Ok so... some of you guys may have seen my post about my troubles taking my wheel off to get to the forks... well, after further investigation, it appears one of the forks is slightly bent and must have caused the troubles. :icon_sad:
The fork that is bent is on the left when sitting on the bike (on the right when facing the front of it). Is there any way to just replace the top cylinder that attaches to the tree? If not, would anyone happen to have any super cheap forks that are in good condition (not bent) that would fit on a 96 gs500e? I'd even trade this fork that is slightly bent and some $$ for one that would work (as I don't have too much expendable cash laying around). I recently got this bike used and I was pulling these to replace the seals and springs and now I've come to find this out... really kills my weekend :(
Any help is greatly appreciated. You can also email me at zdeptawa at gmail dot com. Thanks again guys. :(
I have been able to straighten them if they are not awful.
Left fork on the bike I bought last year was also bent so I dont have left, have good right, and tops are the same so you could swap, however its less work to strighten yours, send me a pic. I'll tell you if it will straighten and how much it be $$$ approximately.
Cool.
Buddha.
Here are some pics (sorry for the quality, these were shot on my iphone this morning):
http://flickr.com/photos/zdeptawa/3325248481/
http://flickr.com/photos/zdeptawa/3325249477/
http://flickr.com/photos/zdeptawa/3325263029/
http://flickr.com/photos/zdeptawa/3326101712/
Is bending a fork back good though? Wouldn't that mean that there is stress in the metal from that point on? Also, if you have a right fork that you could sell me the top tube from, how much would it cost me to grab just that top tube from you (I live in San Antonio, TX - 78212). Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer me, my plans of getting on the road this weekend have been ruined since I've found this out. :(
oh yeah youve got a bent fork. im sure buddha will have a way to fix
20 bucks and shipping for top tube, and 90% of the work is taking it apart. Or I send the whole leg if I'm bored, you can pull it.
This can be straightened easy, 20 ton, V blocks, dial guage etc.
The thing is it will straighten out just fine, but the next crash if it involves stressing this leg, you will more than likely ripple the surface if its the same type. Its weaker because its brittle, not weaker in the way its gotten softer or whatever.
And this inpact could ahve bent the lower triple, and those cannot be fixed, if its bent, its trash.
Cool.
Buddha.
Buddha,
I'll take that right fork top tube (or whole thing if you don't feel like pulling it apart) for the $20 and shipping! Can you email me at zdeptawa at gmail dot com so we can coordinate this? Also, can you snap some pictures of that fork for me? If you can get me that top cylinder (or even the whole fork) I can just take all the parts to a shop to get them to go through pulling it and putting it on the other fork during the rebuild. Thanks a TON!
Oh, also, would you mind doing me a favor and checking the entire tube with a straight edge? I just want to be totally sure that its 100% straight if possible. I appreciate it!
No straightedge. How about my hand. No, a ruler ? a stick of DOM .88 OD/120 wall ?
Its straight dude, checked it before straightening that other one only to have it buckle and die.
OK here is a more important Q, what if its not the same as left ?
Let me yank it, I believe I pulled that left one, so when I get this apart, I can compare.
Please wait, I have to wait for the thaw. Maybe thursday.
Cool.
Buddha.
hes not super fast but if he says its good its good...huh buddha... :thumb: ;)
Awesome, no complaints here! I'll await your word. Again, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to do this for me. Thanks again!
Bent fork, you'll really have trouble eating ... :icon_mrgreen:
Cool.
Buddha.
Hahaha... when you asked for pictures of my forks initially, I was tempted to take a picture of my silverware drawer. ;) Thanks for all your help Buddha. Let me know when you're done pulling that tube. :D
Buddha,
Any news on that fork tube? Please let me know. (zdeptawa at gmail dot com) Thanks!
Searching for it tommorow.
Cool.
Buddha.
Thanks Buddha! Just let me know.
man, that's not bent, THIS is bent
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e386/biglu89/1028082029.jpg)
@jrains89 - Hahaha... that sucks bad man :D How'd that happen?
@Buddha - Any luck with finding that fork? Just checking, thanks!
Jrains - yours right is dead, left may be straightenable.
Mortuar - sorry haven't found it yet. I may have carted it off to storage. Noday I should ahve 1 hour of daylight to search in that, after that I may have it in this van/trailer of mine. but I'll let you know.
Cool.
Buddha.
those are the forks that came on my bike, it was wrecked when i bought it. I replaced them months ago but i still keep em around because they're awesome.
Buddha: Any luck? Please save me from this fork hell! :D
Today. Sunny when I get home and warm hopefully I'll get it found and ready to ship.
Yesterday was lost painitng shocks, tommorow is a powdercoating pickup and cold and rainy.
Today is your day.
Cool.
