GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Endopotential on July 02, 2016, 06:26:19 PM

Title: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: Endopotential on July 02, 2016, 06:26:19 PM
I've got a 2007 GS500F where the fork caps have been mangled a bit by previous owner.

Wondering if the fork caps from 2001 and earlier would fit?  Past threads suggest not. 

Better yet, anyone got a set in good condition they'd care to sell me?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: Bluesmudge on July 05, 2016, 03:27:31 PM
I'm not sure if fork caps work between the different years, but I know you can buy eBay Chinese fork caps that have built in pre-load adjusters for not too much money.
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: Endopotential on July 29, 2016, 03:33:29 PM
Well, was able to answer my own question...

Ended up get a set of pretty nice but inexpensive end caps off of Ebay.  Unfortunately wasn't quite a perfect match to the one off my 2007 GS500F.

You guys with the older models - do your fork caps look different than the one on the top?
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Junk/IMG_1356_zpshevmm6mi.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Junk/IMG_1356_zpshevmm6mi.jpg.html)


With a lot of grinding, was able to make it work.  There is a lip higher up on the cap, which needed to be ground off to allow it to slide into the fork tube.

Also, the threaded section on the newer cap was too long.  The bottom end needed to be ground down into a taper, to allow it to slide beyond the limited threads in the fork tube.

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Presentation1_zpssaugltyh.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Presentation1_zpssaugltyh.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: grader on July 29, 2016, 09:34:53 PM
kind of risky grinding down the threads then hoping whats left threads into the fork, but you did it so that's good. if you could find a nut that size you could thread it on first and then grind, and when removing the nut it should clean up the threads. :thumb:
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: gregjet on July 30, 2016, 01:03:03 PM
I'm sure a machine shop would turn then down for not much. Or a useful friend with a lathe...
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: ShowBizWolf on April 10, 2018, 03:40:21 PM
Endo, thank you for the link to this in the other thread! Have you a link perhaps to these ones you found? I haven't had much luck searching on eBay myself :dunno_black:
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: Endopotential on April 10, 2018, 10:21:30 PM
I just typed in "GS 500 fork cap"

These look identical to the ones I got a couple years ago, and claim they fit our bikes
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Fork-Cap-Honda-CBR250-500-600-MC19-20-22-VF-VFR-750-VT250-Suzuki-GS500-33/352321374448?hash=item5207fd88f0:m:mmA3ktvPnZdYaytxBQi_oCg&vxp=mtr

32 smackeroos!
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: ShowBizWolf on April 10, 2018, 11:35:08 PM
Awe poot! Those are the exact ones I just bought and had to get a refund for because the threads are too big :cry: I tried to explain to the seller(s) about the fitment issue but idk if they fully understood lol
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: wightgs on April 11, 2018, 04:06:16 AM
Saw the adjustable fork caps and thought just what I need ....

But   Does not fit 5005 GS500f    or 2007


Ah well back to Ebay.

aw left the S off of saw
Title: Re: Fork cap compatibility?
Post by: qcbaker on April 11, 2018, 05:44:47 AM
I still have the stock forks from my 05. The tubes are bent up but the caps should still be good.