and give the shock it's dampening effect along with the srpings. Also the thickness of the fluid passing through the valves in the bottom also create resistance.
Let me know how it goes. Hope this helps a little.
Paul
Yes, what weight oil did you use? Over the weekend, 70Camguy and I installed 1 inch spacers on top of his Progressive springs and he ended up with very stiff forks with half an inch of sag, and he's got 7wt fork oil (the shop told him 5wt was stock. I forgot what shop that was.).
I used 15 wt fork oil. I read here that 10 wt was stock.
I went back out and looked at the fork oil levels inside the forks. The left fork had significantly more oil than the right. I made a measuring device from a coat hanger and measured the level on the right fork. I then used the mityvac to lower the level in the left fork. (I was doing this on the bike one leg at a time)
After I got the levels the same, the forks worked great. There was simply too much oil in the left fork for it to work. Now, there seems to be the right amount of fork resistance to bottoming, although I did not get a chance to really test it out. Too late at night, and too much rain.
The instructions for the progressives said the minimum distance between the top of the fork and the oil (with spring removed and fork collapsed) is 5.5 inches.
QuoteI just traded my 1981 GS750E for a 1995 GS500E
AAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wished to god i had never sold mine, i miss that damn bike so much. No it didnt handle like the katana 600, or gs500, but it was comforatble and could carry 500Lbs of humans and still act respectable. the TSCC engine was the best one i have ever worked on, it held up strong. and lots of grunt.
i will never find another like it as cheap as i got that one.
Would you feel better if I told ya that now you get to experience something new and different? Even if it's not perfect? But, it's newer?
I regret losing my little SRX250, after being the original owner of it for 14 years. But, if I hadn't blown a gasket and seized it , I wouldn't have experienced owning a GS500!