Buddha.
Freaking rain .. .bloody virago didn't start at work, I hitched a 85 mile ride from people I never knew, but your damn fork legs are in my evil hands now.
Pay up sucka ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on March 11, 2009, 07:39:51 PM
Freaking rain .. .bloody virago didn't start at work, I hitched a 85 mile ride from people I never knew
That sucks :o
You Rock! How much and where to? I live in the 78212 zip code. $20 plush shipping, right? Is this a pair of forks or what are we looking at? You can email me at zdeptawa at gmail dot com if you want and I can send via paypal. Again, thank you sooo much man. You have no idea how happy this makes me. :D x 100,000
Pair of what ... I dont have a spare pair of anything ... Its for the right leg, leg or the top slider ... your call. I believe the retaining nut on the bottom is already loose. You can get it off and yank it with ease or save a couple bucks shipping and I'll get it out and send you the top alone.
Cool.
Buddha.
Oh, you had said 'fork legs' so I was confused. If you would rather send the whole thing, that's fine... all I really need is the top tube - though I'm not sure how much work it would be for you to pull it. Just let me know total cost with shipping for whatever you'd like to send (zip code 78212) and where to send the money, I'm fine with it either way. Thanks again man!
Tube only, is much cheaper to ship, that whole leg will not fit in the USPS box either, its gonna be an oversized load.
I am all for getting out the tube and even if you do want the lower and other crap, I'll pack it into the tube (hopefully that should fit in the tube.
Its been split already and refitted or atleast that lower bolt is loose for sure.
Cool.
Buddha.
Awesome, well all I really need is the tube if it's cheaper to ship. If you want to send extra hardware, that's cool too - I don't need the spring or anything, just the part that is bent on mine. Let me know the total with shipping and what account to send it to. Thanks again Buddha!
How about 30 bucks. If its there or close I'll send it by tommorow. if its much more I'll get back to you and let you know and you decide.
Cool.
Buddha.
Sounds good! What account do I send the $30 to in paypal and I'll send it right away.
Buddha: hows that fork coming along? Thanks!
Monday shipping. Its freezing cold and pouring rain today and wifey decided I had to go furniture shopping.
But I will pack and mail 7:30 am monday.
Cool.
Buddha.
You rock! Thanks again! :D
Quote from: mortuar on March 14, 2009, 03:39:33 PM
You rock! Thanks again! :D
Sorry dude, this POS has a nice freaking rust pit and it will not be a worthwhile swap.
I'll shoot ya a refund. Last year I did over a dozen kat swaps and not one of the legs was worth buying except 1. I think they make GS500's with the mystery metal left over after they make parts for other bikes.
Cool.
Buddha.
Refund done.
Cool.
Buddha.
Dang! I'm going to need to find a fork asap. Sorry for wasting your time on pulling that fork Buddha, I appreciate it regardless. Back to searching for a replacement tube!
All, I'm still in dire need of a fork tube (stanchion) for a decent price. All I need is the driver's left side top fork tube as the one on the bike I picked up is slightly bent. Please send me a PM or email me at zdeptawa at gmail dot com if you happen to have one that isn't in bad shape (definitely not bent) that you're willing to part with for a good price. Thanks in advance.
No waste of time, would rather I had done this ahead of time, and then I'd have tossed it.
BTW yours can be straightened. I'd get it to my guy and see if he can if you want.
Cool.
Buddha.
i'm in the middle of a kat front end swap. i'm probably a week or 2 away from getting rid of it but i will be looking to sell the stock stuff when i'm done.
Any idea on the cost?
Damn, a new inner fork tube is $178 plus shipping, you'd think they were titanium. How'd you bend it? Watching a girl cross the street and rode into the back of a car?
I didn't bend it... I bought the bike and the previous owner said it has 'been down on both sides, nothing major, just cosmetic'. I looked as best I could at every part of the bike, and it appeared in awesome condition (minus scratches) so I bought it. The bend is so slight that an untrained eye (like mine) couldn't tell it was bent while it was on the bike. Someone save me! :(
i'll take some pic's of the forks for you. I'd like to sell them as a set so I don't have one just lying around. let me know if thats ok. if you pm me your email, i'll send em or just try posting them here.
I have a set of stock forks too if you still need them. Pm Sent!
Alright guys... I'm down to my last attempt. Does anyone have a single fork tube for a GS500 that they're willing to part with? I've had a few people message me but it's all falling through. I'd even be willing to pick up a complete set of stock forks for the front end for a decent price. Please help if you can! :icon_sad:
Front end swap!
Quote from: mortuar on March 24, 2009, 10:59:37 AM
Alright guys... I'm down to my last attempt. Does anyone have a single fork tube for a GS500 that they're willing to part with? I've had a few people message me but it's all falling through. I'd even be willing to pick up a complete set of stock forks for the front end for a decent price. Please help if you can! :icon_sad:
I'll straighten yours. Or -
You want kat FE stuff ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: mortuar on March 24, 2009, 10:59:37 AM
Alright guys... I'm down to my last attempt. Does anyone have a single fork tube for a GS500 that they're willing to part with? I've had a few people message me but it's all falling through. I'd even be willing to pick up a complete set of stock forks for the front end for a decent price. Please help if you can! :icon_sad:
Was BigShot's post what you wanted to find? (i.e. do you still need forks?)
It was exactly what I needed... but he decided not to sell them. I can't blame him though... they're hard to come by. :/ Also, I'm not looking to do a Kat FE swap... I had just bought tires and I'd rather keep it as stock as possible... so I'm pretty much stuck looking for a fork tube or a set of forks. :(
Kat swap uses your GS front wheel.
i want kat fe stuff is someones giving it awway...lol.. i know i know :cookoo:
If a Kat FE swap uses the front wheel that I have... does it use stock rotor and brake lines as well? Can someone give me a ballpark cost on the entire kat FE conversion (using as much of what I have as possible)?
It uses dual rotors from the katana. Buddha can give you all the details.
if i remember right when i was looking into doing the kat fe on mine i think buddha told me somethin like 400 bolt on ready (kinda) but then you have to send him your upper plate with good gauge cluster tabs not exactly 100% on that price but thats what i think he told me.
Its still 400, but I am not destroying the GS triple for those who buy a Kat FE from me ... Oops ...
OK,
I am making carriers. Bolt it on the Kat triple and bolt guages with grommets et al, right on to that. I only am making 10 of those and I plan on using them on my swap overs. These are damn complex bits. Small, but complex.
Stem machining is now the only mod needed to kat or GS FE's.
Cool.
Buddha.
I have one that i think is good if you still need it let me know i'll check to make sure it's straight it's the (R) hand side but like i said i'll have to make sure it's good
James :thumb:
this might help
used to be cheaper than factory
Frank's Maintenance and Engineering, Inc.
945 Pitner Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202
For more information, please call the office at 847-475-1003
Forking by Frank
We manufacture motorcycle fork-tubes. We carry past models from the 1950s through today's models. We stock over and under and stock lengths. There is no other after-market manufacturer of German, Spanish, or Japanese fork-tubes. We will ship worldwide.
Established 1966
Family Owned and Operated
*****
Hours of Operation
All hours are in US/CENTRAL Time Zone.
Monday 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Tuesday 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Wednesday 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Thursday 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Friday 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
From our talks i know that you're not leaning towards getting a upgraded FE, but i promised to update you when i listed the one i have for sale so...
Here it is http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=47191.0 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=47191.0)
Good luck buddy, Bob!
lol Big shot i remember that sale you got a damn buttload of good parts on that one
Hey guys! I found some forks.. they've been paid for and are on the way. I bought 3 total just in case there is anything wrong with any of them. I'm gonna take them (including my current forks) to my local suspension shop, hand him all 5 of em with the progressive springs i bought and say "Here you go. 5 GS500 forks... use these springs and parts from any of them to make me 2 usable forks." That should be pretty hilarious. :D
I'll keep you guys posted with how everything goes. Thanks so much for this BADASS forum helping me out every step of the way. I've met some awesome people who are willing to bend over backwards for a fellow GSer... and that's just how it should be - gotta watch eachother's backs. I'll probably have a bunch of left over parts I'll be posting once I'm done... Anyways, thanks sooooo freaking much. I should be back on the road in no time. :D :D :D
Oh, and Rich (ineedanap)... you're awesome. The tires are amazing and the 'buy 2 tires get free suspension stuff' promo was badass of you. I got the race tech parts in. Thanks so much man :D
Waaaa ... yea we're the coolest.
Cool.
Buddha.
Just wanted to update everyone on my progress. I've got alot of new parts on my bike and... the best part... I'm riding again - all thanks to the help this forum has given me!
*Here is what I've done so far:
AllBalls Steering bearings
Shorty blinkers (stock look, just short)
Superbike Handlebars
New levers (stock)
Black seat
New-ish BT-45s
Napolean bar-end mirrors
*Still to do:
New covers to both sides of the crank case
Progressive spring upgrade
Put the front fender back on :D
Here are some pics:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3438743276_b896a6608e.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3438748640_e8331911dc.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3438729652_2aed9ce14a.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3438738764_5f4ac4d4af.jpg?v=0)
That sticker under my plate says, "My bike doesn't leak it marks it's territory." :D :D :D :D :D
Comments? Suggestions? I'm debating on getting a windshield - I just like the way it looks, street-fighter-ish. :D